Monterey Traditional Latin Mass

The Original Account Of Our Lady Of Guadalupe: The Nican Mopohua Part 2

2011-12-11T11:24:00.000-08:00

Here is the account of the Apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Part 1 can be found here.

94 And on the following day, Monday, when Juan Diego was to take some sign in order to be believed, he did not return.

95 Because when he arrived at his house, the sickness had struck an uncle of his, named Juan Bernardino, and he was very ill.

96 He went to get the native healer, who treated him, but it was too late; he was very ill.

97 And when night came, his uncle begged him to come to Tlatilolco shortly after midnight, while it was still dark, to call some priest to go to confess him, to go to get him ready,

98 because he was sure that the time and place had now come for him to die, because he would no longer get up, he would no longer get well.

99 And on Tuesday, while it was still night, Juan Diego left his house to come to Tlatilolco to get the priest.

100 and when he finally reached the little hill which ended the mountain range, at its foot, where the road comes out, on the side that the sun sets on, where he always passed before, he said:

101 "If I go ahead on the road, I don’t want this Lady to see me, because for sure, just like before, she’ll stop me so I can take the sign to the church governor for her, as she ordered me to;

102 because first our tribulation must leave us; first I must quickly call the (Franciscan) priest; my uncle is anxiously waiting for him".

103 He immediately turned toward the hill, climbed up across it where there is a pass, and emerged on the eastern side, no that he could quickly to Mexico so that the Queen of Heaven would not detain him.

104 He thinks that where he made the turn, the one who is looking everywhere perfectly won’t be able to see him.

105 He saw how she was coming down from up on the hill, and that from there she had been looking at him, from where she saw him before.

106 She came to meet him beside the hill, she came to block his way; she said to him:

107 "WHAT’S HAPPENING, YOUNGEST AND DEAREST OF ALL MY SONS? WHERE ARE YOU GOING, WHERE ARE YOU HEADED FOR?"

108 And he, perhaps he grieved a little, or perhaps he became ashamed? Or perhaps he became afraid of the situation, be became fearful?

109 He prostrated himself before her, he greeted her, he said to her:

110 "My little Maiden, my smallest Daughter, my Girl, I hope you are happy; how are you this morning? Does your beloved little body feel well, my Lady, my Girl?

111 Although it grieves me, I will cause your face and your heart anguish: I must tell you, my little Girl, that one of your servants, my uncle, is very ill.

112 A terrible sickness has taken hold of him; he will surely die from it soon.

113 And now I shall go quickly to your little house of Mexico (Mexico-Tlatilolco), to call one of our priests, the beloved ones of Our Lord, so that he will go to hear his confession and prepare him,

114 Because we really were born for that we who came to wait for the painful effort of our death.

115 But, if I am going to carry it out, I will return here after that to go carry your breath, your word, Lady, my little Young one.

116 I beg you to forgive me, be patient with me a little longer, because I am not deceiving you with this, my youngest Daughter, my little Girl, tomorrow without fail I will come as fast as possible".

117 As soon as she heard the explanations of Juan Diego, the Merciful Perfect Virgin answered him: .

118 "LISTEN. PUT IT INTO YOUR HEART, MY YOUNGEST AND DEAREST SON, THAT THE THING THAT FRIGHTENED YOU, THE THING THAT AFFLICTED YOU IS NOTHING: DO NOT LET IT DISTURB YOU: DO NOT FEAR THIS SICKNESS NOR ANY OTHER SICKNESS, NOR ANY SHARP AND HURTFUL THING. .

119 AM I NOT HERE, I, WHO AM YOUR MOTHER? ARE YOU NOT UNDER MY SHADOW AND PROTECTION? AM I NOT THE SOURCE OF YOUR JOY? ARE YOU NOT IN THE HOLLOW OF MY MANTLE, IN THE CROSSING OF MY ARMS? DO YOU NEED SOMETHING MORE? .

120 LET NOTHING ELSE WORRY YOU, DISTURB YOU; DO NOT LET YOUR UNCLE’S ILLNESS PRESSURE YOU WITH GRIEF, BECAUSE HE WILL NOT DIE OF IT NOW. YOU MAY BE CERTAIN THAT HE IS ALREADY WELL". .

121 (And at that very moment his uncle became well, as they later found out). .

122 An when Juan Diego heard the lovely word, the lovely breath of the Queen of Heaven, he was greatly comforted by it, his heart became peaceful. .

123 and he begged her to send him immediately to see the Governing Bishop, to take him something for a sign, for proof so that he would believe. .

124 And the Queen of Heaven ordered him then to go to the top of the little hill, where he had seen her before: .

125 She said to him: "GO UP, MY DEAREST SON, TO THE TOP OF THE HILL, TO WHERE YOU SAW ME AND I TOLD YOU WHAT TO DO; .

126 THERE YOU WILL SEE THAT THERE ARE DIFFERENT KINDS OF FLOWERS: CUT THEM, GATHER THEM, PUT THEM ALL TOGETHER; THEN COME DOWN HERE; BRING THEM HERE, INTO MY PRESENCE." .

127 Juan Diego climbed to the top the top of the hill right away. 128 and when he reached the top, he was astonished by all of them, blooming, open, flowers of every kind, lovely and beautiful, when it still was not their season: .

129 because really that was the season n which the frost was very harsh: .

130 they were giving off an extremely soft fragrance; like precious pearls, as if filled with the dew of the night. .

131 Then he began to cut them, he gathered them all, he put them in the hollow of his tilma. .

132 The top of the little hill was certainly not a place in which any flowers grew; there are only plenty of rocks, thorns, spines, prickly pears and mesquite trees, .

133 And even though some little herbs or grasses might grow, it was then the month of December, in which the frost eats everything up and destroys it. .

134 And immediately he came back down, he came to bring the Heavenly Maiden the different kinds of flowers which he had gone up to cut. .

135 And when she saw them, she took them with her precious hands; .

136 Then she put them all together into the hollow of his ayate again and said: .

137 "MY YOUNGEST AND DEAREST SON, THESE DIFFERENT KINDS OF FLOWERS ARE THE PROOF, THE SIGN THAT YOU WILL TAKE TO THE BISHOP; .

138 YOU WILL TELL HIM FROM ME THA HE IS TO SEE IN THEM MY DESIRE, AND THAT THEREFORE HE IS TO CARRY OUT MY WISH, MY WILL. .

139 AND YOU, YOU WHO ARE MY MESSENGER, IN YOU I PLACE MY ABSOLUTE TRUST; .

140 AND I STRICTLY ORDER YOU THAT YOU ONLY OPEN YOUR AYATE ALONE IN THE PRESENCE OF THE BISHOP, AND SHOW HIM WHAT YOU ARE CARRYING. .

141 AND YOU WILL TELL HIM EVERYTHING EXACTLY, YOU WILL TELL HIM THAT I ORDERED YOU TO CLIMB TO THE TOP OF THE LITTLE HILL TO CUT FLOWERS, AND EVERYTHING THAT YOU SAW AND ADMIRED, .

142 SO THAT YOU CAN CONVINCE THE GOVERNING PRIEST, SO THAT HE WILL THEN DO WHAT LIES WITHIN HIS RESPONSIBILITY SO THAT MY TEMPLE WHICH I HAVE ASKED HIM FOR WILL BE MADE, WILL BE RAISED." .

143 And as soon as the Heavenly Queen gave him her orders, he took the causeway, he comes straight to Mexico City, he comes happily now. .

144 His heart is tranquil now, because his errand will come out well, he will carry it our perfectly. .

145 Along the way, he is very careful of what is in the hollow of his garment, lest he lose something: .

146 As he comes, he enjoys the fragrance of the different kinds of exquisite flowers. .

147 When he arrived at the Bishop’s residence, the doorkeeper and the other servants of the Governing Priest went to meet him. .

148 and he begged them to tell him how much he wanted to see him, but none of them was willing; they pretended they didn’t understand him, or perhaps because it was still very dark; .

149 or perhaps because they felt by now that all he did was bother them and keep on insisting, .

150 and their companions had already told them, the ones who lost him from sight when they were following him. .

151 For a long, long time he waited for his request to be granted. 152 And when they saw that he was simply standing there for a long, long time with his head down, without doing anything, in case he should be called, and that it looked as if he was carrying something, as if he was bringing it in the hollow of his tilma – then they came up close to him to see what he was bringing and thus satisfy their curiosity. .

153 And when Juan Diego saw that there was no way in which he could hide from them what he was carrying and that therefore they might harass him or push him perhaps rough him and the flowers up, he finally gave them a little peek and they say that it was flowers. .

154 And when they say that they were all exquisite different flowers and that it wasn’t the season for them to be blooming, they were very, very astonished by how fresh they were, how good they smelled, how handsome they seemed. .

155 And they wanted to grab and pull a few out; .

156 They dared to try to grab them three times, but there was no way in which they could do it, .

157 because when they would try, they could no longer see the flowers, they saw them as if they were painted or embroidered or sewn on the tilma. .

158 They went immediately to tell the Governing Bishop what they had seen, .

159 and how much the lowly Indian who had come other times wanted to see him, and that he had been waiting a very long time there for permission, because he wanted to see him. .

160 And as soon as the Governing Bishop heard it, he realized that this was the proof to convince him to get started on what the humble man was asking him for. .

161 He immediately ordered that he come in to see him. .

162 And when he had come in, he prostrated himself in his presence, as he had done before. .

163 And again he told him what he had seen and admired, and his message. .

164 He said to him, "Your Excellency, sir, I have done it. I have carried out your orders, .

165 That is, I went to tell my Mistress, the Heavenly Maiden, Holy Mary, the Beloved Mother of God, that you were asking for proof so you could believe me, so that you would make her sacred little house, where she as asking you to build it; 166 And I also told her that I had given you my word to come to bring you some sign, some proof of her will, as you told me to. .

167 And she listened carefully to your breath, your word, and was pleased to receive your request for the sign, the proof, so that her beloved will can be done, can be carried out. .

168 And today, while it was still night, she ordered me to come again to see you; .

169 and I asked her for the proof so that I would be believed, as she had said that she would give it to me, and she kept her promise immediately. .

170 And she ordered me to the top of the little hill where I had seen her before, to cut different flowers up there; Castillian roses. .

171 And when I had cut them, I took them down to her at the bottom; .

172 and she took them with her holy hands, .

173 again she placed them in the hollow of my ayate, .

174 so that I would bring them to you, so I would give them only to you. .

175 Although I knew very well that the top of the hill isn’t a place where flowers grow, because there are only a lot of craggy rocks, thorns, spiny acacias, prickly pears, mesquite bushes. I didn’t doubt because of that, I didn’t hesitate because of that. .

176 When I reached the top of the hill I saw that it was now paradise. .

177 Every kind of different precious flowers were there, each one perfect, the very finest that there are, full of dew and shining so I immediately cut them; .

178 and she told me that I should give them to you from her, and that in this way I would show the truth; that your should see the sign that you were asking for in order to carry our her beloved will, .

179 and so that it will be clear that my word, my message, is truth, .

180 here they are; please receive them." .

181 And then he held out his white tilma, in the hollow of which he had placed the flowers. .

182 And just as all the different precious flowers fell to the floor, .

183 then and there the beloved Image of the Perfect Virgin Holy Mary, Mother of God, became the sign, suddenly appeared in the form and figure in which it is now, .

184 where it is preserved in her beloved little house, in her sacred little house at Tepeyac, which is called Guadalupe. .

185 And as soon as the Governing Bishop and all those who were there saw it, they knelt, they were full of awe and reverence. .

186 They stood up to see it, they became sad, they wept, their hearts and minds were in ecstasy. .

187 And the Governing Bishop weeping and with sadness begged and asked her to forgive him for not having immediately carried out her will, her holy breath, her holy word. .

188 And when he got up, he untied Juan Diego’s garment, his tilma, from his neck where it was tied. .

189 On which the Heavenly Queen appeared, on which she became the sign. .

190 And then he took it and placed it in his private chapel. .

191 And Juan Diego still stayed for the day in the Bishop’s house, he still kept him there. 192 And on the next day he said to him: "Come, let’s go so you can show where is that the Queen of Heaven wants her chapel built." .

193 People were immediately invited to make it, to build it. .

194 And Juan Diego, as soon as he showed where the Lady of Heaven had ordered her sacred little house to be built, asked for permission: .

195 he wanted to go to his house in order to see his uncle, Juan Bernardino, who was very ill when he left him to go to Tlatilolco to call a priest to confess him and prepare him, the one whom the Queen of Heaven had told him had already been cured. .

196 But they didn’t let him go alone, rather people went with him to his house. .

197 And when they arrived they saw that his uncle was now healthy; he had absolutely no pain of any kind. .

198 And he, for his part, was greatly surprised by the way in which his nephew was accompanied and very honored; .

199 he asked his nephew why it was that they were honoring him so much; .

200 and he told him how, when he left to go call a priest for him who would confess him and prepare him, the Lady of Heaven appeared to him there at Tepeyac; 201 and she sent him to Mexico City to see the Governing Bishop, so that he would make her a house at Tepeyac. .

202 And she told him not to worry, because his uncle was now happy, and she consoled him very much with this news. .

203 His uncle told him that it was true, that she healed him at that exact moment, .

204 And he saw her in exactly the same way she had appeared to his nephew, .

205 and she told him that she was also sending him to Mexico City to see the Bishop; .

206 and also that when he went to see him, he should reveal absolutely everything to him, he should tell him what he had seen .

207 and the marvelous way in which she had healed him, .

208 and that he would properly name her beloved Image thus: THE PERFECT VIRGIN, HOLY MARY OF GUADALUPE. .

209 And then they brought Juan Bernardino into the presence of the Governing Bishop, they brought him to speak with him, to give his testimony, .

210 and together with his nephew Juan Diego, the Bishop lodged them in his house for a few days. .

211 While the sacred little house of the lovely Little Queen was built out there at Tepeyac, where she revealed herself to Juan Diego. .

212 And the Reverend Bishop moved the beloved Image of the Beloved Heavenly Maiden to the principal church. .

213 He took her beloved Image from his residence, from his private chapel in which it was, so that all could see it and admire it. .

214 And absolutely this entire city with no exception, was deeply moved as everyone came to see and admire her precious Image. .

215 They came to acknowledge its divine character. .

216 They came to offer her their payers. .

217 They marveled at the miraculous way it had appeared..

218 since absolutely no one on earth had painted her beloved Image.

The Original Account Of Our Lady Of Guadalupe: The Nican Mopohua

2011-12-11T06:23:00.001-08:00

The earliest account of the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe dates from 1556. It was written almost completely in Nahautl, the language of the Aztecs, by Fr. Luis Laso de la Vega, Vicar of the Shrine of of Guadalupe. Original copies can be found in the New york Public Library, and the National Library of Mexico. What follows is part one of the story right up until the miraculous image on the Tilma of Juan Diego.

NICAN MOPOHUA
("HERE IS TOLD") and set down in order how a short time ago the Perfect Virgin Holy May Mother of God, our Queen, miraculously appeared out at Tepeyac, widely known as Guadalupe.

First She caused herself to be seen by an Indian named Juan Diego, poor but worthy of respect; and then her Precious Image appeared before the recently named Bishop, Don Fray Juan de Zumárraga.

1 Ten years after the City of Mexico was conquered, with the arrows and shields put aside, when there was peace in all the towns,

2 just as it sprouted, faith now grows green, now opens its corolla, the knowledge of the One by whom we all live: the true God.

3 At that time, the year 1531, a few days into the month of December, it happened that there was a humble but respected Indian, a poor man of the people;

4 his name was Juan Diego; he lived in Cuauhtitlán, as they say.

5 and in all the things of God, he belonged to Tlaltilolco.

6 It was Saturday, not yet dawn; he was coming in pursuit of God and his commandments.

7 And as he drew near the little hill called Tepeyac it was beginning to dawn.

8 He heard singing on the little hill, like the song of many precious birds; when their voices would stop, it was as if the hill were answering them; extremely soft and delightful, their songs exceeded the songs of the coyoltotl and the tzinitzcan and other precious birds.

9 Juan Diego stopped to look. He said to himself: "By any chance am I worthy, have I deserved what I hear? Perhaps I am only dreaming it? Perhaps I’m only dozing?.

10 Where am I? Where do I find myself? Is it possible that I am in the place our ancient ancestors, our grandparents, told about, in the land of the flowers, in the land of corn, of our flesh, of our sustenance, possible in the land of heaven?".

11 He was looking up toward the top of the hill, toward the direction the sun rises from, toward where the precious heavenly song was coming from.

12 And then when the singing suddenly stopped, when it could no longer be heard, he heard someone calling him, from the top of the hill, someone was saying to him: "JUAN, DEAREST JUAN DIEGO."

13 Then he dated to go to where the voice was coming from, his heart was not disturbed and he felt extremely happy and contented, he started to climb to the top of the little hill to go see where they were calling him from..

14 And when he reached the top of the hill, when a Maiden who was standing there say him,

15 She called to him to come close to her.

16 16 Ant when he reached where she was, he was filled with admiration for the way her perfect grandeur exceeded all imagination:

17 her clothing was shining like the sun, as if it were sending out waves of light,

18 and the stone, the crag on which she stood, seemed to be giving out rays;

19 her radiance was like precious stones, it seemed like an exquisite bracelet (it seemed beautiful beyond anything else);

20 the earth seemed to shine with the brilliance of a rainbow in the mist.

21 And the mesquites and nopals and the other little plants that are generally up there seemed like emeralds. Their leaves seemed like turquoise. And their trunks, their thorns, their prickles, were shining like gold.

22 He prostrated himself en her presence. He listened to her voice [her breath], her words, which give great, great glory, which were extremely kind, as if from someone who was drawing him toward her and esteemed him highly.

23 She said to him, "LISTEN, MY DEAREST AND YOUNGEST SON, JUAN. WHERE ARE YOU GOING?"

24 And he answered her: "My Lady, my Queen, my Little Girl, I am going as far as your little house in Mexico-Tlatilolco, to follow the things of God (everything that makes God be God) that are given to us, that are taught to us by the ones who are the images of Our Lord: our priests."

25 Then she talks with him, she reveals her precious will;

26 then she says to hem: "KNOW, KNOW FOR SURE, MY DEAREST AND YOUNGEST SON, THAT I AM THE PERFECT EVER VIRGIN HOLY MARY, MOTHER OF THE ONE GREAT GOD OF TRUTH WHO GIVES US LIFE, THE INVENTOR AND CREATOR OF PEOPLE. THE OWNER AND LORD OF WHAT IS AROUND US AND WHAT IS TOUCHING US OR VERY CLOSE TO US THE OWNER AND LORD OF THE SKY, THE LORD OF THE EARTH. I WANT VERY MUCH THAT THEY BUILD MY SACRED LITTLE HOUSE HERE.

27 IN WHICH I WILL SHOW HIM, I WILL EXALT HIM ON MAKING HIM MANIFEST:

28 I WILL GIVE HIM TO THE PEOPLE IN ALL MY PERSONAL LOVE, IN MY COMPASSIONATE GAZE, IN MY HELP, IN MY SALVATION:

29 BECAUSE I AM TRULY YOUR COMPASSIONATE MOTHER,

30 YOURS AND OF ALL THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE TOGETHER IN THIS LAND,

31 AND OF ALL THE OTHER PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT ANCESTRIES, MY LOVERS, THOSE WHO CRY TO ME, THOSE WHO SEEK ME, THOSE WHO TRUST IN ME,

32 BECAUSE THERE I WILL LISTEN TO THEIR WEEPING, THEIR SADNESS, TO REMEDY, TO CLEANSE AND NURSE ALL THEIR DIFFERENT TROUBLES, THEIR MISERIES, THEIR SUFFERING.

33 AND TO BRING ABOUT WHAT MY COMPASSIONATE AND MERCIFUL GAZE IS TRYING TO DO, GO TO THE RESIDENCE OF THE BISHOP OF MEXICO, AND YOU WILL TELL HIM HOW I AM SENDING YOU, SO THAT YOU MAY REVEAL TO HIM THAT I VERY MUCH WANT HIM TO BUILD ME A HOUSE HERE, TO ERECT MY TEMPLE FOR ME ON THE PLAIN; YOU WILL TELL HIM EVERYTHING, ALL THAT YOU HAVE SEEN AND MARVELED AT, AND WHAT YOU HAVE HEARD.

34 AND KNOW FOR SURE THAT I WILL APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH AND REWARD IT,

35 THAT BECAUSE OF IT I WILL ENRICH YOU, I WILL GLORIFY YOU;

36 AND BECAUSE OF IT YOU WILL DESERVE VERY MUCH THE WAY THAT I REWARD YOUR FATIGUE, YOUR SERVICE IN GOING TO REQUEST THE MATTER THAT I AM SENDING YOU FOR.

37 NOW, MY DEAREST SON, YOU HAVE HEARD MY BREATH, MY WORD: GO, DO WHAT YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR (IN THIS EFFORT)."

38 And immediately he prostrated himself in her presence; he said to her: "My Lady, my Little Girl, now I am going to make your venerable breath, your venerable word, a reality; I, your poor Indian, am leaving you for a while."

39 Then he came down (the hill) to put her errand into action: he came to get onto the causeway, he comes straight to Mexico City.

40 When he reached the center of the city, he went straight to the palace of the Bishop, the Governing Priest, who had just recently arrived; his name was Don Fray Juan de Zumárraga, a Franciscan Priest.

41 And as soon as he got there, he then tries to see him, he begs his servants, his helpers, to go and tell him he needs to see him;

42 after a long time, when the Reverend Bishop ordered that he enter, they came to call him;

43 And as soon as he entered, first he knelt before him, he prostrated himself, then he reveals to him, he tells him the precious breath, the precious word of the Queen of Heaven, her message, and he also tells him everything that made his marvel, what he saw, what he heard.

44 And having heard his whole story, his message, as if he didn’t particularly believe it to be true,

45 he answered him, he said to him: "My son, you will come again. I will still hear you calmly, I will look at it carefully from the very beginning, I will consider the reason why your have come, your will, your desire".

46 He left; he came our sad, because the errand entrusted to him was not immediately accepted.

47 Then he returned, at the end of the day, then he came straight from there to the top of the little hill,

48 and he had the joy of meeting the Queen of Heaven: there exactly where she had appeared to him the fist time, she was waiting for him.

49 As soon as he saw her, he prostrated himself before her, he threw himself to the ground, he said to her:

50 "My dear little Mistress, Lady Queen, my littlest Daughter, my dear little Girl. I did go to where you sent me to carry our your dear breath, your dear word; although I entered with difficulty to where the place is of the Governing Priest, I saw him, I put your breath, your word, before him, as you ordered me to.

51 He received me kindly and he listened to it perfectly, but from the way ha answered me, it’s as if he didn’t understand it, he doesn’t think it’s true.

52 He said to me: "You will come again: I will still listen to you calmly, I will look well to what you have come for, from the very beginning, to your desire, your will.

53 The way he answered me, I could clearly see that he thinks your house that you want them to build for you here, maybe I’m only making it up, or that maybe it is not from your lips.

54 I beg you, my Lady, Queen, my little girl, to have one of the nobles who are held in esteem, one who is known, respected, honored, (have him) carry, take your dear breath, your dear word, so that he will be believed.

55 Because I am really (just) a man from the country, I am a (porter’s) rope I am a backframe, a tail, a wing, a man of no importance: I myself need to be led, carried on someone’s back, that place your are sending me to is a place where I’m not used to going to or spending any time in, my little Virgin, my Youngest Daughter, my Lady, Little girl;

56 please excuse me: I will grieve your face, your heart; I will fall into your anger, into your displeasure, my Lady, my Mistress."

57 The Perfect Virgin, worthy of honor and veneration, answered him:

58 "LISTEN, MY YOUNGEST AND DEAREST SON, KNOW FOR SURE THAT I HAVE NO LACK OF SERVANTS, OF MESSENGERS, TO WHOM I CAN GIVE THE TASK OF CARRYING MY BREATH, MY WORD, SO THAT THEY CARRY OUT MY WILL;

59 BUT IT IS VERY NECESSARY THAT YOU, PERSONALLY, GO AND PLEAD, THAT MY WISH, MY WILL, BECOME A REALITY, BE CARRIED OUT THROUGH YOUR INTERCESSION.

60 AND I BEG YOU, MY YOUNGEST AND DEAREST SON AND I ORDER YOU STRICTLY TO GO AGAIN TOMORROW TO SEE THE BISHOP.

61 AND IN MY NAME MAKE HIM KNOW, MAKE HIM HEAR MY WISH, MY WILL, SO THAT HE WILL BRING INTO BEING, HE WILL BUILD MY HOUSE OF GOD THAT I AM ASKING HIM FOR.

62 AND CAREFULLY TELL HIM AGAIN HOW I, PERSONALLY, THE EVER VIRGIN HOLY MARY, I, WHO AM THE MOTHER OF GOD, AM SENDING YOU."

63 For his part, Juan Diego responded to her and said to her "My Lady, Queen, my Little Girl, let me not give you anguish, let me not grieve your face, your heart. I will most gladly go to carry out your breath, your word; I will absolutely not fail to do it, nor do I think the road is painful.

64 I will go and carry out your will, but perhaps I won’t be heard, and if I am heard, perhaps I won’t be believed.

65 Tomorrow afternoon, when the sun goes down, I will come to return to your word, to your breath, what the Governing Priest answers to me.

66 Now, I respectfully say goodbye to you, my youngest Daughter, young Girl, Lady, my Little Girl, rest a little more."

67 And then he went to his house to rest.

68 On the following day, Sunday, while it was still night, everything was still dark, he left there, he left his house, he came straight to Tlatilolco, he came to learn what pertains to God and to be counted in roll call; then to see the Reverend Bishop.

69 And around ten o’clock everything had been taken care of: Mass was over and roll had been called and the crowd had gone away.

70 And Juan Diego went to the Reverend Bishop’s residence.

71 And as soon as he arrived he went through the whole struggle to see him, and after much effort he saw him again;

72 he knelt at his feet, he wept, he became sad as he spoke to him, as he revealed to him the word, the breath of the Queen of Heaven.

73 that would to God the errand, the will, of the Perfect Virgin would be believed, of making for her, of building her sacred little house for her, where she had said, where she wanted it.

74 And the Governing Bishop asked him many, many things, pursued many, many, questions with him, to make certain of where he had seen her, what She was like; he told absolutely everything to the Lord Bishop.

75 And although he told him absolutely everything, and that in everything, he saw and marveled that it appeared with absolute clarity that she was the Perfect Virgin, the Kind and Wondrous Mother of Our Savior, Our Lord Jesus Christ,

76 nevertheless, it still didn’t happen (his message was still not believed).

77 He said that not simply because of his word would his petition be carried out, would what he asked for happen.

78 That some other sign was very necessary if he was to believe how the Queen of Heaven in person was sending him.

79 As soon as Juan Diego heard that, he said to the Bishop:

80 "Señor Governor, think about what the sign you ask for will be, because then I will go to ask for it of the Queen of Heaven who sent me."

81 And when the Bishop saw that he was in agreement, that he did not hesitate or doubt in the slightest, he dismisses him.

82 And as soon as he is on his way, he orders some of house-hold staff in whom he had absolute trust to go along following him, to carefully observe where he was going, whom he was seeing, to whom he was talking.

83 And that’s what they did. And Juan Diego came directly. He took the causeway.

84 And those who were following him lost him on the wooden bridge where the brook comes out near Tepeyac. And even though they searched all over for him, they couldn’t find him anywhere.

85 And so they turned back. He made them angry, not just because they had made terrible fools of themselves, but also because he had frustrated their attempt.

86 So they went to tell the Lord Bishop, they put into his head that he shouldn’t believe him, they told him how he was only telling him lies, that he was only making up what he came to tell him, or that he was only dreaming or imagining what he was telling him, what he was asking of him.

87 Therefore they decided that if he came again, if he returned, they would grab him right there and would punish him severely, so that he would never come again to tell lies or get the people all excited.

88 Meanwhile, Juan Diego was with the Most Holy Virgin, telling her the response that he was bringing from the Lord Bishop;

89 when she had heard it, she said to him:

90 "THAT’S FINE, MY DEAR SON, YOU WILL COME BACK HERE TOMORROW SO THAT YOU MAY TAKE THE BISHOP THE SIGN HE HAS ASKED YOU FOR;

91 WITH THIS HE WILL BELIEVE YOU, AND HE WILL NO LONGER HAVE ANY DOUBTS ABOUT ALL THIS AND HE WILL NO LONGER BE SUSPICIOUS OF YOU; 92 AND KNOW, MY DEAR SON, THAT I WILL REWARD YOU CARE AND THE WORK AND FATIGUE THAT YOU HAVE PUT INTO THIS FOR Me.

93 SO, GO NOW: I WILL BE WAITING HERE FOR YOU TOMORROW."

Part 2 to follow! at 5 AM, December 12th, the hour of the apparition!

Go here for part 2.

Our Lady Of Guadalupe, Part 2

2011-12-10T11:59:00.000-08:00

For part one, you can go here.

Updated: Thre is also a previous post earlier this week on Our Lady of Guadalupe and the painting of the Mona Lisa. It can be found here.

Let us look at the image of Guadalupe as an icon, for that is how the Aztecs saw the image that our Blessed Lady left us. They saw that the the image had many messages that spoke to them, and could just speak to us today in our world that reflects theirs in so many troubling ways.

1. In front of the Sun. Our Lady is standing in front of the Sun. The god Huitzilopochtli was the Sun god (It was to Huitzilopochtli that people would be sacrificed to, children included, by having their hearts torn out while alive, and then stuffed into the mouth of Huitzilopochtli). Huitzilopochtli was the one of the highest ranking gods, yet Our lady is standing right in front of the Sun, indicating that she is greater than the sun god. Read Apocalypse 12, where it talks of the lady clothed with the Sun. This leads directly into #2...

2. Orientation of the eyes. The Aztec gods would typically be looking right at you in the statues that were built of them. They had this fearsome look that directly reflected their brutality. Our Lady is standing in front of a fearsome god, yet she is looking down. When a statue of an Aztec god looked down, it was because there was a greater god present. Our Lady is telling us that even though she is greater than Huitzilopochtli, there is one even greater than herself, and sh is in the presence of him. Her eyes also appear to be gentle, loving. There will be more on the eyes later.

3. On top of the Moon. The hill on which Our lady appeared is called Tepeyac, and had been dedicated to the Moon goddess Tonantzin. She was a goddess that would on the surface would seem to be sympathetic, as she lamented that so many of her children were lost. She was also the goddess of corn and was one of the very few Aztec gods or goddesses that was satisfied with the sacrifices of doves, swallows, and other birds. Again, refer to Apocalypse 12, with regards to the woman with the moon beneath her feet.

4. The Angel. The Aztecs also believed in messengers from the gods, what we would call angels. In the Aztec culture, only a King, a Queen (who were seen as living gods), or another royal dignitary would be carried upon the shoulders of another. That an Angel would carry someone who is not a God was seen as bringing a new age. She is being carried by an angel, yet she is in supplication to another. She is seen, however, as royalty. After all, we know that her son is the King of the Universe.

5. The Hands. Her hands are held together in supplication, in prayer. Certainly this was not a typical Aztec posture. One god may have yielded to another, but it was not because they wanted to. They did it because the other god was much stronger. Our lady's hands are in supplication to one who is greater.

6. Her belt. This belt or girdle would be seen by the Aztecs as a sign of virginity. However, the way that it is tied wold make it seem like the four petaled flower called Nahui Ollin. This flower was called the Flower of the Sun, and was used in the ceremonies to end the 52 year Aztec calendar cycle. Every 52 years, the world would be born anew. In other words, the way the belt looks, it indicates that a new age is coming, and that Our lady is pregnant by the position of the belt and the Nahui Ollin.

7. Her Mantle. We are used to having Purple referred to as the royal colour. To the Aztecs, turqouise, or the Teal she is wearing is the royal colour. That she is wearing this colour indicates that she is of royalty. Although the Aztecs would wear gold as jewelry, to have it on clothing was very special. It was yet another sign of nobility.

8. Her Mantle pt. 2. Some have speculated on what the stars on the mantle would look like if one were to take the Mantle of our Lady and spread it out. With the aid of computers, this can now be done. The stars appear to be in a pattern. The stars appear to be arranged in a pattern that would be consistent if one were to view the sky above Mexico City on December 12th, 1531, right around 5 AM (This is the time that Juan Diego would have seen Our Blessed Lady right before he went to Bishop Zumarraga). As this was before the Gregorian revision of the Calendar several decades later, this day would have been the Winter Solstice.

9. The eyes of our Lady. In 1929, the photographer for the Basilica of Guadalupe, Jose Marcue, took close-up photographs of the entire image. When he photographed the left eye of the Virgin, he noticed that there was an image of an old, bearded man in it. As some extreme persecutions had just reached its zenith a few years earlier, the Episcopal Conference and the Archbishop of Mexico, Pascual Diay y Barreto decided to keep this silent. In the eyes can also be seen other figures, which would match those who would have been in the room with Juan Diego when he came into the presence of the Bishop upon showing him the sign he wanted. That would be Bishop Zumarraga, his translator Juan Gonzalez, St. Juan Diego himself, and an unknown woman. The images are even distorted to account for the curvature of the eye, just as one would see something slightly distorted if one were to look closely at the eyese of another. There is a video below in Spanish of a study done by Dr. Jose Aste Tonsmann.

The image was formed on the tilma of Juan Diego, the outer garment of the Aztecs. The coarse fabric, made of ayate fiber, was derived from the threads of the maguey cactus plant. It is dired, flattened, and then woven into thread. It is a bit sturdier than fabric derived from cactus in northern latitudes, but not by much. The normal life span of the ayate fiber is approximately 20 years. Yet, after 477 years as of 2008, this tilma still shows no sign of decay, has maintained its vivid and fresh colors, in spite of having been displayed for more than 100 years, unprotected, in a damp, open-windowed chapel located in the yet undrained marshes of Mexico. For the first 100 years, the Tilma had been exposed directly to ceaseless smoke and incense, myriad of votive candles with their excess of ultra-violet light. It hand been handled, touched, kissed, by millions of devout pilgrims.

It has even survived a bombing. On November 14, 1921, a bomb was placed right underneath the Tilma by a government agent by the High Altar in the old Basilica. The Tilma was covered only with glass. The Altar was destroyed, and this Crucifix that was right in front of the bomb was bent over to a 30 degree angle by the force of the bomb. The Tilma, however, was untouched, and the glass right in front did not shatter. This Crucifix is now in the museum of the Basilica.

The Meaning Of The Name Of The Blessed Virgin Mary Of Guadalupe

2011-12-10T02:26:00.000-08:00

Cuix amo nican nica nimonantzin?
No estoy aqui, que soy tu Madre?
Am I not here, who am your Mother?

The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is approaching, when we celebrate the visit and apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St. Juan Diego in México.

Before the arrival of the True Faith in what is now México, the native people worshipped a multitude of gods. One could make the argument that Satanism is what was being practiced, what with gods who demanded blood sacrifice. Some people may lament that there were codices lost and burned by Franciscan missionaries. Insight into Aztec life might have been useful to historians. However, let us look at some of what has been preserved: bloody scenes of battle, and parents allowing Aztec priests to tears the hearts out of their children. When Hernán Cortés saw this, he was outraged, and saw it as his duty to smash the idols that he saw. Cortés helped to put an end to that, finally, in 1519.

For over a decade, the Franciscans tried their best to convert the Aztecs, but there were very few who came to the Catholic Faith. Paganism was deeply rooted in the Mexican people. One of the few was an Indian by the name of Cuahtlatoátzin (Singing Eagle), and his wife, María Lucía. His wife died in 1529.

Juan Diego would frequently walk from his house in the village of Tolpetlac, to the Franciscan Church at Tlaltelolco. On the Feast of the (Immaculate) Conception of Mary, December 9th (as it was kept in those days by the Franciscans in their calendar) St. Juan Diego was walking to hear Mass. Over the next four days, while walking to church, St. Juan Diego had visions of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In another post, the entire story, called the Nican Mopohua, will be posted.

Where the visions of the Blessed Virgin happened was on a hill called Tepeyac. This hill, before the arrival of the True Faith, was dedicated to a goddess called Tonantzín. If one looks at the image of Guadalupe, it conveys a great amount of information, almost like an eastern icon. One actually could start with the name. What does Guadalupe mean? Bishop Zumárraga, the Bishop of México, did not speak much Náhuatl, but did have an interpreter, Fr. Juan Gonzales. When Juan Diego and his uncle Bernardino (who also experienced a vision of the Virgin), were asked what the name of the Virgin was, they were astounded to hear the name of Guadalupe, the name of a shrine in the Bishop’s native land of Spain. It is not a name that has any connection with México or the Náhuatl language. Dr. Mariano Rojas of the National Museum of Anthropology of México in 1895 says that the name probably used was “Te Coatlaxopeuh.”

te = stone
coa = serpent
tla = the
xopeuh = crush, stamp out

Her name means that she is the one who will crush the Serpent. She in other words, was identifying herself with the Immaculate Conception, with her name and the date on which she first appeared. Bishop Zumárraga wrote to Cortés on December 24th, 1531, inviting him to the procession taking the image from Tepeyac to the Cathedral of México. In that letter, Bishop Zumárraga refers to the image of Guadalupe as the Immaculate Conception; so he saw that there was a link between the image, the Immaculate Conception, and Genesis 3:15. In her name, we can see that she says she will crush the serpent, and the cruelest serpent to the Aztecs was Quezacóatl, behind whom was Satan. 20.000 people annually were sacrificed to Quezacóatl. In Genesis 3:15, we see that God says that he will put indemnity between he and the woman, and that she will crush his head. In Apocalypse 20:2, the Serpent is specifically identified as Satan.

Our Lady of Guadalupe did have her victory over Satan, as after her visit to México, the greatest mass conversions in history took place, with over 7 million coming to the True Faith in a little over 10 years.

The Mona Lisa And Image Of Our Lady Of Guadalupe

2011-12-09T07:49:00.001-08:00

The Mona Lisa, or La Giaconda, is probably one of the most famous paintings in the world. It was begun around the year 1503, and was finished by Leonardo Da Vinci in France shortly before his death on May 2nd, 1519. It has stayed in France, mostly, for these past 490 years. After the French Revolution, it was moved to the Louvre. It was exhibited in Italy for a while after an Italian Patriot stole it, as he felt it should stay in Italy.

In a book by Jean-Pierre Mohen, Mona Lisa: inside the Painting, one can read that all through its history, the Mona Lisa has received exceptional and restrained care. An international commission in 1952 deemed that the care it has received has helped to conserve one of the most famous paintings in the world. This commission recommended that it be restored to remove some layers of varnish, and for some special treatment. It has also been treated with carbon tetrachloride, and later with an ethylene oxide treatment to preserve the painting from an insect infestation. In 1985, the painting was again treated with carbon tetrachloride as a measure to prevent further insect damage. To help with any warping, a crosspiece was installed in 1977.

In 2005, it was moved to a purpose-built, climate-controlled enclosure behind bullet-proof glass in the Salle des États in the Louvre.

Despite all of this work, and experts from around the world, the Mona Lisa will need further work in the next 15 years to fix cracking in the varnish that had been applied in the past century. Without this fixing of the varnish and further preservation, the Mona Lisa could face irreparable damage in the next few decades.

In December of 1531, 12 years after the Mona Lisa was finished, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St. Juan Diego in present day Mexico City. She left her image to us, and she is known under the title of Our Lady of Guadalupe. It is contemporaneous with the Mona Lisa.

The image of Guadalupe is on a Tilma, an outer garment that was worn by Aztec males, like a cloak, with a long front to it like an apron, and used as a carry all. At the time, and as is the case with the Tilma of St. Juan Diego, it is made of the ayate fibers of the Maguey plant. The normal life span of such a garment is around 20 years. As of 2009, it has been 479 years since the Blessed Virgin Mary of Guadalupe appeared in 1531.

For roughly the first 160 years, the Tilma of St. Juan Diego hung in damp air and before the emissions of numerous candles in the Chapel of Tepeyac. There was no glass to cover the image. No soot appears to have ever damaged the Tilma. Dr. Phillip Callahan of the University of Florida studied the image in 1979. He records that a single votive candle can put out in its life over 600 microwatts of ultraviolet light. If you multiply this over hundreds of thousands of candles over centuries, and it is an intolerable environment for a painting. That much ultraviolet light should destroy any painting. It is not a painting though, at least by human hands. Numerous people also touched the image.

In 1791, roughly when the French Revolution happened and the Mona Lisa was moved to the Louvre, the Gold and Silver Frame around the Image of Guadalupe was being cleaned. The image was miraculously preserved when Nitric Acid used to clean the Gold and Silver spilled onto the image. The only trace of this disaster is what appears to be a watermark.

The image is 479 years old, yet the image cannot be reproduced. The colours are as vibrant today as 79 years ago, as vibrant as they were 479 years ago. The fibers of the Tilma are as pliable now as a new Tilma, despite its age.

On Monday the 14th of November 1921, in the midst of Government Anti-Catholic activity, Mass was being said in the Basilica of Guadalupe. at 10:30 AM a bomb, placed by a Mexican government agent, Luciano Perez, went off right below the Image of Guadalupe. The bomb had been hidden in a wreath of flowers, and heavily damaged a nearby Altar, and much of the surrounding masonry.

A Bronze and Iron Cross right underneath the Image was bent over by the explosion, so powerful was the blast, as can be seen above. The image of Guadalupe was untouched, with even the thin glass that was in front of the image undamaged. Miraculously, none of the faithful who were present at the Mass were injured either. As a side note, After having ascertained that everyone was alright, Father Juan Bautista Rangel Avila had a Server summon the police, and then continued to say Holy Mass.

This is just a brief, very brief history of the Mona Lisa, and the Image of Guadalupe. They are both roughly the same age. One is one of the most famous paintings in the world, having received the attention of the world's Art experts, and roughly 20 million dollars worth of restoration.

The other, we Catholics hold to be the image of Our Blessed Lady, is an image that is on Ayate fibers from the Maguey plant. The Tilma should have disintegrated about 460 years ago, had been exposed to the Salt Marshes of Mexico City, had countless people touch it, was exposed for 160 years without protection, had acid spilled on it, and survived a Terrorist Bomb.

December 6th: Feast of St. Nicholas, the Wonderworker

2011-12-06T02:10:00.000-08:00

Today is the Feast of St. Nicholas, Bishop of Myra in Lycia, which is present day Demre, on the southern coast of Turkey.

There is much that is known about St. Nicholas. He was born of a wealthy family in Patara, Turkey in the year of Our Salvation 270, and lived to the year 346. Having his parents die while he was still young, he inherited their wealth. He was elected Bishop of Myra by a council of Bishops (as is still done by many Eastern Catholics). It is known that he was imprisoned and tortured during the Diocletian Persecutions of Christians. He even had a shattered nose, the nasal bone right between the eyes. He was about 5 foot, 6 inches tall. How is that known? Well after St. Nicholas died, there were constant raids by Mohammedans into Lycia. His remains we taken from Myra, and eventually ended up in Bari, Italy in the year 1087. During the 1950's, the crypt where his relics lie was repaired. The Vatican had the University of Bari take photos of all the remains. These later were eventually computerized and Forensic Archaeologists recreated the face of the Saint.

St. Nicholas was tortured, and was made a Saint by the Church as a Confessor, one who endured a sort of dry martyrdom for Christ. It is known that St. Nicholas was at the Council of Nicea, where the nature of Jesus Christ was defined. 318 Bishops attend this Council.

Imagine the scene: Bishops walking into the Imperial Palace in Nicea, many of them probably limping in, hobbled. Not a few had evidence of broken noses, courtesy of Roman guards. Many had eyes that were plucked out or ears that were burned off or simply cut off, a favorite under Emperor Galerius. St. Nicholas was in attendance, as was St. Athanasius, a Deacon at the time, according to lists of attendees that have come down to us.

In our times, the image of St. Nicholas has become that of Santa Claus, a jolly rotund fellow. let us reflect a bit on his life: He was more than likely a thin ascetic who was often away from his city. He was beaten on various occasions by the State, and endured torture for the Faith. He also was zealous for the Lord. During the Council of Nicea, the following story is accepted. While listening to the blasphemies of Arius who denied the Divinity of Christ, St. Nicholas, outraged, crossed the room, came up to Arius and slapped him. Brought before Constantine the Emperor, he was jailed. It seems to be a rather embarrassing episode, a Bishop losing his composure and physically attacking another. However, the earliest Icons recount this episode.

From the earliest Icons, St. Nicholas is seen being given the book of Gospels by Jesus and his stole (Omophorion) by the Blessed Virgin Mary, both symbols of his Bishopric. There is a strong devotion to St, Nicholas by the Faithful. Perhaps this is because this is what they imagined how a Bishop should be; confessing for the Faith, giving his goods so that women would not be sold into prostitution, and a zeal for the Faith. Let us pray to St. Nicholas as an example for us. Let us pray to St. Nicholas, to be an example for our own Bishop; may our own Bishop guide his portion of the Church that has been entrusted to him.

We exalt you, Holy Bishop Nicholas, Defender of Dogma and Truth. Oh, Holy Bishop Nicholas, thou who hast through thy deeds shown thyself to thy flock as a rule of faith and as a model of meekness and temperance, thou who hast with thy humility reached sublime glory and with thy love for poverty, gained heavenly riches, intercede with the Lord Saviour Jesus Christ to obtain the salvation of our souls.

(Prayer to St. Nicholas, Troparion, from the Byzantine Liturgy)

Wish every one you know with the name of Nicholas a Happy Saints day.

Prayer Intentions Of The Holy Father for November 2011

2011-10-31T22:31:00.000-07:00

The Prayer Intentions of the Holy Father for this month are the following:

November 2011

General Intention: That the Eastern Catholic Churches and their venerable traditions may be known and esteemed as a spiritual treasure for the whole Church.

Missionary Intention: Justice and Reconciliation in Africa.
That the African continent may find strength in Christ to pursue justice and reconciliation as set forth by the second Synod of African Bishops.

Feast of ll Saints, November 1st, 2011

2011-10-30T01:13:00.000-07:00

There will be a Latin Mass at 6pm for the feast of All Saints, Tuesday, Nov. 1st, at the Shrine of St. Joseph.

Plenary Indulgence For The Feast Of Christ The King: October 30th, 2011

2011-10-30T00:51:00.000-07:00

One may gain a Plenary Indulgence this week for the Feast of Christ the King under the usual conditions of the Sacrament of Penance, sorrow for sin, Reception of Communion at the Feast of Christ the King, and prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father. Confession and Penance must be received within eight days of the Feast of Christ the King.

The Prayer Intentions of the Holy Father for this month are the following:

November 2011

General Intention: That the Eastern Catholic Churches and their venerable traditions may be known and esteemed as a spiritual treasure for the whole Church.

Missionary Intention: Justice and Reconciliation in Africa.
That the African continent may find strength in Christ to pursue justice and reconciliation as set forth by the second Synod of African Bishops.

Novena In Preparation For The feast Of Christ The King: Day 9, October 30th, 2011

2011-10-30T00:48:00.001-07:00

Novena in Preparation for the Feast of Christ the King
Novena en preparacion para la fiesta de Cristo, Rey Universal

English: O Lord Jesus Christ, I acknowledge Thee King of the Universe. All that has been created has been made for Thee. Exercise upon me all Thy rights. I renew my baptismal promises, renouncing Satan and all his works and pomps. I promise to live a good Christian life and to do all in my power to procure the triumph of the rights of God and Thy Church. Divine Heart of Jesus, I offer Thee my poor actions in order to obtain that all hearts may acknowledge Thy sacred Royalty, and that thus the reign of Thy peace may be established throughout the universe. Amen. Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be...

Español: O Señor Jesucristo, te reconozco Rey del universo. Todo que se ha creado ha sido hecho para Vos. Ejercicia sobre mí todas vuestras derechas. Renuevo mis promesas bautismales, renunciando Satan y todos sus trabajos y pompas. Prometo vivir una buena vida cristiana y hacer todo en mi poder de procurar el triunfo de las derechas de Dios y de vuestra Iglesia. Corazón divino de Jesús, ofrezco a vos mis acciones pobres para obtener que todos los corazones pueden reconocer vuestros derechos sagrados, y que el reinado de vuestra paz se puede establecer así a través del universo. Padre Nuestro... Dios te Salve, Maria... Gloria al Padre...

Latinae: Domine Jesu Christe, te confiteor Regem universalem. Omnia, quae facta sunt, pro te sunt creata. Omnia iura tua exerce in me. Renovo vota Baptismi abrenuntians satanae euisque pompis et operibus et promitto me victurum ut bonum Christianum. Ac potissimum me obligo operari quantum in me est, ut triumphent Dei iura tuaeque Ecclesiae. Divinum Cor Jesu, offero tibi actiones meas tenues ad obtinendum, ut corda omnia agnoscant tuam sacram Regalitatem et ita tuae pacis regnum stabiliatur in toto terrarum orbe. Amen. Pater Noster... Ave Maria... Gloria Patri...

Novena In Preparation For The feast Of Christ The King: Day 8, October 29th, 2011

2011-10-30T00:47:00.000-07:00

Novena In Preparation For The feast Of Christ The King: Day 7, October 28th, 2011

2011-10-28T01:46:00.000-07:00

Novena In Preparation For The feast Of Christ The King: Day 6, October 27th, 2011

2011-10-27T01:44:00.000-07:00

Novena In Preparation For The feast Of Christ The King: Day 5, October 26th, 2011

2011-10-25T10:49:00.000-07:00

Novena In Preparation For The feast Of Christ The King: Day 4, October 25th, 2011

2011-10-25T01:00:00.000-07:00

Novena In Preparation For The feast Of Christ The King: Day 3, October 24th, 2011

2011-10-24T01:59:00.000-07:00

Novena In Preparation For The feast Of Christ The King: Day 2, October 23rd, 2011

2011-10-23T02:58:00.000-07:00

Novena In Preparation For The feast Of Christ The King: Day 1, October 22nd, 2011

2011-10-22T01:39:00.000-07:00

Novena To Christ The King: October 22nd to 30th, 2011

2011-10-21T01:35:00.000-07:00

In 1888, Pope Leo XIII composed the Prayers to St. Michael the Archangel after a vision in which he saw the church threatened. He ordered that this and other prayers be added immediately after Low Mass.

In 1925, Pope Pius XI wrote the encyclical Quas Primas, in which he saw that the world was no longer dedicated to having Christ the King reign temporally. He instituted the Feast of Christ the King on the Sunday closest to the Feast of All Saints to show the relationship of the Saints to their King.

If these Popes could see so many decades ago what problems faced the Church and the world in their days, how so we must pray for our Church and our world in ours. Our modern day world labours under a manifold of evils, but society tells us that Christ has no place in either in our lives or in politics.

As instructed by Pope Pius XI, let us pray for the restoration of Christ as our King, the one who excels all creatures by his perfection. may we be perfected in love by installing him as the King of our hearts and of our will.

The following Novena is from the Institute of Christ the King, so this is a special feast of their spirituality. Our country, and our world are in dire need of correction, for we appear rudderless. The barque of Peter is a sure way to guide us all to Christ. We must have him as the King of our will, so that we can bring the entire world to acknowledge Christ as King of the Universe. The Novena will start October 23rd, and be prayed every day until October 31st the Feast of Christ the King.

Christus vincit! Christus regnat! Christus inperat!

Novena in Preparation for the Feast of Christ the King
Novena en preparacion para la fiesta de Cristo, Rey Universal

English: O Lord Jesus Christ, I acknowledge Thee King of the Universe. All that has been created has been made for Thee. Exercise upon me all Thy rights. I renew my baptismal promises, renouncing Satan and all his works and pomps. I promise to live a good Christian life and to do all in my power to procure the triumph of the rights of God and Thy Church. Divine Heart of Jesus, I offer Thee my poor actions in order to obtain that all hearts may acknowledge Thy sacred Royalty, and that thus the reign of Thy peace may be established throughout the universe. Amen. Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be...

Español:O Señor Jesucristo, te reconozco Rey del universo. Todo que se ha creado ha sido hecho para Vos. Ejercicia sobre mí todas vuestras derechas. Renuevo mis promesas bautismales, renunciando Satan y todos sus trabajos y pompas. Prometo vivir una buena vida cristiana y hacer todo en mi poder de procurar el triunfo de las derechas de Dios y de vuestra Iglesia. Corazón divino de Jesús, ofrezco a vos mis acciones pobres para obtener que todos los corazones pueden reconocer vuestros derechos sagrados, y que el reinado de vuestra paz se puede establecer así a través del universo. Padre Nuestro... Dios te Salve, Maria... Gloria al Padre...

Latinae: Domine Jesu Christe, te confiteor Regem universalem. Omnia, quae facta sunt, pro te sunt creata. Omnia iura tua exerce in me. Renovo vota Baptismi abrenuntians satanae euisque pompis et operibus et promitto me victurum ut bonum Christianum. Ac potissimum me obligo operari quantum in me est, ut triumphent Dei iura tuaeque Ecclesiae. Divinum Cor Jesu, offero tibi actiones meas tenues ad obtinendum, ut corda omnia agnoscant tuam sacram Regalitatem et ita tuae pacis regnum stabiliatur in toto terrarum orbe. Amen. Pater Noster... Ave Maria... Gloria Patri...

Feast Of Christ The King, 2011

2011-10-20T08:18:00.000-07:00

Sunday the 30th of October will be the Feast of Christ the King, D. N. Jesu Christi Regis. It was instituted as a double of the First Class with the encyclical Quas Primas by Pope Pius XI. If you have not read it, it is worth taking the time to do so.

People write asking about the dating of the Feast of Christ the King, so here is an attempt to do so.

Pope Pius XI instituted the Feast of Christ the King on the Last Sunday in October, the Sunday that immediately precedes the Feast of All Saints. Up until 1969, this remained so until it was moved to the Last Sunday of the Year, the Sunday before a new year begins with the First Sunday of Advent. Although the eschatological importance of the Kingship of Christ is somewhat made clearer by this change, it was in fact obscured in some peoples minds. The Kingship of Christ does not begin at the end of the world, as signified by putting it at the end of the year. The Kingship of Christ began even before he ascended into Heaven, for the Lord said that, "All power is given to me in Heaven and in Earth. (Mt 28:18)"Our obligation to submit to our King and his Laws and Commandments does not begin when he returns, but actually began when Jesus ascended into Heaven.

Changing the date for the Feast of Christ the King breaks the relationship of the King and his subjects; in this case between Christ and his Saints. Changing the Feast to the Last Sunday leads some to believe that Christ is not King now, and that we do not need to recognize him as such, not in the interior forum, nor in the public square. Changing the Feast to the Last Sunday has lead some to declare that Jesus will eventually be our King at the end of time. In other words, changing the date of the Feast defeats the very purpose of the Feast of Christ the King, to pray for the conversion of the world to the One True Church, and that the world conforms to the Laws and Commandments given to us by Jesus Christ the King.

We can relate this Feast of Christ the King to history and to our current situation. Right at the point in history when Pope Pius XI wrote Quas Primas, the Church in Mexico underwent a tremendous persecution that had been brewing for a very long time. Many of the Faithful were martyred, including St. Cristóbal Magallanes and his Companions, and famously, Blessed Miguel Pro Juárez. The state (Cesar) tried to supplant Christ the King, and make it so that Catholics in Mexico would not have the freedom to worship Our True King and his Church.

So it is in our time that society would not have us vote as if Christ the King does not rule now in our hearts. We should always act knowing that Christ is King now, not at the end of time with his second Advent.

Hopefully this is of some help regarding the Feast of Christ the King.

October 7th: Feast Of Our Lady Of The Rosary And The Battle Of Lepanto

2011-10-07T00:17:00.000-07:00

Today is the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, and the anniversary of the Battle of Lepanto. The story of this day is a fascinating one, one that I could not do justice to.

How similar the circumstances appear; The West was facing an onslaught by Islam, but due to various situations and mistrust, the realms that are most threatened cannot come to a common unity to defeat their enemy.

Constantinople had been captured in 1453. From there, there was a slow march by the Turks towards the heart of Europe. There were various landings by the Turkish Navy in Spain, Italy, Greece, and France. Albania was captured, as well as much African territory from Europe. However, Malta had withstood a siege by the Turks (600 Knights of St. john vs. 30.000 Turks) six years earlier, so the Turks could be defeated.

The Turks were on the march. The Turks had captured parts of Greece, particularly ports such as Naupactos, known in Italian as Lepanto. the Holy League was formed, made up of Spain, the Papal States, the Republic of Venice, the Republic of Genoa, the Duchy of Savoy, and the Knights of Malta. All of these states contributed various vessels, plus various mercenary forces, so that the entire armada consisted of roughly 205 galleys, and 6 converted Galleasses, merchant ships converted to carry heavy artillery. All the states saw the Turks as a menace to trade and the security of Europe, and a threat to the Holy Faith itself. The Holy League mustered 13.000 Sailors, along with 28.000 troops. The Turks had an advantage with nearly 300 ships, 13.000 sailors and 35.000 soldiers, led by the commander Ali Pasha.

Don Juan of Austria was the illegitimate son of Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor, and the half brother of Phillip II, the King of Spain. He had proved himself as an able leader, and was persuaded by Pope St. Pius V to lead the Holy League into battle. St. Pius V had tried for many months to alert Europe of the coming danger, but many realms were embroiled with the Reformation. Don Juan saw the danger, and even though very young (24!), persuaded others to join him in his doom.

Before the Holy League went into battle, in early October, Don Juan did the unlikely action of having his entire armada fast for three days and to pray for victory.

Ali Pasha was so confident of victory, he sailed at the forefront on his ship the Sultana with his harem.

Many books have been written about this battle. In short, Don Juan sailed right into the heart of the Turkish armada. The Venetians sailed right into the Turkish right wing, and crushed it. the Holy League was then able to come around that right side, and encircle the Turks. The battle took 5 hours. between 12.000 to 15.000 Christian slaves and rowers on the Turkish Galleys were delivered unto freedom. The Turks left with about 70 ships.

The Holy Father that day was praying the Rosary in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. Whether the Holy Father had a vision, it is still unclear, but around the time Don Juan had gained victory around 4 in the afternoon, Pope St. Pius ordered that Masses of Thanksgiving be offered, and that the Confraternity of the Rosary proceed immediately to Roman Churches to pray.

Some historians report that just before Don Juan left to lead the Holy League, King Phillip of Spain presented him with a small painting of Our Lady of Guadalupe. This apparition had just happened less than 40 years before in the Spanish territory of Mexico. This painting was placed in the chapel of the admiral vessel of Giovanni Andrea Doria, the Admiral from Genoa. The painting can still be seen above the High Altar in the church of Santo Stefano d'Aveto, in the chapel of Madonna di Guadalupe near Genoa, Italy (Tried looking for a picture, but no success: Will keep looking, as this might be one of the oldest images of Guadalupe in Europe).

Pope St. Pius later that year declared that every October 7th, a commemoration of the Rosary would be a part of the Mass at the Vatican, and would be know as Our Lady of Victory. Two years later, Pope Gregory XIII established the Feast of the Most Holy Rosary and extended it to all Churches throughout the world that had Altars dedicated to the Rosary. In 1671, it was extended to all of Spain. After another vitory over the Muslims in Hungary in 1716, Pope Clement extended the Feast of the Rosary to the Universal Church.

Today, many forget why we have this Feast in our Calendar. Those who would bring terror to our country do not forget, so we should not forget the Rosary nor Our Lady on her day. It was through her intercession that victory was given to the Holy League that day. May we continue to seek her intercession.

Sancta Maria, ora pro nobis.

Autumn Breakfast On October 16th, 2011

2011-10-07T00:03:00.000-07:00

We will be having an autumn breakfast gathering at Natural Bridges State Park on October 16th right after Mass. There will be no coffee hour that day.

The breakfast will be a potluck breakfast and several parishioners have volunteered to bring stoves and cook omelets to order. We will provide the eggs and basics. If you want something special in your omelet bring it along with a dish to share.

Natural Bridges is at the very end of West Cliff Drive. Just keep driving past the Shrine north and you will reach it. The entrance fee is $10 to park but you can also just drive in and drop off your things/riders and then parked on the street for free as it is just a 5 minute walk from that location. If you are not sure where that parking area is just let the ranger know you are just dropping off and then when you reach us one of us will direct you how to get to the parking area. Bring beach wear if you want to stay and play at the beach.

Hope to see you there!

Lepanto by G. K. Chesterton

2011-10-06T10:15:00.000-07:00

Lepanto
White founts falling in the courts of the sun,
And the Soldan of Byzantium is smiling as they run;
There is laughter like the fountains in that face of all men feared,
It stirs the forest darkness, the darkness of his beard,
It curls the blood-red crescent, the crescent of his lips,
For the inmost sea of all the earth is shaken with his ships.
They have dared the white republics up the capes of Italy,
They have dashed the Adriatic round the Lion of the Sea,A
nd the Pope has cast his arms abroad for agony and loss,
And called the kings of Christendom for swords about the Cross,
The cold queen of England is looking in the glass;
The shadow of the Valois is yawning at the Mass;
From evening isles fantastical rings faint the Spanish gun,
And the Lord upon the Golden Horn is laughing in the sun.

Dim drums throbbing, in the hills half heard,
Where only on a nameless throne a crownless prince has stirred,
Where, risen from a doubtful seat and half-attainted stall,
The last knight of Europe takes weapons from the wall,
The last and lingering troubadour to whom the bird has sung,
That once went singing southward when all the world was young.
In that enormous silence, tiny and unafraid,
Comes up along a winding road the noise of the Crusade.
Strong gongs groaning as the guns boom far,
Don John of Austria is going to the war,
Stiff flags straining in the night-blasts cold
In the gloom black-purple, in the glint old-gold,
Torchlight crimson on the copper kettle-drums,
Then the tuckets, then the trumpets, then the cannon, and he comes.
Don John laughing in the brave beard curled,
Spurning of his stirrups like the thrones of all the world,
Holding his head up for a flag of all the free.
Love-light of Spain - hurrah!
Death-light of Africa!
Don John of Austria Is riding to the sea.

Mahound is in his paradise above the evening star,
(Don John of Austria is going to the war.)
He moves a mighty turban on the timeless houri's knees,
His turban that is woven of the sunset and the seas.
He shakes the peacock gardens as he rises from his ease,
And he strides among the tree-tops and is taller than the trees,
And his voice through all the garden is a thunder sent to bring
Black Azrael and Ariel and Ammon on the wing.
Giants and the Genii,
Multiplex of wing and eye,
Whose strong obedience broke the sky
When Solomon was king.

They rush in red and purple from the red clouds of the morn,
From temples where the yellow gods shut up their eyes in scorn;
They rise in green robes roaring from the green hells of the sea
Where fallen skies and evil hues and eyeless creatures be;
On them the sea-valves cluster and the grey sea-forests curl,
Splashed with a splendid sickness, the sickness of the pearl;
They swell in sapphire smoke out of the blue cracks of the ground, -
They gather and they wonder and give worship to Mahound.
And he saith, "Break up the mountains where the hermit-folk may hide,
And sift the red and silver sands lest bone of saint abide,
And chase the Giaours flying night and day, not giving rest,
For that which was our trouble comes again out of the west.
We have set the seal of Solomon on all things under sun,
Of knowledge and of sorrow and endurance of things done,
But a noise is in the mountains, in the mountains, and I know
The voice that shook our palaces - four hundred years ago:
It is he that saith not 'Kismet'; it is he that knows not Fate;
It is Richard, it is Raymond, it is Godfrey in the gate!
It is he whose loss is laughter when he counts the wager worth,
Put down your feet upon him, that our peace be on the earth."
For he heard drums groaning and he heard guns jar,
(Don John of Austria is going to the war.)
Sudden and still - hurrah!
Bolt from Iberia!
Don John of Austria
Is gone by Alcalar.

St. Michael's on his Mountain in the sea-roads of the north
(Don John of Austria is girt and going forth.)
Where the grey seas glitter and the sharp tides shift
And the sea-folk labour and the red sails lift.
He shakes his lance of iron and he claps his wings of stone;
The noise is gone through Normandy; the noise is gone alone;
The North is full of tangled things and texts and aching eyes
And dead is all the innocence of anger and surprise,
And Christian killeth Christian in a narrow dusty room,
And Christian dreadeth Christ that bath a newer face of doom,
And Christian hateth Mary that God kissed in Galilee,
But Don John of Austria is riding to the sea.
Don John calling through the blast and the eclipse
Crying with the trumpet, with the trumpet of his lips,
Trumpet that sayeth ha!
Domino gloria!
Don John of Austria
Is shouting to the ships.

King Philip's in his closet with the Fleece about his neck
(Don John of Austria is armed upon the deck.)
The walls are hung with velvet that is black and soft as sin,
And little dwarfs creep out of it and little dwarfs creep in.
He holds a crystal phial that has colours like the moon,
He touches, and it tingles, and he trembles very soon,
And his face is as a fungus of a leprous white and grey
Like plants in the high houses that are shuttered from the day,
And death is in the phial and the end of noble work,
But Don John of Austria has fired upon the Turk.
Don John's hunting, and his hounds have bayed -
Booms away past Italy the rumour of his raid.
Gun upon gun, ha! ha!
Gun upon gun, hurrah!
Don John of Austria
Has loosed the cannonade.

The Pope was in his chapel before day or battle broke,
(Don John of Austria is hidden in the smoke.)
The hidden room in a man's house where God sits all the year,
The secret window whence the world looks small and very dear.
He sees as in a mirror on the monstrous twilight sea
The crescent of his cruel ships whose name is mystery;
They fling great shadows foe-wards, making Cross and Castle dark,
They veil the plumed lions on the galleys of St. Mark;
And above the ships are palaces of brown, black-bearded chiefs,
And below the ships are prisons, where with multitudinous griefs,
Christian captives sick and sunless, all a labouring race repines
Like a race in sunken cities, like a nation in the mines.
They are lost like slaves that swat, and in the skies of morning hung
The stairways of the tallest gods when tyranny was young.

They are countless, voiceless, hopeless as those fallen or fleeing on
Before the high Kings' horses in the granite of Babylon.
And many a one grows witless in his quiet room in hell
Where a yellow face looks inward through the lattice of his cell,
And he finds his God forgotten, and he seeks no more a sign -
(But Don John of Austria has burst the battle-line!)
Don John pounding from the slaughter-painted poop,
Purpling all the ocean like a bloody pirate's sloop,
Scarlet running over on the silvers and the golds,
Breaking of the hatches up and bursting of the holds,
Thronging of the thousands up that labour under sea
White for bliss and blind for sun and stunned for liberty.
Vivat Hispania!
Domino Gloria!
Don John of Austria
Has set his people free!

Cervantes on his galley sets the sword back in the sheath
(Don John of Austria rides homeward with a wreath.)
And he sees across a weary land a straggling road in Spain,
Up which a lean and foolish knight forever rides in vain,
And he smiles, but not as Sultans smile, and settles back the blade. . .(But Don John of Austria rides home from the Crusade.)

- G.K. Chesterton

September 29th: Feast Of St. Michael The Archangel

2011-09-28T18:26:00.000-07:00

What follows is the longer form of the prayer to St. Michael.

PRINCEPS gloriosissime caelestis militiae, sancte Michael Archangele, defende nos in proelio et colluctatione, quae nobis adversus principes et potestates, adversus mundi rectores tenebrarum harum, contra spiritualia nequitiae, in caelestibus. Veni in auxilium hominum, quos Deus creavit inexterminabiles, et ad imaginem similitudinis suae fecit, et a tyrannide diaboli emit pretio magno. Proeliare hodie cum beatorum Angelorum exercitu proelia Domini, sicut pugnasti contra ducem superbiae luciferum, et angelos eius apostaticos: et non valuerunt, neque locus inventus est eorum amplius in caelo. Sed proiectus est draco ille magnus, serpens antiquus, qui vocatur diabolus et satanas, qui seducit universum orbem; et proiectus est in terram, et angeli eius cum illo missi sunt.

En antiquus inimicus et homicida vehementer erectus est. Transfiguratus in angelum lucis, cum tota malignorum spirituum caterva late circuit et invadit terram, ut in ea deleat nomen Dei et Christi eius, animasque ad aeternae gloriae coronam destinatas furetur, mactet ac perdat in sempiternum interitum. Virus nequitiae suae, tamquam flumen immundissimum, draco maleficus transfundit in homines depravatos mente et corruptos corde; spiritum mendacii, impietatis et blasphemiae; halitumque mortiferum luxuriae, vitiorum omnium et iniquitatum.

Ecclesiam, Agni immaculati sponsam, vaferrimi hostes repleverunt amaritudinibus, inebriarunt absinthio; ad omnia desiderabilia eius impias miserunt manus. Ubi sedes beatissimi Petri et Cathedra veritatis ad lucem gentium constituta est, ibi thronum posuerunt abominationis et impietatis suae; ut percusso Pastore, et gregem disperdere valeant.

Adesto itaque, Dux invictissime, populo Dei contra irrumpentes spirituales nequitias, et fac victoriam. Te custodem et patronum sancta veneratur Ecclesia; te gloriatur defensore adversus terrestrium et infernorum nefarias potestates; tibi tradidit Dominus animas redemptorum in superna felicitate locandas. Deprecare Deum pacis, ut conterat satanam sub pedibus nostris, ne ultra valeat captivos tenere homines, et Ecclesiae nocere. Offer nostras preces in conspectu Altissimi, ut cito anticipent nos misericordiae Domini, et apprehendas draconem, serpentem antiquum, qui est diabolus et satanas, ac ligatum mittas in abyssum, ut non seducat amplius gentes. Hinc tuo confisi praesidio ac tutela, sacri ministerii nostri auctoritate [si fuerit laicus, vel clericus qui ordinem exorcistatus nondum suscepit, dicat: sacra sanctae Matris Ecclesiae auctoritate], ad infestationes diabolicae fraudis repellendas in nomine Iesu Christi Dei et Domini nostri fidentes et securi aggredimur.

V. Ecce Crucem Domini, fugite partes adversae.
R. Vicit Leo de tribu Iuda, radix David.
V. Fiat misericordia tua, Domine, super nos.
R. Quemadmodum speravimus in te.
V. Domine, exaudi orationem meam.
R. Et clamor meus ad te veniat.
Si fuerit saltem diaconus subiungat
V. Dominus vobiscum.
R. Et cum spiritu tuo.

Oremus. Deus, et Pater Domini nostri Iesu Christi, invocamus nomen sanctum tuum, et clementiam tuam supplices exposcimus ut, per intercessionem immaculatae semper Virginis Dei Genetricis Mariae, beati Michaelis Archangeli, beati Ioseph eiusdem beatae Virginis Sponsi, beatorum Apostolorum Petri et Pauli et omnium Sanctorum, adversus satanam, omnesque alios immundos spiritus, qui ad nocendum humano generi animasque perdendas pervagantur in mundo, nobis auxilium praestare digneris. Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

O GLORIOUS Prince of the heavenly host, Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in the battle and fearful warfare that we are waging against the principalities and powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, against the evil spirits. Come thou to the assistance of men, whom Almighty God created immortal, making them in His own image and likeness and redeeming them at a great price from the tyranny of Satan. Fight this day the battle of the Lord with thy legions of holy Angels, even as of old thou didst fight against Lucifer, the leader of the proud spirits and all his rebel angels, who were powerless to stand against thee, neither was their place found any more in heaven. And that great dragon was cast forth, the ancient serpent, who is called the devil and satan, who seduces the whole world; and he was cast forth upon Earth, and his angels were sent with him.

But behold! the ancient enemy of mankind and a murderer from the beginning has been fiercely aroused. Changing himself into an angel of light, he goes about with the whole multitude of the wicked spirits to invade the earth and blot out the Name of God and of His Christ, to plunder, to slay, and to consign to eternal damnation the souls that have been destined for a crown of everlasting life. This wicked serpent, like an unclean torrent, pours into men of depraved minds and corrupt hearts the poison of his malice, the spirit of lying, impiety and blasphemy, and the deadly breath of impurity and every form of vice and iniquity.

Be favorable to Thy Church, the Bride of the Lamb without spot, whose enemies have filled to overflowing with gall and inebriated with wormwood. They have laid profane hands upon Her most sacred treasures. Where the See of the most blessed Peter and the Chair of Truth has been constituted as a light to the nations, there they have placed a throne of their abomination and impiety; so that with the Pastor struck, they may prevail to disperse the flock.

Therefore, most invincible Leader, be with the people of God against this spiritual wickedness and bring about victory. Thou art venerated by Holy Church as Her guard and patron; Thou art glorified as our defender against the impious powers of earth and of hell. Unto thee the Lord hath handed over the souls of the redeemed to be placed in happiness above. Entreat the God of peace, to obliterate satan beneath our feet, lest he prevail further to hold men captive, and to injure the Church. Offer our prayers in the sight of the Most High, so that the mercy of the Lord may swiftly overtake us, and apprehend the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and satan, and send him bound into the abyss, so that he may seduce the nations no more. Henceforth having been confided to thy escort and protection, we sacred ministers by our authority [if recited by a layman, or cleric who has not yet taken up the order of exorcist, say instead, "by the authority of Holy Mother Church ], do undertake to repel the infestations of diabolical deceit in the Name of Jesus Christ, Our God and Lord.

V. Behold the Cross of the Lord, depart from us, our adversaries.
R. The Lion of the tribe of Juda, root of David, has conquered.
V. Let Thy mercy be upon us Lord.
R. As much as we hope in Thee.
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.
If recited by at least a deacon add the following
V. The Lord be with you all.
R. And with thy spirit.

Let us pray. O God, and Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, we invoke Thy Holy Name, and we humbly implore Thy clemency so that, through the intercession of Mary, the Immaculate ever-Virgin Mother of God, of blessed Michael the Archangel, of blessed Joseph, the Spouse of the same blessed Virgin, of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and of all the Saints, Thou may deign to offer us aid against satan, and all the other unclean spirits, who wander through the world to injure the human race and to destroy souls. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Pope Leo XIII, from the Roman Ritual, Rite of Exorcism

40 Days For Life Begins Today

2011-09-28T07:12:00.000-07:00

This fall's 40 Days for Life campaign is again the biggest to date and features vigils in 297 locations across the U.S. You can check out the map, catch up on news (another abortion clinic closed), and share at http://www.40daysforlife.com/.

The website is www.40daysforlife.com/santacruz.

It reflects ourresponse to all passerby's who were unaware of any abortion alternatives. On the resource page, we list the 11 closest pregnancy help centers along with their weblinks and phone numbers. There is also have this information on referral cards to distribute to the community. the
website also lists other helpful resources and advertises any and all fundraisers and events supporting the local pro-life communities.

40 Days For Life is not a protest, it is not a picket, nor a
political party. It is a prayer vigil praying to end abortion. It is has helped, and continue to help, provide alternatives to abortion.
It educats our neighbors about the local alternatives. It supports our local pregnancy resource centers. Now we put our efforts in God's hands and beseech Him to remove the blight of abortion from our nation.

We are asking you to join us to pray on-site as visible ambassadors of Christ. Please pick a two hour slot and pray to save our children. Register to pray with us at
http://vigilcalendar.com/santacruz/login/login_page
or contact us at
831-515-8058 or mailto:sc40daysforlife@gmail.com.
This contact info and prayerregistration is also available on our website.

Below are the several campaigns operating in the northern Monterey diocese:

Santa Cruz: www.40daysforlife.com/santacruz
Watsonville: www.40daysforlife.com/watsonville
Monterey/Seaside: www.40daysforlife.com/carmel

Ember Days: September 21st, 23rd, and 24th 2011

2011-09-20T22:00:00.000-07:00

What are the Ember Days? Ember days occur four times during the year. Some who are younger or converts may have never heard of Ember Days. They were once quite important in the life of a Catholic. The September Ember Days are today, September 21st, Friday the 23rd, and Saturday the 24th, 2011.

Where does the word, Ember, come from? In English, the word "ember" comes from the Anglo-Saxon ymbren, which means a circuit or revolution, to go around in a circle, relating to the annual cycle of the year, having to do with the seasons (from ymb, around, and ryne, a course, running). In Spanish, there is no equivalent word, so this was translated as “De Témporas.” Some think that the name Ember comes from the Latin title of “Quatour Temporum,” but it is disputed. For English, the Anglo-Saxon derivation is more likely.

The Ember Days are fasting days, so they have a penitential character to them. Pope Leo the Great (died 461) called these days the “ieiunia quatuor temporum,” the Fast of the Four Seasons. These days always occurred at the time the seasons changed. So on these days, we would ask for special blessings for the events that happened during this time, such as a harvest.

In the Old Testament, there were times of fasting proscribed for the Jews (Zechariah 8:19). There was also a Jewish custom at the time of Our Lord Jesus Christ of fasting every Tuesday and Thursday. Very early on, Christians amended these customs. Wednesday became a day of Fast because it was the day that Christ was betrayed (Luke 22), and Friday because it was the day Jesus gave up his flesh for us. Saturday as well became a day of fast as the Romans saw it as the culmination of the Ember Week. Pope Gelasius I also saw Ember Saturday as the day to confer Holy Orders, since Apostolic Tradition prescribed that ordinations be preceded by fasting and prayer (Act 13:3).

The Jewish seasonal fasts and the Catholic Ember Days invite us to consider the wonder of the natural seasons and their dependence and relation to God. The lessons that are read on these days remind us of the cycle of nature and even more, the story of our redemption. Traditionally, these times were seen as periods of spiritual exercise and self-examination, a precursor to modern retreats and missions.

When do these Ember days occur? They are on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, four times a year. In the Church year, they happen after the first Sunday of Lent, around Pentecost, after Holy Cross, then after St. Lucy, the 13th of December. There is a Latin mnemonic device to help remember when the Ember Days fell.

Dant Crux, Lucia, Cineres, Charismata Dia

Ut sit in angariâ quarta sequens feria.

“Holy Cross, Lucy, Ashes (Lent), and Pentecost

are the days of Fasting and Emberings."

Besides the penitential nature of these days, the Masses for these days are slightly different. On Wednesday, there are extra lessons before the Gospel, and on Saturday there are six lessons (seven on Ember Saturday in Advent). Readings that are read on Ember days are about the seasons. As an example, during Ember Saturday in September, we hear about harvests, and how we should be grateful to God for them. You could regulate your life by the Church calendar, such as when to plant crops. In relation, there would be blessings all through the year. On the Feast of St. John the Baptist, there was a blessing for Bonfires. Why not? All the branches from the trees and harvests would be dry and ready for kindling.

The fasting regulation for the Ember Days was only one full meal on Ember days, and on Ember Friday, no meat either was eaten, just like Ash Wednesday or Good Friday (1917 CIC 1252).

To look at the other lung of the Catholic Church, the Eastern part, there are fasts throughout the year, such as one before the Dormition (Assumption) of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and no Meat, Oil, Eggs, or Milk during Lent.

Currently the Ember Day partial fast is a penitential option (not a requirement) under current law. No one is obliged to observe the Ember Days. However, it is a beautiful step on the road to recovery of our Catholic identity. We can do what we did in the past, such as pray for the children to be born in the next three months, for a bountiful harvest, for many holy priests to offer the Sacrifice of the Mass, do alms-giving and other penitential and charitable acts, and prayer for the souls in Purgatory. Let us especially pray for our priests and our Bishop, Richard Garcia, for without priests, we do not have the Sacraments. Without our Bishop, we do not have communion with the Pope, the Vicar of Christ.

All things have their season,and in their times all things pass under heaven.

A time to be born and a time to die.

A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted.

A time to kill, and a time to heal.

A time to destroy, and a time to build.

A time to weep, and a time to laugh.A time to mourn, and a time to dance.

A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather.

A time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces.

A time to get, and a time to lose.

A time to keep, and a time to cast away.

A time to rend, and a time to sew.

A time to keep silence, and a time to speak.

A time of war, and a time of peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (DRV)

15th Sunday after Pentecost - Introit

2011-09-19T07:22:00.000-07:00

INTROIT (Ps. 85: 1, 2, 3)1. Inclina, Domine, aurem tuam ad me, et exaudi me:
2. salvum fac servum tuum, Deus meus, sperantern in te:
3. miserere mihi, Domine, quoniam at te clamavi tota die.
Ps. Laetifica animam servi tui: *
quia ad te, Domine, animam meam levavi.

l. Bow down thine ear, O Lord, to me, and hear me:
2. save thy servant, O my God, that trusteth in thee:
3. have mercy on me, O Lord, for I have cried to thee all the day.
Ps. Give joy to the soul of thy servant: *
for to thee, O Lord, have I lifted up my soul.

Concerning this Introit, Dom Dominic Johner writes:

Deus meus, sperantem in te forms the melodic nucleus of this Introit.Confidence in God is its theme. From this the many petitions, the manyimperatives, receive their character: Thou art my God; in Thee I trust.Calmly, and with a wealth of assurance, the seconds ascend to high do.At the end of each word, however, a slight bending back of the melodyoccurs: sol-fa, ti-la, do-la; in this manner the thesis that follows is preparedfor and introduced. It is quite impossible to sing this passage too ferventlyor too ardently. Confidence is sustained by reverence, and herewe pray: Deus meus. In the first and third phrases, as well as in thepsalm-verse, Domine must be well delineated.

The first phrase supports itself on la, the second on sol, the third on fa .The first half of the first phrase is made forceful by la; while the secondhalf surprises us by its descent into the lower range. We have met thesame intonation in various other chants. After the accent with thepressus, the remaining notes over Domine are modest and tender in character.In the second phrase the three notes over salvum are to be stressed.The concatenation of the thirds la-fa, sol-mi, fa-re characterizes the thirdphrase, as do also the low notes in its second half. It almost sounds likea De profundis, a call from the depths of human helplessness. Clamaviis a suppliant cry and resounds throughout the day. Over miserere, asfrequently happens, principal and secondary accent have only one note,while each of the following syllables has three.

Whoever examines his conscience according to the admonitions oftoday's Epistle will feel himself impelled to pray as this chant does. Forwe find it extremely difficult to persevere, to do good untiringly, to takecare that we be not tempted. It is hard for us to bear the burdens ofothers; each of us finds his own burden—the responsibility for all hisacts of commission and omission—heavy enough. Surely we have everyreason to cry to God: "Bow down Thine ear, hear me, heal me, save me,have mercy on me!" But we ought also to pray with confidence. Thereshould be no gloomy coloring to our song, not even in the third phrase.In the verse the Psalmist himself dares to pray: "Give joy to the soulof Thy servant."

Let us consider the final words of the psalm-verse: "To Thee, OLord, have I lifted up my soul." Is it true? Is my prayer and song anelevation of my being, of my whole personality, to God? Is it truly aGloria Patri?

The Universal Exaltation of the Holy & Life-Giving Cross of our Lord, God and Saviour, Jesus Christ

2011-09-14T01:26:00.000-07:00

Today the Cross of the Lord is exalted, and the faithful welcome it with Love.

Through it they receive healing of both soul and body, and are relieved of every weakness.

Let us kiss it with joy and fear; with joy because Christ the Lord was crucified in his great mercy upon it; with fear because of our unworthiness due to sin.

The the Cross, Christ our God grants salvation unto the world.

Doxastikon of of the Elevation of the Holy Cross

Adoramus te, Christe, et benedicimus tibi:

Quia per crucem tuam redemisti mundum.

This is also the anniversary of the coming into Effect of Summorum Pontificum. Let us give thanks to God for his mercy, and to the Holy Father, Benedict XVI. Ad multos Annos.

August 29th: Beheading Of St. John The Baptist

2011-08-29T08:03:00.001-07:00

August 29th is the Feast of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist.

Normally, we as Catholics celebrate the dies natalis, or birthday in Heaven of a Saint, Meaning the day of their death. There are two notable exceptions in the Calendar of the Catholic Church. One is the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of our Lord, and St. John the Baptist. The day we observe his beheading and martyrdom is today, the 29th of August. If we add in various other days in the Eastern Catholic Calendar, St. John the Baptist has 6 days dedicated to him, one of the few Saints to have multiple Feast days. some even obseve the Cenception of the Baptist as well.

From these here on out, the days are beginning to grow shorter. This feast day is in a sense, a midsummer's Christmas Eve. This day holds so much promise, the birth of a babe to barren parents. The true prodigy is still yet to come, a babe born of a Virgin, indeed the Saviour of the world on Christmas Day.

From the very beginning, God and Holy Mother Church bring about with thoughtful care many such parallels between the two Solemnities of the birth of St. John and the birth of the Lord. Just as the Angel announced to barren parents that they would conceive, the Angel also announces to Mary that she would bear a child. St. John, just like the statue in our Church, is always pointing to the Agnus Dei, the Lamb of God, "Behold, this is he! The one whose sandalstraps, I am not worthy to loosen!"

Ut Queant Laxis is the first line of a hymn in honor of St. John the Baptist. The Roman Breviary divides it into three parts and assigns the first, "Ut queant laxis" to Vespers. The second, "Antra deserti teneris sub annis", to Matins, the early morning prayer. The third, "O nimis felix, meritique celsi", to Lauds. Authorship of the hymn is generally credited to Paulus Diaconus, a Benedictine monk who lived in Lombardy during the 8th Century. A popular story amongst the Benedictines is that Paul the Deacon was to chant the Exsultet for Easter, but had a hoarse voice. Being as the Father of the Baptist lost his voice for disbelief with the birth of his son, Paul the Deacon prayed to St. John the Baptist that his voice be restored enough to chant for the Easter Vigil.

The hymn is written in Sapphic stanzas, meaning a type of poetry written over four lines. This first line is famous in the history of music for the reason that the notes of the melody correspond with the first six notes of the diatonic scale of C. This fact led to the syllabic naming of the notes as Ut, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La, as may be shown by capitalizing the initial syllables of the lines:

UT queant laxis
REsonare fibris
MIra gestorum
FAmuli tuorum,
SOLve polluti
LAbii reatum, Sancte Ioannes.

The UT has been replaced by DO as that has an open sound that is easier. So even is you have not heard much of this hymn to the Baptist, you know something of it, as we now have Do Re Mi from it.

Here is a Slide Show of images of Mission San Juan Bautista set to Ut Queant Laxis as chanted by the Schola Sanctae Sunnivae & Hartkeriana.

Ut queant laxis resonare fibris
Mira gestorum famuli tuorum,
Solve polluti labii reatum,
Sancte Iohannes!

Nuntius celso veniens Olympo
te patri magnum fore nasciturum,
nomen et vitae seriem gerendae
ordine promit.

Ille promissi dubius superni
perdidit promptae modulos loquelae;
sed reformasti genitus peremptae
organa vocis.

Ventris abstruso positus cubili
senseras regem thalamo manentem,
hinc parens nati meritis uterque
abdita pandit.

Laudibus cives celebrant superni
te, Deus simplex pariterque trine,
supplices ac nos veniam precamur:
parce redemptis! Amen.

So that these your servants can,
with all their voice, to sing your wonderful feats,
clean the blemish of our spotted lips.
O Saint John!

An angel came from the heavens
to announce your father
the greatness of your birth,
dictating your name and destination.

He (Zacarias) doubted of these divine promises
and was deprived of the use of the speech;
but when you were born it recovered
the voice that had lost.

Still locked in your mother's breast,
you felt the King's presence housed in the vestal womb.
And prophet, before being born,
you revealed this mystery to your parents.

Now as the Angels celebrate thy praises,
Godhead essential, Trinity co-equal ;
Spare thy redeemed ones, as they bow before thee,
Pardon imploring. Amen.

World Youth Day - an account

2011-08-20T20:42:00.000-07:00

From Catholic Culture, a link to a John Allen column about Youth Day in general and the participants in particular.

Once upon a time, the idea that the younger generation of intensely committed Catholics was more “conservative” belonged to the realm of anecdotal impressions. By now, it’s an iron-clad empirical certainty.

Where do you suppose those two sentences were published? In the Wanderer? No. The National Catholic Register? No again. They can be found in—of all places—the National Catholic Reporter, where columnist John Allen offers a fascinating, revealing—and, I think, entirely accurate— reflection on the reasons why World Youth Day has been such an enduring success.

Click here to read more

Gradual Uxor tua From A Solemn Nuptial Mass

2011-08-12T05:52:00.000-07:00

The Gradual, Uxor tua from a Nuptial Solemn High Mass.

Una Voce Conference at Thomas Aquinas College

2011-08-11T07:31:00.000-07:00

Una Voce Ventura Conference 2011
www.unavoceventura.org

Conference: "Applying the Fruits of the Extraordinary Rite to Family Life"
The manifest fruits of the Mass of Ages can provide a solid foundation for the spiritual life of your family. In this one-day conference, our two distinguished speakers will address what Catholic families can do and gain from a deeper appreciation of the traditional Latin Mass. Deep experience has shown that the reverence, solemnity, quiet and beauty of the Extraordinary Form of the Roman rite can produce rich spiritual growth and foster the formation of saints.

Saturday, September 10, 2011
9 am - 3 pm

Thomas Aquinas College
10000 Ojai Road
Santa Paula, California

Featured Speakers

Father James Fryar, FSSP is a priest of the Fraternity of St. Peter, and chaplain of the Confraternity of St. Peter. He broadcasts a Mass weekly from his Parish in Sarasota, Florida on the internet. He has conducted numerous pilgrimages and retreats.

Dr. Thomas Kaiser is a tutor at Thomas Aquinas College where he received his BA in liberal arts and subsequently his Ph.D. in Biology at the University of California at Los Angeles. His interest is in philosophy and theology, especially in the philosophy of nature.

Leo Raab, President of Una Voce Ventura, will moderate the program and introduce the speakers.

Pre-registration is required as seating is limited.
For conference information, please call (805) 683-0196.
Off-site babysitting arrangements are available.

Cost
$40 - Individual
$70 - Married Couples
$35 - Student

Mass For The Feast The Assumption, August 15th 2011

2011-08-11T03:39:00.000-07:00

There will be a Mass for the Feast of the Assumption on Monday, August 15th. at 6:00 pm at The Shrine of St. Joseph, 544 West Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz.

August 6th: Feast Of the Transfiguration of the Lord

2011-08-06T05:25:00.000-07:00

For an excellent article on this important Feast, you can head right on over to Fr. Z's blog where he drills into the day, and on the Lateran Basilica. Go here for the article.

Beach BBQ After Mass On August 14th

2011-08-02T15:18:00.000-07:00

The Monterey Bay Area Latin Mass Community will be having a beach barbecue on Sunday, August 14th., right after Mass at Natural Bridges State Park. We will not have a coffee hour after Mass that day. Natural Bridges State Beach is at the very end of West Cliff Drive, the road the Shrine is located on.

Simply keep driving past the shrine and West Cliff dead ends at Natural Bridges Beach. Please be aware that there is a daily use fee to be paid at the park entrance. It might be a good idea for some people to leave their cars on the street near the shrine and get a ride with others and split the fee. So, try to link up with others before or after Mass.

We will have a potluck with assigned dishes:
Those with last names A thru I -bring a side dish (non salad),

G thru N -bring a salad (fruit ,salad, or pasta),

M thru Z -bring a dessert.

We will have hot dogs and marinated tri-tip for which we will accept donations at the park. The beach is right below the picnic tables so the children (with adult supervision) could easily be on the beach playing if we wanted during the food prep. Bring all your beach equipment that you want and we will stay as long as we want.

See you there!

Beware Of Traffic In Santa Cruz This Weekend, July 24th 2011

2011-07-23T00:44:00.000-07:00

The annual Wharf to Wharf race takes place this Sunday, so there may be some traffic issues.

Please be aware of this situation and keep an eye out for confused runners.

4th Sunday after Pentecost - Communion

2011-07-05T18:28:00.000-07:00

(Ps. 17: 3)
1. Dominus firmamentum meum, et refugium meum, et liberator meus:
2. Deus meus adjutor meus.
1. The Lord is my firmament, and my refuge and my deliverer:
2. my God is my helper.

Chants of the Vatican Gradual, pp. 262-263:
In content, in feeling, and in mode this Communion is much like the Introit. We now go out into everyday life with its demands upon our energies—but God is our strength. Soon we are again threatened by dangers and death-dealing arrows—but God is our refuge. If we meet opposition interiorly - —God is our helper. Just now He has again become my God (Deus meus) in Holy Communion. Hence I have every reason to be consoled. "May the Sacrament we have received be our sure defense" (Postcommunion).

Quickening and strengthening confidence pervades this melody. This is already indicated by beginning on the dominant of the mode; also by the accumulation of the pressus of which there are no fewer than seven in this short chant. One is immediately struck by the similar endings over firmamentum meum and adjutor meus. But the opening f efdfc over Dominus, repeated a third higher over Deus as a g a f e d, has a very definite appeal. To this must be added the sober descent and confident ascent over refugium meum and the victorious, well-prepared accent over liberator. It is a song of joyful and unshakable confidence in God. In this manner the Apostles might have sung after the miraculous catch of fishes related in today's Gospel. Fired with this confidence, they went forth into the wide world to become fishers of men. At the behest of God they cast out their nets, and never was their work done in vain. Their trust in God was without any if or but; it was solid as granite and bright as the rays of the sun.

4th Sunday after Pentecost - Introit

2011-07-05T06:24:00.000-07:00

(Ps. 26: 1, 2)
1. Dominus illuminatio mea et salus mea, quem timebo?
2. Dominus defensor vitae meae, a quo trepidabo?
3. qui tribulant me inimici mei, ipsi infirmati sunt, et ceciderunt.
Ps. Si consistant adversum me castra: *
non timebit cor meum.

1. The Lord is my light and my salvation: whom shall I fear?
2. The Lord is the protector of my life: of whom shall I be afraid?
3. My enemies that trouble me have themselves been weakened and have fallen.
Ps. If armies in camp should stand together against me, *
my heart shall not fear.

Chants of the Vatican Gradual, pp.256-257:
Few selections in the entire Graduale have a melody so easily understood, so lucid in structure, and of such regular development as this Introit. From the introduction to the Preface we are familiar with the opening motive, which recurs throughout the entire piece. It begins the second phrase a fourth higher, and comes to a climax in the third, being heard also over a quo. Thus all three phrases are closely knit together. No lengthy pause must be made between them; they must follow one another in a lively, almost impetuous sequence, as an expression of most complete confidence in victory. Perhaps the early Christians sang this song in the dim, wan atmosphere of the catacombs. But the hearts of those who sang were full of light: for Christ had enlightened them. And even if their brothers and sisters above were led to martyrdom and thrown before the beasts, inwardly they possessed the courage and strength of lions: the victorious Lion of the tribe of Juda had imparted His fearlessness to them. Self-possessed and unafraid they entered the lists against the entire world, contemning death. For they were invested with the firm conviction that all these attacks would be repelled by the Church and that all their enemies, though they now appeared as mighty hosts strongly encamped (castra), would finally collapse utterly.

Prayer Intentions Of The Holy Father, July 2011

2011-07-04T19:41:00.000-07:00

The Pope’s general intention is: “That Christ may ease the physical and spiritual sufferings of those who are sick with AIDS, especially in the poorest countries.”

His missionary intention is: “That religious women in mission territories may be witnesses of the joy of the Gospel and living signs of the love of Christ.”

Happy 4th Of July!

2011-07-04T04:01:00.000-07:00

The Immaculate Conception

Bartolome Esteban Perez Murillo

Over at Father Z's site, he has Bishop Carroll's prayer for government. It was composed in 1791, and is as applicable now as then.

Bishop Carroll's prayer for government.

We pray, Thee O Almighty and Eternal God! Who through Jesus Christ hast revealed Thy glory to all nations, to preserve the works of Thy mercy, that Thy Church, being spread through the whole world, may continue with unchanging faith in the confession of Thy Name. We pray Thee, who alone art good and holy, to endow with heavenly knowledge, sincere zeal, and sanctity of life, our chief bishop, Pope N. , the Vicar of Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the government of his Church; our own bishop, N., all other bishops, prelates, and pastors of the Church; and especially those who are appointed to exercise amongst us the functions of the holy ministry, and conduct Thy people into the ways of salvation. We pray Thee O God of might, wisdom, and justice! Through whom authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgment decreed, assist with Thy Holy Spirit of counsel and fortitude the President of these United States, that his administration may be conducted in righteousness, and be eminently useful to Thy people over whom he presides; by encouraging due respect for virtue and religion; by a faithful execution of the laws in justice and mercy; and by restraining vice and immorality. Let the light of Thy divine wisdom direct the deliberations of Congress, and shine forth in all the proceedings and laws framed for our rule and government, so that they may tend to the preservation of peace, the promotion of national happiness, the increase of industry, sobriety, and useful knowledge; and may perpetuate to us the blessing of equal liberty. We pray for his excellency, the governor of this state , for the members of the assembly, for all judges, magistrates, and other officers who are appointed to guard our political welfare, that they may be enabled, by Thy powerful protection, to discharge the duties of their respective stations with honesty and ability. We recommend likewise, to Thy unbounded mercy, all our brethren and fellow citizens throughout the United States, that they may be blessed in the knowledge and sanctified in the observance of Thy most holy law; that they may be preserved in union, and in that peace which the world cannot give; and after enjoying the blessings of this life, be admitted to those which are eternal. Finally, we pray to Thee, O Lord of mercy, to remember the souls of Thy servants departed who are gone before us with the sign of faith and repose in the sleep of peace; the souls of our parents, relatives, and friends; of those who, when living, were members of this congregation, and particularly of such as are lately deceased; of all benefactors who, by their donations or legacies to this Church, witnessed their zeal for the decency of divine worship and proved their claim to our grateful and charitable remembrance. To these, O Lord, and to all that rest in Christ, grant, we beseech Thee, a place of refreshment, light, and everlasting peace, through the same Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior.

Amen.

Feast Of The Sacred Heart Of Jesus

2011-07-01T10:15:00.000-07:00

"We institute the Feast of the Kingship of Our Lord Jesus Christ to be observed yearly throughout the whole world. . . . We further ordain that the dedication of mankind to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which Our predecessor of saintly memory, Pope Pius X, commanded to be renewed yearly, be made annually on that day."

Quas Primas, Encyclical of Pope Pius XI, December 11, 1925.

The mandate of Pope Pius XI to recite publicly the Act of Consecration of the Human Race to the Sacred Heart of Jesus has never been rescinded. It was customary in the past to renew the Act of Consecration at Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament on the afternoon or evening of the feast of Christ the King.

Act of Consecration of the Human Race to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Most sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, look down us humbly prostrate before Thy altar. We are Thine, and Thine we wish to be; but, to be more surely united with Thee, behold each one of us freely consecrates himself to-day to Thy most Sacred Heart. Many indeed have never known Thee, many too, despising Thy precepts, have rejected Thee. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to Thy Sacred Heart.

Be Thou King, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken Thee, but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned Thee; grant that they may quickly return to their Father's house lest they die of wretchedness and hunger.

Be Thou King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions, or whom discord keeps aloof, and call them back to the harbor of truth and unity of faith, so that soon there may be but one flock and one Shepherd.

Be Thou King of all those who are still involved in the darkness of idolatry or of Islamism, and refuse not to draw them all into the light and kingdom of God.

Turn Thine eyes of mercy toward the children of that race, once Thy chosen people; of old they called down upon themselves the Blood of the Saviour, may it now descend upon them a laver of redemption and of life.

Grant, O Lord, to Thy Church assurance of freedom and immunity from harm; give peace and order to all nations, and make the earth resound from pole to pole with one cry: Praise be to the Divine Heart that wrought our salvation; to It be glory and honor for ever.

Amen.

Happy Canada Day, 2011!

2011-07-01T04:44:00.000-07:00

North American Martyrs

Many people attend the Latin Mass, and come from all sorts of backgrounds. One group in particular are those who come from the beautiful land up north, the Dominion of Canada. Today is Canada Day for Canadians, celebrating the Confederation of the Country in 1867.

May the patrons of Canada, SS. Isaac Jogues, Anne, George, Jean de Brebeuf, Joseph, Mary of the Hurons, Our Lady of the Cape, and the Jesuit Martyrs of North America ever watch and intercede for her.

Omnes Sancti Canadensis, Orate pro nobis.

Getting To The Shrine Of St. Joseph, Santa Cruz

2011-06-29T20:43:00.000-07:00

As the Latin Mass will be moving to the Shrine of St. Joseph, Guardian of the Redeemer, this coming Sunday, it is important to know how to gt there.

There are some directions here. The directions are from Watsonville.

Here are some visual directions as well.

As you head on up on Highway 1, you will be approaching Santa Cruz. Here is the approach to what is known as the Fishhook.

Here is the Fishhook. You will need to slow down to about 20-30 mph here.

Right after the Fishhook, stay in the right hand lanes, so that you can continue on Highway 1 towards Half Moon Bay.

You will then take a left onto Mission St. You will pass by Holy Cross Church on this street. You will then take the first right you can take onto Center Street. You will continue on this street. You will pass the Louden Nelson Centre on the right.

Center Street will end, and you will continue onto Beach Street to the right. You will then approach a roundabout, the one below.

At this roundabout, you will go to the right again, onto West Cliff Drive.

Here is West Cliff Drive. It goes up a little hill. You are almost there!

Once on West Cliff Drive, it is one lane, and you will cross a trestle bridge. Continue on West Cliff past the hotels.

You will see some lovely sights of the Boardwalk on the left hand side. However, you are about to see the Shrine on the right hand side, like below.

You made it! You are at the Shrine!

Ss. Peter and Paul - Introit

2011-06-29T19:49:00.000-07:00

Three years ago, our community had its first High Mass in Mission San Juan Bautista. It was the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, and here is the Introit from that Mass.

(Acts 12: 11)
1. Nunc scio vere, quia misit Dóminus Angelum suum:
2. et erípuit me de manu Heródis, et de omni exspectatióne plebis Judæórum.
Ps. Dómine, probásti me, et cognovísti me: *
tu cognovísti sessiónem meam, et resurrectiónem meam.

1. Now I truly know that the Lord has sent His Angel:
2. and He took me out of the hand of Herod, and from every expectation of the Jewish people.
Ps. O Lord, you have tested me, and You have known me: *
you have known my sitting, and my standing.

With the words of the Introit St. Peter makes public the experiences of his soul at the time he was miraculously liberated from prison. The text and thought serve nicely as a prelude to the clear text of the Epistle which follows, and which is likewise taken from the Acts of the Apostles. Peter is in prison, the universal Church the meanwhile praying for his deliverance. God then intervenes miraculously, but only at the last moment, for the beheading of St. Peter was to have taken place on the following morning. Divine intervention often comes only when, humanly speaking, every other resource has been exhausted. Peter, ever trusting, is not perturbed; he removes his sandals, takes off his mantle and lays himself down to sleep. An angel enters his cell, loosens the chains that bind him, and bids him put on sandals and cloak. Together they pass by the iron gate which opens of itself. St. Peter, however, does not realize the meaning of these happenings; to him they seem unreal and dreamlike. It is only after the angel has accompanied him for some distance and then vanishes that he comprehends the situation and knows that he has been saved.

Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus - Communion

2011-06-27T07:31:00.000-07:00

(John 19: 34)
1. Unus militum lancea latus eius aperuit, et continuo exivit sanguis et aqua.

1. One of the soldiers with a spear opened his side, and immediately there came out blood and water.

This recording of the Communion antiphon is from the Papal Mass in the Cathedral of the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ, City of Westminster, September 18th 2010, during Pope Benedict's trip to Great Britain for the Beatification of John Henry Newman.

Dom Johner:
Like the Offertory, the Communion emphasizes the thought of Christ's sufferings. The soldier who opened the side of Christ certainly had no premonition of the blessings his action presaged. The Heart of Jesus is opened and will remain open forevermore, "a rest for the pious and a refuge of salvation for the penitent" (Preface). The water and blood which flowed from His side are symbols of the graces bestowed in Baptism and in the Holy Eucharist.

Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus - Introit

2011-06-27T07:19:00.000-07:00

(Ps. 32: 11, 19)
1. Cogitationes Cordis eius in generatione et generationem:
2. ut eruat a morte animas eorum et alat eos in fame.
Ps. Exultate iusti in Domino; *
rectos decet collaudatio.

1. The thoughts of His heart are from generation to generation;
2. that He may deliver their souls from death and feed them in famine.
Ps. Exult you just in the Lord; *
praise becomes the upright.

Dom Johner writes of this Introit:

The words of the Introit point to the significance of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the history not only of the world but of the individual soul. That it might deliver humanity from eternal death, the Heart of Jesus itself went into death. In order to appease the hunger of souls and bring salvation to the world, this Heart offered its very flesh and blood, yes, its own Self together with its overflowing truth and love. And this offering was not an isolated event of the remote past only, but continues from generation to generation—in generatione et generationem. To be an inspiration at all times and daily to bring divine consolation is the constant yearning, desire, and will of the Sacred Heart. How manifold have been its experiences with the souls of men and how varied the reactions to its all-embracing love! There have always been and will always be souls that requite love for love by making a complete oblation of self. But there are also the great number of those who close their souls to the influences of divine love, who are irresponsive to the many gifts of grace, and who show themselves faithless even to the point of hatred. In spite of all this, the Heart of Jesus has not become embittered; although wounded, it continues to pour forth the riches of its merciful love. It is ever faithful, prepared to give help in generatione et generationem. As the Mother of God sings of the mercies of the Lord that continue from generation to generation, so the Preface of today reminds us that the fire of love in the Sacred Heart continues to burn without interruption. ...

Like the text, which is composed of different verses of the same psalm, the melody is a combination of various parts of several Introits. The melody over Cogitationes Cordis eius in generatione shows some similarity to that over Domine refugium factus es nobis a generatione at the beginning of the Introit for Tuesday after the first Sunday of Lent. The fact that both excerpts end with the same word may have brought about this association. The following et generationem repeats in abbreviated form the melody over conventum facite in the Introit Laetare of the fourth Sunday of Lent. The entire second phrase et eruat is the same as the third phrase of the Introit Laetare. In the original melody, exsultetis depicts a feeling of jubilation, the accented syllable of satiemini is effectively emphasized, while the wide intervals of a fourth and fifth, together with the agreeable melody which stresses the word accent of consolationis, give us a premonition and experience of the fullness of divine consolation.

June 24th: Feast Of Saint John The Baptist

2011-06-24T00:08:00.000-07:00

June 24th is the Feast of St. John the Baptist, the Patron of our Parish.

Normally, we as Catholics celebrate the dies natalis, or birthday in Heaven of a Saint, Meaning the day of their death. There are two notable exceptions in the Calendar of the Catholic Church. One is the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of our Lord, and St. John the Baptist. Today is the day we commemorate his birth. The day we observe his beheading and martyrdom is the 29th of August. If we add in various other days in the Eastern Catholic Calendar, St. John the Baptist has 6 days dedicated to him, one of the few Saints to have multiple Feast days.

Why so many days for St. John the Baptist? What is so special?

From these here on out, the days are beginning to grow shorter. This feast day is in a sense, a midsummer's Christmas Eve. This day holds so much promise, the birth of a babe to barren parents. The true prodigy is still yet to come, a babe born of a Virgin, indeed the Saviour of the world on Christmas Day.

From the very beginning, God and Holy Mother Church bring about with thoughtful care many such parallels between the two Solemnities of the birth of St. John and the birth of the Lord. Just as the Angel announced to barren parents that they would conceive, the Angel also announces to Mary that she would bear a child. St. John, just like the statue in our Church, is always pointing to the Agnus Dei, the Lamb of God, "Behold, this is he! The one whose sandalstraps, I am not worthy to loosen!"

Ut Queant Laxis is the first line of a hymn in honor of St. John the Baptist. The Roman Breviary divides it into three parts and assigns the first, "Ut queant laxis" to Vespers. The second, "Antra deserti teneris sub annis", to Matins, the early morning prayer. The third, "O nimis felix, meritique celsi", to Lauds. Authorship of the hymn is generally credited to Paulus Diaconus, a Benedictine monk who lived in Lombardy during the 8th Century. A popular story amongst the Benedictines is that Paul the Deacon was to chant the Exsultet for Easter, but had a hoarse voice. Being as the Father of the Baptist lost his voice for disbelief with the birth of his son, Paul the Deacon prayed to St. John the Baptist that his voice be restored enough to chant for the Easter Vigil.

The hymn is written in Sapphic stanzas, meaning a type of poetry written over four lines. This first line is famous in the history of music for the reason that the notes of the melody correspond with the first six notes of the diatonic scale of C. This fact led to the syllabic naming of the notes as Ut, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La, as may be shown by capitalizing the initial syllables of the lines:

UT queant laxis
REsonare fibris
MIra gestorum
FAmuli tuorum,
SOLve polluti
LAbii reatum, Sancte Ioannes.

The UT has been replaced by DO as that has an open sound that is easier. So even is you have not heard much of this hymn to the Baptist, you know something of it, as we now have Do Re Mi from it.

Here is a Slide Show of images of Mission San Juan Bautista set to Ut Queant Laxis as chanted by the Schola Sanctae Sunnivae & Hartkeriana.

Ut queant laxis resonare fibris
Mira gestorum famuli tuorum,
Solve polluti labii reatum,
Sancte Iohannes!

Nuntius celso veniens Olympo
te patri magnum fore nasciturum,
nomen et vitae seriem gerendae
ordine promit.

Ille promissi dubius superni
perdidit promptae modulos loquelae;
sed reformasti genitus peremptae
organa vocis.

Ventris abstruso positus cubili
senseras regem thalamo manentem,
hinc parens nati meritis uterque
abdita pandit.

Laudibus cives celebrant superni
te, Deus simplex pariterque trine,
supplices ac nos veniam precamur:
parce redemptis! Amen.

So that these your servants can,
with all their voice, to sing your wonderful feats,
clean the blemish of our spotted lips.
O Saint John!

An angel came from the heavens
to announce your father
the greatness of your birth,
dictating your name and destination.

He (Zacarias) doubted of these divine promises
and was deprived of the use of the speech;
but when you were born it recovered
the voice that had lost.

Still locked in your mother's breast,
you felt the King's presence housed in the vestal womb.
And prophet, before being born,
you revealed this mystery to your parents.

Now as the Angels celebrate thy praises,
Godhead essential, Trinity co-equal ;
Spare thy redeemed ones, as they bow before thee,
Pardon imploring. Amen.

Announcement From Father: June 19th, 2011

2011-06-23T18:29:00.000-07:00

Once again, I want to thank all of you who have continued to be so good to me in my absence, who have given me prayers and support, often in sacrificial ways. Know that you are in my prayers, mentioned when I offer Mass, and in my heart.


Today, in addition to being Trinity Sunday, is also, in the civil calendar, Father’s Day. And through the good graces of the spiritualFather of our Diocese, I have been told that I will soon be able to come back to you, to return to this beloved community.  For that I thank God, our Bishop, and you, for your many, many prayers. I ask you to continue praying for all the people, all of them, involved in this confusing and troubling case which has taken away so much of our peace and hurt so many people. Only in God can the soul find rest.


And I ask you, beg you, to blame no one, to judge no one, to condemn no one. Just to pray.

However, there is a second part of this, which will require more sacrifice still for many of you.

It is Bishop Garcia’s intention that we find a church for ourselves, a church for the Traditional Latin Mass, our own parish. That will take some time.


In the meantime, for reasons that are not entirely clear, we have been asked to move to a temporary site away from this Mission. Unless that changes--and it could--but unless it does, we will have to begin offering Mass at the shrine of the Oblates of St. Joseph in Santa Cruz
starting the first week of July.


Although we still hope that we could stay at this Mission which has been our home, there are some positive things about the the Shrine of St. Joseph. Among them, we would be able to have a morning Mass, although it would be early--at 8:45 a.m. It will require traveling for
many of you, but again, it would allow us to be a little more traditional and family oriented, with a morning Mass. It would also allow people to get into Santa Cruz before the heaviest tourist traffic at the beaches.


I still pray we don’t have to move, but if we do, I pray that it will be the first clear step towards a parish of our own and what has long been our desire--a full and normal Catholic life for us and for all who come to us. God bless you and especially may He bless all fathers
among you today and all your fathers.

Yours in Christ,
Fr. Nicholas Milich

Corpus Christi - Communion

2011-06-22T21:25:00.000-07:00

(I Cor. 11: 26, 27)
1. Quotiescumque manducabitis panem hunc, et calicem bibetis, mortem Domini annuntiabitis, donec veniat:
2. itaque quicumque manducaverit panem, vel biberit calicem Domini indigne, reus erit corporis et sanguinis Domini, alleluia.

1. As often as you shall eat of this bread and drink the chalice, you shall show forth the death of the Lord, until he come:
2. therefore whosoever shall eat this bread or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord, alleluia.

The Offertory took its melody from Whitsunday. It was natural, then, to borrow the Communion melody from the same Mass. But there is a great difference in content and spirit between the two. Here the rendition should be inspired by the intensely serious text. Taking only the text into consideration, this Communion is a direct continuation of the Communion for Passion Sunday. Every Eucharistic celebration, every Holy Communion announces the death of the Lord. Bread and wine are consecrated separately. By virtue of the words of consecration, under the species of bread the Body of the Lord is represented, as it were, bloodless and lifeless, just as the Blood of the Lord is, so to say, separate in the chalice. But our faith tells us that under both species Christ is totally present. Christ is present: how pure, then, must be our heart! What a frightful sacrilege does he commit who communicates unworthily! For him the bread of life and the chalice of salvation open the door to destruction, to damnation.

After the impressive Domini we may not disregard the significant indigne. After corporis or after erit a very slight pause is recommended. The words donec veniat receive an independent melodic phrase. Therein is voiced the guarantee that the Holy Eucharist, the holy Sacrifice, and Holy Communion, with their infinite blessings will be preserved in the Church arid will continue until the end of time, until the Lord will come for the final judgment. Then shall we see Him as He is, face to face, and with ineffable bliss we shall be allowed to immerse ourselves in His glory.

The alleluia at the end, which sounds rather strange after the words of the text, is demanded, first of all, by the analogy with the Introit and the Offertory. Secondly, it softens the seriousness of the words and gently leads back to the fundamental idea of the entire feast, the mentis jubilatio, to the grateful exultation of the heart, which again is given full play in the procession.

A Short history Of The Feast Of Corpus Christi

2011-06-22T01:58:00.000-07:00

The Feast of Corpus Christi is tomorrow, June 23rd. It is on the first free Thursday following Paschaltide, and outside the Octave of Pentecost. This was done to draw a parallel with the Institution of the Mass on a Thursday.

The story of Corpus Christi begins with St. Juliana of Liege, a Belgian Augustinian Nun. St. Juliana had visions, and a desire for a Feast of the Blessed Sacrament under the title of Corpus Christi. She is said to have had dreams of a Full Moon with a small smudge or dark spot, signifying the absence of this Solemnity of Corpus Christi. St. Juliana died in 1253.

It is hard to imagine, or perhaps not, but the time period around the foundation of the Feast was a time whe people were becoming lax in their Faith, and not paying attention to the things that are of the Lord, and instead concentrating on earthly desires.

An indication of this falling away from the Faith is the Miracle of Bolsena, which happened in 1263. Peter of Prague, a German priest, during a pilgrimage to Rome, stopped at the Church of St. Christina in Bolsena to offer Mass. While he was a holy and devout man, he harbored doubts about the Real Presence -- doubts which were completely resolved when the Host he consecrated during that Mass began to bleed. He rushed to meet Pope Urban IV in Orvieto, bringing the Host with him. The miracle was declared, and the Host is still on display at the Cathedral of Orvieto today.

One of the people St. Juliana petioned for a Feast of Corpus Christi was Jacques Pantaléon, Archdeacon of the Cathedral of Liege, (who later became Pope Urban IV), and the bishop, Robert de Thorete. At the time, Bishops could institute Feasts in their Dioceses. Pope Urban became Pope in 1261. Because of a love for this Feast and a desire to extend this to the universal Church, Pope Urban commissioned the two great theologians of the day from the University of Paris, St. Thomas Aquinas, and St. Bonanventure, to compose an Office and Mass for the Feast of Corpus Christi.

Tolomeo di Lucca writes in the Historia Ecclesiatica nova (1312) that St. Thomas Aquinas wrote the Mass and the Office for Corpus Christi between 1261 and 1263. In the summer after Pentecost of 1263 (the dates are unknown), Pope Urban called the two theologians to Rome to present what they had written.

The scene that comes down to us is that St. Thomas, by lot, was to present what he had written first, with St. Bonaventure presenting second. Both the Saints had choirs of their respective orders, Dominicans and Franciscans, to assist them in chanting the Office and Mass.

St. Thomas and his choir, going first, then begin what they had written, starting with First Vespers, and the Antiphon of Sacerdos in Aeternum. It then proceeds on with Psalms 109, 110, 115, 127, and 147. They then come to what has been described as as a clashing of cymbals, the hymn, Pange Lingua.

What has come down to us is the story that after hearing the Pange Lingua, the Sermon St. Thomas composed, and the lessons, St. Bonaventure, with tears of joy, disposed of the Folios that he had written his submission of the Office and Mass on, and cast them into a fireplace, and removed himself from the hearing (although summer, fires were common ways to dispose of refuse). One of the Franciscan friars took the folios out of danger, because we do have what was to have become a sequence, but is now a beautiful prayer for after Communion, the Transfige.

On September 8th, 1263, Pope Urban IV with Papal Bull Transiturus de hoc mundo, extended the Feast of Corpus Christi to the whole world.

Pope Benedict, as Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, wrote Feast of Faith. In that book Benedict XVI reflected on the feast of Corpus Christi. His Holiness wrote about the sad decline of Eucharistic devotions after the Second Vatican Council and compared that with what the Council of Trent taught. The Council of Trent said that the purpose of Corpus Christi was to arouse gratitude in the hearts of men and to remind them of their common Lord. (cf. Decr. desc. Euch., c. 5; DS 1644). His Holiness wrote:

Corpus Christi is to counter man’s forgetfulness, to elicit his thankfulness, and it has something to do with fellowship, with that unifying power which is at work where people are looking for the one Lord. A great deal could be said about this; for with our computers, meetings and appointments we have become appallingly thoughtless and forgetful (pp. 128-9).

Let us consider Trent again for a moment. There we find the unqualified statement that Corpus Christi celebrates Christ’s triumph, his victory over death. Just as, according to our Bavarian custom, Christ was honored in the terms of a great state visit, Trent harks back to the practice of the ancient Romans who honored their victorious generals by holding triumphal processions on their return. The purpose of Christ’s campaign was to eliminate death, that death which devours time and makes us cultivate the lie in order to forget or “kill” time. … Far from detracting from the primacy of reception which is expressed in the gifts of bread and wine, it actually reveals fully and for the first time what “receiving” really means, namely, giving the Lord the reception due to the Victor. To receive him means to worship him; to receive him means precisely, Quantum potes tantum aude – dare to do as much as you can. (p. 130).

So why do we have a Feast done on a Sunday that is properly done on a Thursday? Ascension Thursday falls on a weekday, but why can we move Corpus Christi to the following Sunday?

This stems from the fact that in our Country the Feast of Corpus Christi is not a Holy Day of Obligation. By contrast, Ascension Thursday is a Holy Day of Obligation, and is so by force of Canon Law. Corpus Christi is not a Holy Day of Obligation, but it is praiseworthy to expose the greatest amount of Faithful to the Blessed Sacrament as possible. Therefore, it is permissible to translate the Feast of Corpus Christi to the following Sunday, and make it the External Feast of Corpus Christi. The concept of External Solemnity means that the Feast can be said on Sunday, but the entire Feast and its Office is not transferred and removed from Thursday

Why is Corpus Christi not a Holy Day of Obligation? Up until nearly 100 years ago, the United States was considered a Mission Territory, with large parts of the United States still under the Congregation for Propaganda, which today would be called the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith. Bishops were sometimes assigned to the United States directly form that Congregation. Being a largely agricultural country at the time, and with a small Catholic population flung over wide areas (the distance from Salinas to Boston is greater than the distance from Lisbon, Portugal to Moscow Russia), it was decided by the Third Council of Baltimore that, as a concession to domestic livelihood, those Holy Days that took place in summer would not be Holy Days of Obligation so that people would not suffer from being away from farms or work during crucial harvest times.

In other countries with a concentrated or large Catholic population, Corpus Christi is a Holy Day of Obligation, such as Mexico.

Resources used include: Corpus Christi: The Eucharist In Late Medieval Culture, by Miri Rubin; The Feast of Corpus Christi, by Barbara R. Walters

Feast of Corpus Christi - Introit

2011-06-20T20:05:00.000-07:00

CORPUS CHRISTI
With the words Exsultate—jubilate of the Introit-verse is announced the theme of today's feast, of the Mass, and of the procession which follows. The psalm from which these words have been taken was once sung at the feast of Tabernacles, which was celebrated in the open, in tents constructed of boughs in memory of the tent-life of Israel in the desert. Hence it also refers to the dwelling of God with us in the desert of this world, and to today's festive procession in the open over a path decorated with boughs. Today Mother Church's heart overflows with joy — with joy that extends beyond the confines of the church building. All Nature is to exult with her. And, conversely, Nature, with her trees now wearing their most beautiful green, with her wreaths and garlands, is allowed to make a solemn entry into the church. For this is also her festal day. From her the Saviour has selected the two species, bread and wine, under the appearance of which He gives Himself to us.

In 1264, under Pope Urban IV, this feast was extended to the universal Church; its liturgy was composed by St. Thomas Aquinas (+ 1274). The melodies have been borrowed from earlier Sundays or feasts; the following Introit, for instance, has received both text and melody from the Monday in Whitsun (Pentecost - Ed.) Week.

INTROIT (Ps. 80: 17)
1. Cibavit eos ex adipe frumenti alleluia:
2. et de petra, melle saturavit eos,
3. alleluia, alleluia, alleluia,
Ps. Exsultate Deo adjutori nostro: *
jubilate Deo Jacob.

1. He fed them with the fat of wheat, alleluia:
2. and filled them with honey out of the rock,
3. alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Ps. Rejoice to God our helper: *
sing aloud to the God of Jacob.

Trinity Sunday - Communion

2011-06-16T21:55:00.000-07:00

COMMUNION (Tob. 12: 6)
1. Benedicimus Deum caeli,
2. et coram omnibus viventibus confitebimur ei:
3. quia fecit nobiscum misericordiam suam.

1. We bless the God of heaven,
2. and before all living we will praise him:
3. because he has shown his mercy to us.

Dom Johner:
The first phrase is very faithful to its original (see p. 229); not so the second. The melody over qua fecit, which here opens the third phrase, forms the close of the second phrase in the original. Here again the phrasing is not entirely happy. Small heterogeneous pieces compose the last part: nobiscum is like scuto in the Communion for the first Sunday of Lent; the close is found in a number of chants, for example in the Introit for the tenth Sunday after Pentecost over in aeternum.

We still are numbered among the living who can praise and thank God. In each holy Mass the triune God makes holy our sacrificial gifts and converts them into the sacrifice of Christ, and in the sacrificial Banquet the Father and the Holy Ghost, together with the Son, join themselves to us, and thus prove that their life and mercy are truly infinite

Trinity Sunday - Introit

2011-06-16T07:47:00.000-07:00

INTROIT (Tob. 12: 6)
1. Benedicta sit sancta Trinitas, atque indivisa Unitas:
2. confitebimur ei, quia fecit nobiscum misericordiam suam.
Ps. Domine Dominus noster: *
quam admirabile est nomen tuum in universa terra.

1. Blessed be the Holy Trinity and undivided Unity:
2. we will give glory to him, because he hath shown his mercy to us.
Ps. O Lord, our Lord: *
how wonderful is thy name in the whole earth.

Dom Johner, in his "Chants of the Vatican Gradual", says:

TRINITY SUNDAY (The first Sunday after Pentecost)
It was not until 1334 that this feast was extended to the universal Church. As early as the eighth century, however, the Mass formulary had been composed for a votive high Mass in honor of the Holy Trinity. In the earliest manuscripts we can therefore find the chants for this feast. But in great part they are only accommodations of melodies from other texts. The Introit has its melody from the first Sunday of Lent, the Gradual and the Offertory from the feast of SS. Peter and Paul, and the Communion is a free adaptation of the Communion Feci judicium from the second Mass for a Virgin Martyr.

In and by Himself God is infinitely happy. A sea of delight issues from the Father to the Son, and from both of these it overflows upon the Holy Ghost, and again flows back from Him. And yet it seems that
something in the essence of the infinite God seeks for some further complement. Nothing is wanting to His perfect happiness, but He would share His love with others and pour blessings, grace, and happiness upon them from His own overflowing Heart. Every act of God toward His creatures is therefore an act of charity. Still more resplendent, however, does God's mercy appear when He offers reconciliation and forgiveness to sinful man after he has trodden God's holiness underfoot, when He renovates the temple of the soul which man in his folly has wasted and destroyed, and adorns it with His gifts of grace. We can never sufficiently thank God for this great love. What a price He paid for our redemption!

Today, then, we hear this phrase repeated in the Introit, Offertory, and Communion: "He hath shown His mercy to us." The entire Mass formulary becomes one great "Glory be to the Father. . . " as a conclusion to the work of redemption begun at Christmas and brought to completion at Pentecost. Each of today's chants begins with an exhortation to praise God; Introit: Benedicta; Gradual, Alleluia verse, and Offertory: Benedictus; Communion: Benedicimus. Few Mass formularies exhibit such unified structure.

Pentecost at the Pantheon

2011-06-09T03:26:00.000-07:00

Every year at Pentecost, the Roman Fire Department (Vigili del Fuoco) sends a crew up onto the dome of the Pantheon to drop rose petals from the oculus.

Here is a video taken last year of the event. You can just barely hear a choir chanting "Veni Sancte Spiritus" in the background. (If you look closely, at about 1:30 a dove files into the oculus and starts circling underneath.)

This history and architecture of this building are very fascinating.

Holiness In The Bay Area Part 2: Ignatius Cardinal Kung

2011-06-07T12:21:00.000-07:00

Our second part of Holiness in the Bay Area will now take us to China.

Christianity in China begins with the arrival of Nestorian Monks from Syria around the year 600. Catholics would arrive soon afterwards, and established itself in such cities as Shengan, Shanghai, Canton (Guagzhou), and other towns that had a a significant Catholic population.

Bishop Kung, 1949

Cardinal Kung Foundation

Ignatius Kung (Gong) Pin-Mei was born on the 2nd of August, 1901 in P'ou-tong, near Shanghai. He was raised in the Catholic Faith through his youth, and was consecrated as a Priest on the 28th of May 1930.

For 19 years, he did pastoral work in and around Shanghai. In 1949, on the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, Cardinal Kung was consecrated Bishop of Soochow. On the 15th of July 1950, he was also named named Bishop of Shanghai, and also as the Apostolic Administrator of Soochow (Zhouchow) and Nanking. All this as the Communists were taking over China.

In the midst of persecution, Bishop Kung declared 1952 to be a Marian Year for China, with public displays of Our Lady of Fatima. At the end of the year, Bishop Kung led the Faithful to Christ the King Church in Shanghai, where the Priests had been arrested only a month before. He led the Rosary, and in front of hundreds of armed police looking on, he said, "Holy Mother, we do not ask you for a miracle. We do not beg you to stop the persecutions. But we beg you to support us who are very weak."

In 1955, then Bishop Kung was arrested by the Chinese government. His crime? Failure to renounce God, and pledge fealty to the Communist government. In just five years, he had inspired the three million Catholics of China, with the exhortation to offer up their lives. In defiance of a State created Patriotic Catholic Church, Bishop Kung created the Legion of Mary for his country dedicated to the veneration of the Blessed Virgin Mary. When he was arrested, 200 other priests and catechists were arrested as well. They were all taken the the Dog Track Stadium where those arrested would be brought up to the crowd, and forced to confess their crimes. The 5 foot tall Bishop was brought up to the microphone, and said, "Long live Christ the King, Long live the Pope." The crowd responded immediately, "Long live Christ the King, Long live Bishop Kung". Bishop Kung was quickly dragged away to the police car and disappeared from the world until he was brought to trial in 1960. Bishop Kung was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Cardinal Kung was offered a few times safe passage out of China if he would name his Priests, but he stood by them, and sore his loyalty to the Pope and the Catholic Church.

Even while in prison, Cardinal Kung never stopped his evangelization efforts, preaching even to his captors and jailers. he was denied visits from all, and kept in isolation. He was not even allowed money to buy essentials, which was the right of all prisoners.

His nephew in the United States, Joseph Kung, spearheaded the efforts to have Bishop Kung released from prison. As pressured mounted to have Bishop released, Pope John Paul II named Bishop Kung as a Cardinal in pecctore. This means in the breast, meaning secretly. This is done to those Priests, Bishops, where it might be dangerous to name them as Cardinals in public.

In 1986, bishop Kung was released to house arrest. Steam was gathering for his outright release.

In 1988, Jaime Cardinal Sin was allowed to be in the same room as Bishop (Cardinal) Kung. There were 20 other communists in the room, and the two bishops were not allowed to personally meet or talk. It had been the first time that Bishop Kung had met one of his fellow bishops sinc he ad been imprisoned. Cardinal Sin was inspired to ask of everyone to sing a song as this was something to celebrate. Bishop Kung looked at the other Communists and patriotic Bishops, and sang,"Tu es Petrus et super hanc petram aedificabo Ecclesiam" (You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church), With a simple song, Bishop Kung had conveyed to Cardinal Sin that in all his years of captivity he remained faithful to God, to his Church and to the Pope.

Shortly afterwards in 1988, his nephew won his release to seek medical attention in the United States, although the charge of counter-revolutionary was never lifted. The late Bishop Curtis of Bridgeport, Conneticut, invited Bishop Kung to live in Bridgeport when he arrived.

At the Consistory of 1991, Bishop Kung was finally given the Red Hat of Cardinal, and informed that he had been named in pecctore since 1979. He got up form his wheelchair, and walked up the steps to the Holy Father. Moved, Pope John Paul helped him up. Cardinal Kung walked back to his wheelchair, and received a seven minute ovation.

During his time in the United States, Cardinal Kung continued to give conferences and celebrate Masses around the country. He also continued to be an inspiration to all of the underground Chinese who remain loyal to the On Holy catholic, and Apostolic Church, and not the Patriotic Church created by the Communists. In March of 1998, the Chinese government stripped him of his passport, officially exiling the 97 year old.

Cardinal KUNG died at 3:05 AM on March 12th, 2000. He was 98 years old.

Here now comes his connection to the Bay Area.

Cardinal Kung laid in wake in Stamford, CT, and after two funeral Masses offered for him, his earthly remains were transported to the Bay Area.

After a Mass in San Francisco, there followed on Monday, March 20th, at 11 AM, a Solemn Requiem Mass pontificated by Paul Cardinal Shan Kou-hsi of Taipei, Taiwan at Five Wounds Catholic Church in San Jose. It had been the first Tridentine Mass in the Church since the 1960's.

Afterwards, the Cardinal's remains were taken to Mission Santa Clara Cemetery.

Here is the vault of Cardinal Kung.

He is just 30 feet away form the remains of Archbishop Tang, who is buried in the same chapel.

Why are their remains kept here?

Even though as a 97 year old he was exiled from China, and branded a counter-revolutionary, Cardinal Kung and Archbishop Tang dearly loved their country, and in essence did give their lives for China. Archbishop Tang died while visiting Cardinal Kung on the occasion of the Cardinal's 65th anniversary of his Priesthood. Their remains are here, not interred, kept above ground, in hopes that soon in future, conditions may allow the return of their remains to China, and buried in their respective Cathedrals. This same hope was expressed by Cardinal Mindszenty was interred above ground in Austria, and later was able to be buried in his homeland of Hungary.

To talk to us about Cardinal Kung, his times, and the present conditions in China, were two people. One was a Catechist who regularly travels to China to instruct the Faithful, those who are Catholic and pledge loyalty to the Holy Father. The other person is a Chinese Catholic Priest who was also imprisoned by the Communists for 27 years, and met Cardinal Kung in prison on several occasions.

Father spoke of his time in prison, and the conditions of his imprisonment. He was imprisoned by the Communists for the crime of counter-revolutionary-ism, and belief in God. He said that his most difficult time was not be able to obtain bread and wine for the celebration of Mass. Sometimes, guards, some of whom were hostile Communists, wold bring him bread and wine so that he could say Mass. Other difficult times were being held in binds and questioned for hours on end.

The catechist spoke of entering China, and instructing people in the Faith. One of the most difficult things to contend with is China's one child policy. Some families only have the one boy, and if that one boy expresses an interest in the priesthood, he is ostracized and not acknowledged by the family any more.

One of our community members has a great devotion to Our Lady of China. A copy of the icon he had commissioned of Our Lady of China was given to Father as a gift.

In his Mission magazine in 1957, Bishop Fulton Sheen wrote: "The West has its Mindszenty, but the East has its Kung. God is glorified in His saints."

You can do this!!

2011-06-06T07:50:00.000-07:00

Below is the video of an 84 year old man, who is able to chant the Alleluia for the Easter Vigil, and to do so a capella, in front of hundreds of people (or thousands on TV), and to do so each time at a higher pitch.

This is not American Idol! Your voice does not have to win any contests! You are doing this for the glory of God! Priests, this means you can sing the Mass! Members of the congregation, you can sing the responses and the Ordinary chanted parts! And join your local schola, wherever you are!!!!!

Benediction during the Pope's trip to Croatia

2011-06-06T07:39:00.000-07:00

On Benedict XVI's current trip to Croatia....

Needless to say, the "participatio actuosa" would have been greater if the actual text ("Tantum ergo") had been sung instead of the Serbo-Croatian version. Congratulations to them for having Eucharistic Adoration and singing Chant, in any event!!!

Holiness In The Bay Area Part 1: Fr. Magin Catala

2011-06-05T20:09:00.000-07:00

All too often, it seems like we have to go to far away places, even by plane, to visit as a pilgrim those places that can inspire one's faith. A pilgrimage can be undertaken with the object of venerating a particular place, such as Lourdes, in order to ask for supernatural aid, or to discharge a religious obligation.

Right in our own midst, we can see examples of Holiness in the Bay Area. Recently, a small tour was given in Santa Clara to inspire others to go on pilgrimage to these sights. Dates and some names will be omitted, and in the next posting this will become obvious as to why.

the first place visited on this pilgrimage was Mission Santa Clara, burial place of Fr. Magin Catala.

Fr. Catala was born at Montblanch, Catalonia, Spain, on the 29 or 30 January, 1761; died at Santa Clara, California, 22 Nov., 1830. He received the habit of St. Francis at Barcelona on 4 April, 1777, and was ordained priest probably in 1785. After obtaining permission to devote himself to the missions in America, he sailed from Cadiz in October, 1786, and joined the famous missionary college of San Fernando in the City of Mexico.

In 1793 he acted as chaplain on a Spanish ship which sailed between Mexico and Nootka Sound (home of present day Vancouver, Canada). In the following year he was sent to the Indian mission of Santa Clara, California, where in the company with Father José Viader he laboured most zealously until his death.

All through his missionary life Father Catalá suffered intensely from inflammatory rheumatism, so that in his last years he could neither walk nor stand unassisted. It should be noted that in order to go to the Missions, such as South America, Mexico, California, anywhere in the New World, one had to volunteer for a minimum of 10 years. He nevertheless visited the sick, and preached in Indian and Spanish while seated in a chair at the altar-rail. Twice Fr. Catala requested and obtained permission to return either to Mexico or to Spain. Despite his infirmities he observed the rule strictly, used the discipline and penitential girdle, tasted nothing till noon, and then and in the evening would eat only a gruel of corn and milk. He never used meat, fish, eggs, or vine. The venerable missionary was famed far and wide for his miracles and prophecies, as well as for his virtues.

In Santa Clara Mission, there is an Altar to the right that is dedicated to Fr. Catala. Above is a nearly life-sized Cross that Fr. Catala would process around with during Holy Week. He would also walk up and down The Alameda in present day San Jose and Santa Clara. the Native Americans wee receptive to the Catholic Faith, but many were still superstitious and held to pagan beliefs. Fr. Catala would precess with this cross, as a form of penance for the conversion of the pagan natives.
Father Catala is buried somewhere underneath this section of the floor in Mission Santa Clara. His cause is before the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, but it has been delayed for some time. If his cause were to proceed forward, then eventually a search begin for his remains, and most likely, a femur would be identified, removed to Rome. There it would be crushed, and Relics would be created from those femur fragments.

FAQ: What Is This Coming Sunday Called (the Sunday After The Ascension)?

2011-06-04T14:41:00.000-07:00

FAQ: What is the Sunday That is coming up?

Answer: Depending on the age of the Missal being used, or if you have multiple ones, you might notice there are different names for this coming Sunday, June 5th.

Some Missals may use the term, "6th Sunday After Easter." This is proper as it has been six Sunday since the glorious and great Feast of Easter.

Some Missals may call this Sunday, the "Sunday Before Pentecost." It will be one week before we have the Feast of Pentecost.

Still others will use "Sunday After The Ascension."

More commonly, your Missal may use for this Sunday, "Sunday Within The Octave of The Ascension." This term should not be confused with Ascension Thursday. Ascension Thursday has its own Propers, the Introit, Collect, Gradual, Epistle, Gospel, et cetera, that are reserved for that day only. They are not repeated on the following Sunday.

Although there are different names for this Sunday, it does begin with the following Introit, "Exaudi, Domine, vocem meam, qua clamavi ad te, alleluia."

The Gospel is John 15. 26-27; 16: 1-4

Commentary On The Sunday Within The Octave Of The Ascension By Fr. Goffine

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GOSPEL (John XV. 26-27., to XVI. 1-4.) At that time, Jesus said to his disciples: When the
Paraclete cometh, whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceedeth
from the Father, he shall give testimony of me: and you shall give testimony, because you are with me from the beginning. These things have I spoken to you, that you may not be scandalized. They put you out of the synagogues: yea, the hour cometh, that whomsoever killeth you will think that
he doth a service to God. And these things will they do to you, because they have not known the
Father, nor me. But these things I have told you, that, when the hour shall come, you may
remember that I told you.

Why is the Holy Ghost called the Paraclete?
Through the apostles and disciples whom He made so eloquent and so courageous that they
intrepidly professed and preached Christ to be the Son of God, and the true Messiah. This
doctrine He confirmed by astounding miracles, and sealed it by their blood which they shed in its
defence The Holy Ghost still gives testimony of Christ through the Church, that is, the clergy,
through whom He speaks, and who must, therefore, be listened to reverently. We must also give
testimony of Christ and profess by our lives, by patience in crosses and afflictions that He is our
Teacher, our Lord, and our God; for if we do not thus acknowledge' Him in this world He will
deny us before His Father in heaven. (Matt X. 33.)

What must every Christian know and believe in order to be saved?
That there is but one God, who has created and governs all things; that God is a just judge, who
rewards the good and punishes the wicked; that there are in the Deity three persons, the Father,
the Son, and the Holy Ghost; that the Son of God became man for love of us, taught us, and by
His death on the cross redeemed us; that the Holy Ghost sanctifies us by His grace, without
which we cannot become virtuous or be saved; that man's soul is immortal.

PETITION Send us, O Lord Jesus ! the Paraclete, that He may console and strengthen us in all
our afflictions. Enlighten us by Thy Holy Spirit that we may learn and live in accordance with the
truths of faith. Amen.

INSTRUCTION ON SCANDAL
These things have I spoken to you, that you may not be scandalized. (John XVI. 1.)

How is scandal given?
By speaking, doing or omittihg that which will be, to others an occasion, of sin: Scandal is given in different ways, for instance: if you dress improperly, speak improper words, or sing bad songs; by which you can see, that your neighbor will be tempted to think, desire or act wrongly; or what is worse, if you act sinfully, in the presence of, others, or bring bad books., books against good
morals, or against the holy faith, among people; if you incite others to anger, cursing, and
vengeance, or if you prevent them from attending church, the sermon, or catechetical instruction, etc. In all these things you become guilty of scandal, as well as of all the sins to which it gives rise.

If at the Last judgment we will be unable to, give an account of our own sins, how, then can we
answer for the innumerable sins caused by, he scandal we have given? Therefore Christ
pronounces a terrible, woe upon those who give scandal. Woe to that man, He says, by whom the
scandal cometh! It were better for him, that a millstone should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be drowned in the depth of the sea. (Matt. XVIII.)

How do parents give scandal?
By giving their children bad example; by excessive anger, cursing and swearing; by avarice,
injustice and cheating; by discord and quarrels; by gluttony in eating and drinking; by extravagance and vanity in dress; by sneering at religion, good morals, etc.; by not keeping their children from evil company, but sometimes even bringing them into it; by not punishing and endeavoring to eradicate their children's vices. How much parents sin, through such scandals, cannot be expressed; at the Day of judgment their children will be their accusers!

How do masters give scandal to their servants and those under their care?
In the same way as parents do to their children; by keeping them away from, or not urging them
by their own example or command to attend church on Sundays and holy-days; by giving them
meat on fast-days; by commanding them to do sinful things, such as stealing, injuring others, etc.
INSTRUCTION ON PREPARATION FOR PENTECOST
1). We should withdraw, after the example ef the Blessed Virgin and the apostles, to some solitary
place, or at least avoid, intercourse with others, as much as possible; speak but little, and apply
ourselves to earnest and persevering prayer; for in solitude God speaks to man.

2). We should purify our conscience by a contrite confession, become reconciled to our neighbor,
it we have lived in enmity; for the Holy Ghost, as a spirit of peace and purity, lives only in pure
and peaceful souls. (Ps. IXXV. 3.)

3). We should give alms according to our means, for it is said in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts X.)
of the Gentile centurion Cornelius, that by prayer and alms-deeds he made himself worthy of the
gifts of the Holy Ghost.

4). We should fervently desire to receive the Holy Ghost, and should give expression to this
longing by frequent aspirations to God, making use of the prayer: "Come, O Holy Ghost, etc."

On Ascension Thursday By Fr. Goffine

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GOSPEL (Mark. XVI. 14-20.) At that time, Jesus 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. (And he said to them: Go ye into the whole world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall be condemned: And these signs shall follow them that believe. In my name they shall cast out devils: they shall speak with new tongues; 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.) And the Lord Jesus after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God. But they going forth preached everywhere, the Lord working withal, and confirming the word with signs that followed.

Why did Christ say to His apostles: Go ye into the whale world and preach the gospel to all creatures?
To show that no one is to assume the office of preaching, but must look for his mission from the
lawful pastors of the Church. And when Christ sends His apostles into the whole worlds to all
nations without exception, He shows His willingness to save all men. If the designs of God are
not fulfilled, the blame is not to be attributed to God, but to man, who either does not accept the doctrine of the gospel, or accepting, does not live in accordance with it, or else renders himself by his obduracy in vice, unworthy of the gospel.

Is faith without good works sufficient for salvation?
No, faith that is not active in love, not fruitful in good works, and therefore not meritorious, (Gal. V. 6.) is not sufficient for salvation. "Such faith," says St. Anselm, "is not the faith of a Christian, but the faith of the devil." Only he who truly believes in Christ and His doctrine, and lives in accordance with it, will be saved.

Is ours then the true faith since all the faithful do not work miracles; as Christ has predicted?
St. Gregory very beautifully replies to this question: "Because the Redeemer said that true faith
would be accompanied by miracles, you must not think that you have not the faith, because these signs do not follow; these miracles had to be wrought in the beginning of the Church, because faith in her had to be increased by these visible signs of divine power." And even now when such signs are necessary for the propagation of the faith, and victory over unbelief, God gives His faithful power to work them.

Are miracles wrought now in the Catholic Church?
Yes, for there have been at all times saints in the Church, who, as seen from their lives, have
wrought miracles, on account of their faith, which even the heretics cannot deny; for instance St. Francis Xavier, who in the sight of the heathens, raised several dead persons to life. In a spiritual manner all pious Catholics still work such miracles; for, as St. Chrysostom says, "they expel devils when they banish sin, which is worse than the devil; they speak new tongues when they converse no longer on vain and sinful things, but on those which are spiritual and heavenly." "They take up serpents," says St. Gregory, "when by zealous exhortations they lift others from the shame of vice, without being themselves poisoned; they drink deadly things without being hurt by them, when they hear improper conversation without being corrupted or led to evil; they lay their hands upon the sick and heal them, when they teach the ignorant, strengthen by their good example those who are wavering in virtue, keep the sinner from evil, and similar things." Strive to do this upon all occasions, O Christian, for God willingly gives you His grace and you will thus be of more use to yourself and others, and honor God more than by working the greatest miracles.

Where and how did Christ ascend into heaven?
From Mount Olivet where His sufferings began, by which we learn, that where our crosses and
afflictions begin which we endure with patience and resignation, there begins our reward. Christ ascended into heaven by His own power, because He is God, and now in His glorified humanity
He sits at the right hand of His Father, as our continual Mediator.

In whose presence did Christ ascend into heaven?
In the presence of His apostles, and many of His disciples, whom He had previously blessed,
(Luke XXIV. 51.) and who, as St. Leo says, derived consoling joy from His ascension. Rejoice,
also, O Christian foul, for Christ has today opened heaven for you, and you may enter it, if you
believe in Christ, and live in accordance with that faith. St. Augustine says: "Let us ascend in spirit with Christ, that when His day comes, we may follow with our body. Yet you must know, beloved brethren, that not pride, nor avarice, nor impurity, nor any other vice ascends with Christ; for with the teacher of humility pride ascends not, nor with the author of goodness, malice, nor with the Son of the Virgin, impurity. Let us then ascend with Him by
trampling upon our vices and evil inclinations, thus building a ladder by which we can ascend; for we make a ladder of our sins to heaven when we tread them down in combating them:"

ASPIRATION O King of glory! O powerful Lord! who hast this day ascended victoriously, above all heaven, leave us not as poor orphans; but send us, from the Father, the Spirit of truth whom Thou hast promised. Alleluia.

Why is the paschal candle extinguished after the gospel on this day?
To signify that Christ, of whom the candle is a figure, has gone from His disciples.

INSTRUCTION ON MIRACLES
And these signs shall follow them that believe.(Mark XVI. 17.)
What is a miracle?
A miracle, as defined by St. Thomas of Aquin, is anything beyond the ordinary, fixed state of
things that is done through God. Thus when the sun stands still in his course, when thousands are fed with five loaves and two small fishes, when by a word or simple touch the dead are raised to life, the blind see, and the deaf hear, these are things contrary to nature, and are miracles which can only be performed by God or those persons to whom God has given the power.
That God can work miracles, cannot be denied. God has made the laws of nature, and at any time it pleases Him, He can suddenly suspend them, and that God has at times done so, we have more solid and undeniable proofs, than we have for the most renowned and best authenticated facts of history, far more witnesses testify to miracles, the whole world has believed them, and been converted by them.

Can men work miracles?
No; only God works miracles through man to whom He gives the power. The history of the
Christian Church in all ages bears testimony, that men have wrought miracles in the name of
Jesus, as, for example, the apostles and the saints.

Can miracles be worked by the relics of saints, pictures, &e.?
The Church, in the Council of Trent, solemnly declares, that we are never to believe that there is in any picture or relic any hidden power by which a miracle can, be worked, and that we are not to honor or ask any such thing of them. Therefore no miracle can ever be worked by them, but God can perform miracles through them, and He has done so, as the holy Scriptures and the history of the Church of Christ both prove. But when through certain pictures (usually called miraculous pictures) miracles do take place, that no deception may occur, the Church commands that such a picture shall not be exposed for the veneration of the faithful, until the truth of the miracles performed is by a rigorous examination established beyond doubt; she then causes such pictures to be respectfully preserved as monuments of the goodness and omnipotence of God.

Why are there not so many miracles in our times as there were in the first days of the Church?
Because the Church is no longer in need of such extraordinary testimony to the truth of her
teachings. Thus St. Augustine writes: "He who in the face of the conversion of the world to
Christianity demands miracles, and strives to doubt those which have been wrought in favor of
this most wonderful change, is himself an astonishing miracle of irrationality and stupidity;" and St. Chrysostom says: "The question is sometimes asked: How happens it there are not so many miracles now-a-days? The answer is, because the knowledge of Christ is propagated all over the earth, and the Church is like a tree which, having once taken deep root and grown to a certain height, no longer needs to be carefully watered and supported."

St. John Chrysostom On The Ascension: Mass Today For Ascension Thursday, 2011

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Holy Mass at Mission San Juan Bautista

Ascension Thursday

Today at 6 PM

June 2nd, 2011

"After that, because he had enjoined on them great things, to raise their courage, He reassures them that He will be with then always, "even to the end of the world." Now do you see the relation of His glory to His previous condescension? His own proper power is again restored. What He had said previously was spoken during the time of His humiliation. He promised to be not only with these disciples but also with all who would subsequently believe after them. Jesus speaks to all believers as if to one body. Do not speak to me, He says, of the difficulties you will face, for "I am with you," as the one who makes all things easy. Remember that this is also said repeatedly to the prophets in the Old Testament. Recall Jeremiah objecting that He is too young and Moses and Ezekiel shrinking from the prophet’s office. "I am with you" is spoken to all these people."

The Gospel of Matthew, Homily 90.2

Mass Tomorrow For The Ascension: St. Jeorme On The Ascension

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A reminder that we will have Holy Mass tomorrow at Mission San Juan Bautista for the Feast of the Ascension. Holy Mass will be at 6 PM, June 2nd, 2011.

"Jesus approached them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me.’" This authority was given to one who had just been crucified, buried in a tomb, laid dead, and afterwards had arisen. Authority was given to Him in both heaven and earth so that He who once reigned in heaven might also reign on earth through the faith of His believers. "Go therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.’" First they teach all nations; then they baptize those they have taught with water for the body is not able to receive the sacrament of baptism before the soul has received the truth of the faith. They were baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit so that the three who are one in divinity might also be one in giving themselves. The name of the Trinity is the name of the one God. "’Teach them to observe all that I have commanded you.’" What a marvelous sequence this is. He commanded the apostles first to teach all nations and then to baptize them in the sacrament of faith and then, after faith and baptism, to teach them to observe all that He had commanded. Lest we think these commandments of little consequence or few in number, he added, "all that I have commanded you," so that those who were to believe and be baptized in the Trinity would observe everything they had been taught.

St. Jerome
Commentary on Matthew 4.28.18-19

Traditional Catholic Family Devastated By Tornado

2011-05-31T10:58:00.000-07:00

Traditional Catholic Family Devastated By Tornado
26/05/11 09:47

What follows is an article from Dailymail about a family left devasted by a recent tornado that ripped through their home in Oklahoma. This morning search and rescue workers located their 3 year old son in a nearby lake--he is now in Heaven. They are a traditional Catholic Family who attend an FSSP parish. If you would like to send a kind note or a donation to the Hamil family here is their parish information:

The Hamil Family
C/O St. Damien of Molokai Catholic Church
Fr. Casavantes, FSSP
8455 NW 234th Street
Edmond, OK 73025
http://www.stdamiens.org/contactus.html

From Dailymail: "As the devastating storms ripped their way through the Midwest, an Oklahoma mother did what she thought was best to keep her family safe.

Catherine Hamil, who is four months pregnant, sought refuge in the bath tub with her three young children in their Piedmont home as they waited for the raging tornado.

But as the devastating twister hit their rural house on Tuesday, 30 miles northwest of Oklahoma City, it became clear that no place was safe to hide as the family was torn apart.

Three-year-old Ryan has not been seen since he was torn from his mother’s arms.

His 15-month-old brother was killed and his pregnant mother and five-year old sister are in a critical condition in hospital.

The children's father, Hank, who runs a crop harvesting business, was away when the tornado hit, but has returned to Oklahoma to help with the frantic search for his three-year-old son.

Catherine, 36, is reported to have several broken bones, bruises and cuts. But doctors said they can still feel the heartbeat of her baby, which is due in October.

Rescuers were desperately searching for the missing toddler on Wednesday evening.

UPDATE: Ryan was found deceased in a nearby lake. Please keep the family in your prayers.

Requiem æternam dona eis, Domine,

et lux perpetua luceat eis.

Te decet hymnus Deus, in Sion,

et tibi reddetur votum in Ierusalem.

Exaudi orationem meam;

ad te omnis caro veniet.

Requiem æternam dona eis, Domine,

et lux perpetua luceat eis.

Please send a kind note or donations if you are able to to the address above.

Mini-Pilgrimage Coming To Our Area

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A small group of Pilgrims from the parish of St. Stephen's in Sacramento will having a pilgrimage that will take them from Mission San Juan Bautista to Carmel this weekend.

They will walk the entire route starting this Friday with a Traditional Latin Mass at 8 AM at Mission San Juan Bautista. Please note this is the day after Ascension Thursday.

If you would like to participate in any way in this pilgrimage, either by assisting at Mass, or walking for a short while with these pilgrims, please give Daryl a call at 1-916-505-1953.

Here are some details on their pilgrimage.

1st Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Bethlehem in Carmel, CA June 3rd – 5th 2011

Schedule: The Pilgrimage begins on Friday with Mass at 8am at the Mission San Juan Bautista, we will start walking right after. On Sunday we will have Mass said at the Mission Carmel in the afternoon (time still to be announced).

Clothes: During the entirety of this pilgrimage please wear modest clothing that will please Our Lord at Holy Mass and Our Lady as we are walking to visit her. (No jeans, please.) Be prepared for cooler but hopefully sunny weather, hat, jacket, sun glasses, sun screen and good walking shoes!( Make sure to check the weather forecast for appropriate clothing).

Food: Simple and nourishing breakfasts (Saturday, Sunday ) and dinners(Friday, Saturday) will be prepared by volunteers from the group. Once we purchase the supplies next week we will let you know the expense per family, which should be very low. Snacks, lunch and water canteens need to be provided and carried in backpacks by each family for that day. Whoever drives the van will be bringing water for refill at lunch time.
Also, please, bring a reusable metal or plastic plate, cup, fork, knife and spoon for each person in your family, that way we avoid spending money on throw away dinette items, napkins will be provided.

Sleep: You need to bring mats, sleeping bags and tents for your family. The first night we will stay in a protestant church, the pastor there is letting us use 2 class rooms and 2 bathrooms for free. The second night we will be camping at the camping place in Marina, where you will need your tents. ($5 per person) If you need to, you can also stay in one of the two motels next to the camping place.

Transportation: This year we will all arrive in our own cars. The cars then will be transported always to the next site in the afternoon. Gear and ice chests will stay in your car. Since there are only 7 families participating this year (33 persons) it should be fairly easy. Next year when there are more participants, we hope to organize buses for the transport of pilgrims and luggage.
Banners: It would be beautiful if each family carried their own banner. If you don’t have one, it would be nice if you could make one. It can be as simple or complicated as you like it to be. The banner could be an image of Our Lady, Our Lord or a saint.

Preparation: Please, prepare for the pilgrimage by joining us in the novena to Our Lady of Bethlehem ( see below). The novena starts on Thursday, May 26th and ends on Friday June 2nd, the first day of the pilgrimage. Also don’t forget to prepare yourselves by walking a few miles every day.

Pope St .Leo The Great On The Ascension

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Dearly beloved, through all this time between the resurrection of the Lord and His ascension, the providence of God thought of this, taught this and penetrated their eyes and hearts. He wanted them to recognize the Lord Jesus Christ as truly risen, who was truly born, truly suffered and truly died. The manifest truth strengthened the blessed apostles and all the disciples who were frightened by His death on the Cross and were doubtful of His resurrection. The result was the were not only afflicted with sadness but also filled with "great joy" when the Lord went into the heights of heaven. It was certainly a great and indescribable source of joy when, in the sight of the heavenly multitudes, the nature of our human race ascended over the dignity of all heavenly creatures. It passed the angelic orders and was raised beyond the heights of archangels. In its ascension, our human race did not stop at any other height until this same nature was received at the seat of the eternal Father. Our human nature, united with the divinity of the Son, was on the throne of His glory. The ascension of Christ is not elevation. Hope for the body is also invited where the glory of the Head preceded us. Let us exalt, dearly beloved, with worthy joy and be glad with a holy thanksgiving. Today we not only are established as possessors of paradise, but we have even penetrated the heights of the heavens in Christ. The indescribable grace of Christ, which we lost through the ill will of the devil, prepared us more fully for that glory. Incorporated within Himself, the Son of God placed those whom the violent enemy threw down from the happiness of our first dwelling at the right hand of the Father. The Son of God lives and reigns with God the Father almighty and with the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

Sermon 73.3-4 on the Ascension

Ascension Thursday Mass on June 2nd, 2011

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On June 2nd, Ascension Thursday, there will be a Mass at Mission San Juan Bautista at 6 PM.

Ascension Thursday
June 2nd, 2011
Mission San Juan Bautista
6 PM: Holy Mass

A Real Mexican Holiday (Holy Day): May 21st, Feast Of The Mexican Martyrs: Una Fiesta Mexicana verdadera: Fiesta de los Martires Mexicanos

2011-05-21T01:25:00.000-07:00

A martyr is one who witnesses to the truth of our faith even to the point of death. It requires great courage and great faith for someone to become a martyr, but even more importantly, it requires tremendous love. It is for this very reason that Jesus said: “There is no greater love than to lay down your life for your friend.”

In the two decades following the Mexican Revolution of 1910-20, a rabidly anticlerical government waged an ongoing war against Catholicism, confiscating church property, expelling missionaries and closing Catholic schools and seminaries. The Church hierarchy opposed the Mexican Revolution and bishops suspended services in the country to protest the increasing restrictions that Mexico’s new national government placed on the Church. They placed the entire country under interdict.

Catholic priests, laymen and Knights of Columbus joined a rebellion movement, the Cristeros ("Christers"), in response to the Mexican government’s actions. Dedicated to “Cristo Rey” (Christ the King), scores of those involved in with the Cristeros were killed defending their faith. The number of Priests in each state were also limited. In the state of Tabasco, only one Priest was allowed for the entire state. Priests and Nuns wee forced to marry. Bombs wwere set off in the Cathedrals of Guadalajara and Morelia. Priests and laypersons alike were ordered to publicly denounce their faith; those who refused were tortured and executed. By the time it was over, upwards of 50,000 Catholics were dead.

Here ever so briefly, is the list of the 25 Mexican Martyrs Canonized by Pope John Paul II on the 21st of May 2000 in the Jubilee year. They collectively have the Feast Day of the 25th of May after the Primary Saints' Birthday in Heaven, their dies natalis.

St. Cristobal Magallanes Jara (parish priest, started secret seminaries, shot to death alongside St. Agustin Caloca in Colotitlan, Jalisco, Mexico on 25 May 1927)

St. Julio Alvarez Mendoza (priest, shot to death in San Julian, Jalisco on March 30,1927)

St. Agustin Caloca (priest, seminary prefect, shot to death along with St. Cristobal Magallanes Jara in Colotitlán, Jalisco on 25, Mayo 1927)

St. Atilano Cruz Alvarado (parish priest, shot to death in Teocaltiche, Jalisco on 1, July 1928)

St. David Galvan Bermudez (priest, seminary instructor, shot by firing squad in Guadalajara, Jalisco on 30, January 1915)

St. David Roldan Lara (layman, officer of "Catholic Action" and a religious liberty league, shot to death at age 21 in Suchil, Durango on 15, August 1926 along with St. Salvador Lara Puente)

St. David Uribe Velasco (parish priest, shot to death in San José Vistahermosa, Morelia on 12, April 1927)

St. Jenaro Sanchez Delgadillo (parish priest, hanged from a tree in Tecolotlán, Jalisco on 17, October 1927)

St. Jesus Mendez Montoya (parish priest, shot to death in Valtierrilla, Guanajuato on 5, February 1928)

St. Jose Isabel Flores Varela (parish priest, tortured, throat cut, in Zapotlanejo, Jalisco on 21, June 1927)

St. Jose Maria Robles Hurtado (parish priest, founded women's Congregation of Victims of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, hanged in the hills of Quila, Jalisco on 26, June 1927)

St. Justino Orona Madrigal (parish priest, founded Poor Clare Sisters of the Sacred Heart, shot to death in Cuquío, Jalisco on 1, July 1928)

St. Luis Batiz Sainz (parish priest, seminary's spiritual director, shot by firing squad in San Miguel del Mezquital, Zacatecas on 15, August 1926)

St. Manuel Morales (layman, father of three, officer of "Catholic Action" and a religious liberty league, shot to death in Sombrerete, Zacatecas on 15, August 1926)

St. Margarito Flores Garcia (parish priest, shot to death in Atenango del Río, Guerrero,on 12, November 1927)

St. Mateo Correa Magallanes (parish priest, gave First Communion to Bl. Miguel Pro, shot to death in Durango, Durango on 6, February 1927)

St. Miguel de la Mora de la Mora (priest, shot by firing squad in Colima, Colima on 7, August 1927)

St. Pedro Esqueda Ramirez (parish priest, catechist of children, shot to death in Teocaltitlán, Jalisco on 22, November 1927)

St. Pedro de Jesus Maldonado Lucero (parish priest, promoter of nocturnal adoration, blinded and beaten to death in Santa Isabel, Chihuahua on 11, February 1937)

St. Rodrigo Aguilar Aleman (parish priest, poet, hanged in Ejutla, Jalisco on 28, October 1927)

St. Roman Adame Rosales (parish priest, founded Daughters of Mary of Nocturnal Adoration, shot to death in Nochistlan, Zacatecas on 21, April 1927)

St. Sabás Reyes Salazar (Parish priest, tortured and shot to death in Tototlán, Jalisco on Holy Wednesday, 13, April 1927)

St. Salvador Lara Puente (layman, officer of "Catholic Action" and a religious liberty league, shot to death at age 21 in Suchil, Durango on 15, August 1926 along with St. David Roldan Lara)

St. Toribio Romo Gonzalez (parish priest, shot to death at age 27 in Tequila, Jalisco on 25, February 1928)

St. Tranquilino Ubiarco (parish priest, hanged at age 28 in Tepatitlán, Jalisco on 5, October 1928)

There were many more Priests and laypeople who were martyred. This first group was canonized in 2000. In 2005, another group of Martyrs specifically from the Archdiocese of Guadalajara was beatified. Collectively they do not have a Feast Day yet, although it could be anticipated to be the 1st of April. A list of them follows;

Bl. Anacleto Gonzalez Flores, and seven companions (Anacleto was a laymen, married, member of Catholic Association of Young Mexicans (ACJM), would give up information where Bishop Orozco y Jimenez was in hiding, tortured and feet slashed, shot in Tepatitlán, Jalisco on 1, April 1927 with José Dionisio Luis Padilla Gómez and Vargas González brothers below)

Bl. José Dionisio Luis Padilla Gómez (Layman, promoter of Eucharistic Adoration, member of Catholic Association of Young Mexicans (ACJM), shot in Tepatitlán, Jalisco on 1, April 1927 with Anacleto Gonzalez Flores and Vargas González brothers)

Bl. Jorge and Bl. Ramón Vargas González (Laymen, gave refuge to Priests, members of Catholic Association of Young Mexicans (ACJM), tortured and shot in Tepatitlán, Jalisco on 1, April 1927 with Anacleto Gonzalez Flores and José Dionisio Luis Padilla Gómez)

Bl. José Luciano Ezequiel Huerta Gutiérrez (Laymen, Father of 10, tortured and shot in Tepatitlán, Jalisco on 3, April 1927 with his brother Salvador Huerta Gutiérrez)

Bl. Salvador Huerta Gutiérrez (Layman, Father of 12, tortured and shot in Tepatitlán, Jalisco on 3, April 1927 with his brother José Luciano Ezequiel Huerta Gutiérrez)

Bl. Miguel Gómez Loza (Layman, Lawyer and defender of Catholic rights, shot near Atotonilco, Jalisco on 21, March 1928)

Bl. Luis Magaña Servín (Layman, shot in Arandas, Jalisco on 9 February 1928. He took the place of his brother who was going to be shot.)

Along with this group of Companions are the following;

Bl. Jose Trinidad Rangel Montaño (Priest, tortured and shot in Rancho de San Joaquín, Guanajuato 25 April 1927 along with Bl. Andres Sola Molist and Bl. Leonardo Perez Larios)

Bl. Andres Sola y Molist (Priest, tortured and shot in Rancho de San Joaquín, Guanajuato 25 April 1927 along with Bl. Jose Trinidad Rangel Montaño and Bl. Leonardo Perez Larios)

Bl. Leonardo Perez Larios (Layman, arrested for assisting at Mass of Fr. Sola, tortured and shot in Rancho de San Joaquín, Guanajuato 25 April 1927 along with Bl. Jose Trinidad Rangel Montaño and Bl. Andres Sola Molist)

Bl. Dario Acosta Zurita (Priest, shot in Veracruz, Veracruz on 25 July 1931 exactly three months after his ordination as a Priest)

and fourteen-year-old, Bl. Jose Sanchez del Río (Youth, followed his older brothers into battle to defend the Faith. Captured and tortured in a church Sacristy. Forced to watch an execution. Had feet slashed and forced to walk on salt to cemetery in Sahuayo, Michoacán on 10, February 1928)

There are many more people who were martyred for the Faith in Mexico who are honoured for the ultimate sacrifice that they gave during this time. One of them is Blessed Father Miguel Pro Juarez, SJ. It is important to note that he was not a Cristero but was in fact a pacifist, who was an underground Priest who baptized and secretly celebrated the Sacraments for the Faithful in and around Mexico City. He even studied briefly at the Jesuit novitiate that was once in the hills of Los Gatos near San Jose, CA. His is a famous story, but here is how his life ended. He was falsely accused of an assasination attempt on former President Obregon of Mexico, and arrested along with his two brothers. Without trial they were sentenced to execution. President Calles ignored a court order delaying the execution, and on the morning of November 23, 1927 Father Pro along with one of his brothers was shot while holding his arms in the form of a Cross, and saying, "Viva Cristo Rey! (Long Live Christ the King!)" It is believed to be the only martyrdom captured on film although the film is still hidden in Mexican government archives, and was photographed as well.

President Calles wanted plenty of photographs of this execution so as to discourage the Catholic population.
Not content with having fired a volley of bullets into Father Pro, another soldier went up to the body, and fired another shot into his head. The next day, over thirty thousand people were in the streets of Mexico City for the funeral.

There are yet other martyrs in Mexico of whom we know died heroically and as martyrs, but for various reasons, their cause for Sainthood to be recognized on Earth has not been advanced, even though they may surely be Saints in Heaven. Of some, there does not exist enough information. The photograph at the top of this post is of Father Francisco Vera, Parish Priest of parish of Sangre y Cuerpo de Cristo (Parish of the Blood and Body of Christ, or Corpus Christi) in the city of Jalostotitlan, Jalisco. While secretly saying Mass, Father Vera was discovered. Allowing his flock to escape, Father Vera was sentenced to death for the crime of being a Priest.

He was not allowed to take off his vestments. The photograph exists solely because the captain of the squad wanted to prove how zealous he was in the persecution of Catholics, so he had this photograph taken of Father Vera taken right before the volley of bullets struck him, and sent to President Calles. The best that this incident can be dated is to around early April of 1927. The faithful of the parish several years afterwards report that Septuagesima had begun, but that Father Vera was dead before Easter of that year. His body was dumped in a refuse pile outside of down and further desecrated.

Father Vera and others like him who were martyred do not have a case open for them for Sainthood, because there were no witnesses to his martyrdom other than those who executed him. In the case of martyrdom, the Church accepts the testimony of those who out of hatred, martyred someone for the Faith. Alessandro Serenelli, the murderer of St. Maria Goretti, was present at her Canonization, and had given testimony in her cause. In the case of Father Vera, there were no witnesses to his martyrdom, only a haunting picture of a 70 year old Priest, holding his hands in prayer, his back to the Church wall. He is still vested for Mass, the vestments indicating he is a Priest. You can clearly see his Maniple, the symbol of Christ's chains that bound him on that last day. This picture, that was taken to discourage Catholics, should instead give us joy. Tertullian said that the Blood of Christians is seed (Semen est sanguis Christianorum, Apolegeticum, 50, 13). We shall conquer in dying. Father Vera may not ever be raised to the Altars of the Church as St. Cristobal Magallanes, but we can be cetain that he died as a Priest, as an Alter Christus.

Someday, we will be able to paste into our Missals the Masses for new Saints that are on our Altars, such as St. Maximillan Kolbe. For these Mexican Martyrs, because of the date of, it will more than likely be a Third Class Feast along with St. Gregory that same day. The Mass will either be "Intret" if outside of Eastertide, or "Sancti Tui" if within. Do however, think of these and the other martyrs who have been the seed for our Faith. Know that this is a real Mexican holiday, unlike Cinco de Mayo. Cinco de Mayo commemorates a temporary victory over an occupying army that eventually beat Mexico anyway, and amounted for nothing. The Martyrs of Mexico (and all martyrs) are the eternal triumph of Jesus Christ the King over Satan. We shall conquer in dying. That counts for everything.

All information is taken from the Vatican website, and from various books, among them;

La Cristiada by Jean Meyer, 3 Vol.

El Clamor de la Sangre by Joaquin Blanco Gil

Los Martires Mexicanos by Fr. Joaquin Cardoso, SJ

Happy Feast Day of the Mexican Martyrs!

Commentary On The 3rd Sunday After Easter, By Fr. Gofffine

2011-05-15T03:28:00.000-07:00

GOSPEL (John XVI. 16-22.) At that time, Jesus said to his disciples: A little while, and now you shall not see me: and again a little while, and you shall see me: because I go to the Father. Then some of his disciples said one to another: What is this that he saith to us: A little while, and you shall not see me: and again a little while, and you shall see me, and, because I go to the Father? They said therefore: What is this that he saith, A little while? We know not what he speaketh. And Jesus knew that they had a mind to ask him, and he said to them: Of this do you inquire among yourselves, because I said: A little while, and you shall not see me: and again a little while and you shall see me. Amen, amen I say to you, that you shall lament and weep, but the world shall rejoice: and you shall be made sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. A woman, when she is in labor, hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but when she hath brought forth the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. So also you now indeed have sorrow, but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice: and your joy no man shall take from you.

What is the meaning of Christ's words: A little while and you shall not see me; and again a little while and you shall see me?
St. Chrysostom applies these words, which Christ spoke to His apostles a few hours before His passion, to the time between the death of Jesus and His Resurrection; but St. Augustine, to the time between the Resurrection and the Ascension, and then to the Last judgment at the end of the world, and he adds: "This little while seems long to us living, but ended, we feel how short it is." In affliction we should console ourselves by reflecting, how soon it will terminate, and that it cannot be compared with the future glory, that is awaiting eternally in heaven him who patiently endures.

Why did our Saviour tell His disciples of their future joys and sufferings?
That they might the more easily bear the sufferings that were to come, because we can be prepared for sufferings which we know are pending; because He knew that their sufferings would be only slight and momentary in comparison with the everlasting joy which awaited them, like the pains of a woman in giving birth to a child which are great indeed, but short, and soon forgotten by the mother in joy at the birth of the child. "Tell me" says St. Chysostom, "if you were elected king but were obliged to spend the night preceding your entrance into your
capital city where you were to be crowned, if you were compelled to pass that night in much discomfort in a stable, would you not joyfully endure it in the expectation of your kingdom? And why should not we, in this valley of tears, willingly live through adversities, in expectation of one day obtaining the kingdom of heaven?"

PETITION Enlighten me, O Holy Spirit! that I may realize that this present life and all its hardships are but slight and momentary, and strengthen me that I may endure patiently the adversities of life in the hope of future heavenly joys.

CONSOLATION IN TRIALS AND ADVERSITIES
You shall lament and weep. (John XVI. 20.)
That Christian is, most foolish who fancies that the happiness of this world consists in honors, wealth, and pleasures, while Christ, the eternal Truth, teaches the contrary, promising eternal happiness to the poor and oppressed, and announcing eternal affliction and lamentation to those rich ones who have their comfort in this world. How much, then, are those to be pitied who as Christians believe, and yet live as if these truths were not for them, and who think only how they can spend their days in luxury, hoping at the same time to go to heaven where all the saints, even Christ the Son of God Himself, has entered only by crosses and sufferings.

PRAYER IN TRIBULATION O good Jesus! who hast revealed, that we can enter heaven only by many tribulations, (Acts XIV. 21 .) hast called them blessed who in this world are sad, oppressed, and persecuted, but patiently suffer, and who hast also taught us, that without the will of Thy Heavenly Father, not one hair of our head can perish: (Luke XXI. 18.) I therefore submit entirely to Thy divine will, and beg Thy grace to endure all adversities for Thy sake, that after this life of misery I may enjoy eternal happiness with Thee in heaven.

3rd Sunday after Easter - Introit

2011-05-14T05:31:00.000-07:00

Introit (Ps. 65: 1,2)

1. Iubilate Deo, omnis terra, alleluia;
2. Psalmum dicite nomini eius, alleluia;
3. Date gloriam laudi eius, alleluia;
4. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Ps. Dicite Deo, quam terribilia sunt opera tua, Domine!
in multitudine virtutis tuae mentientur tibi inimici tui.

1. Rejoice in God, all the earth, alleluia;
2. Sing a psalm to His name, alleluia;
3. Give glory to His praise, alleluia;
4. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Ps. Say to God, how terrible are Your works, O Lord!
in the multitude of Your strength Your enemies will lie to You.

Dom Johner says, concerning this Introit:

Although the melody has a rather limited range (the first part confines itself to a fifth), still there is something impressive about it. With its numerous fourths it endeavors to work itself into the hearts of the people and to propel them into that atmosphere of joy with which it is itself filled. How vigorously omnis terra is stressed! All countries are to join in this jubilation. That should, at any rate, be the effect on ourselves as a result of meditating on the wonderful works of God, on the realization of His plan of salvation, the redemption through Christ's death upon the cross, our predestination to eternal glory. The very thought is enough to make the entire earth prostrate itself in humble obeisance before God's face with its heart filled with joy. This will one day come to pass; at the great final resurrection all the earth will pay reverence to its King, its Lord, its God. Then those, too, who now boastfully pose as enemies of Christ and His kingdom, will of sheer necessity throw themselves on their knees in adoration, and the entire celestial host will sing to Him its eternal Alleluia.

Text Of The Instruction, "Universae Ecclesiae" By The Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei

2011-05-13T10:20:00.000-07:00

PONTIFICAL COMMISSION ECCLESIA DEI

INSTRUCTION

on the application of the Apostolic Letter Summorum Pontificum of
HIS HOLINESS POPE BENEDICT XVI given Motu Proprio

I.

Introduction

1. The Apostolic Letter Summorum Pontificum of the Sovereign Pontiff Benedict XVI given Motu Proprio on 7 July 2007, which came into effect on 14 September 2007, has made the richness of the Roman Liturgy more accessible to the Universal Church.

2. With this Motu Proprio, the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI promulgated a universal law for the Church, intended to establish new regulations for the use of the Roman Liturgy in effect in 1962.

3. The Holy Father, having recalled the concern of the Sovereign Pontiffs in caring for the Sacred Liturgy and in their recognition of liturgical books, reaffirms the traditional principle, recognised from time immemorial and necessary to be maintained into the future, that “each particular Church must be in accord with the universal Church not only regarding the doctrine of the faith and sacramental signs, but also as to the usages universally handed down by apostolic and unbroken tradition. These are to be maintained not only so that errors may be avoided, but also so that the faith may be passed on in its integrity, since the Church's rule of prayer (lex orandi) corresponds to her rule of belief (lex credendi).”

4. The Holy Father recalls also those Roman Pontiffs who, in a particular way, were notable in this task, specifically Saint Gregory the Great and Saint Pius V. The Holy Father stresses moreover that, among the sacred liturgical books, the Missale Romanum has enjoyed a particular prominence in history, and was kept up to date throughout the centuries until the time of Blessed Pope John XXIII. Subsequently in 1970, following the liturgical reform after the Second Vatican Council, Pope Paul VI approved for the Church of the Latin rite a new Missal, which was then translated into various languages. In the year 2000, Pope John Paul II promulgated the third edition of this Missal.

5. Many of the faithful, formed in the spirit of the liturgical forms prior to the Second Vatican Council, expressed a lively desire to maintain the ancient tradition. For this reason, Pope John Paul II with a special Indult Quattuor abhinc annos issued in 1984 by the Congregation for Divine Worship, granted the faculty under certain conditions to restore the use of the Missal promulgated by Blessed Pope John XXIII. Subsequently, Pope John Paul II, with the Motu Proprio Ecclesia Dei of 1988, exhorted the Bishops to be generous in granting such a faculty for all the faithful who requested it. Pope Benedict continues this policy with the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum regarding certain essential criteria for the Usus Antiquior of the Roman Rite, which are recalled here.

6. The Roman Missal promulgated by Pope Paul VI and the last edition prepared under Pope John XXIII, are two forms of the Roman Liturgy, defined respectively as ordinaria and extraordinaria: they are two usages of the one Roman Rite, one alongside the other. Both are the expression of the same lex orandi of the Church. On account of its venerable and ancient use, the forma extraordinaria is to be maintained with appropriate honor.

7. The Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum was accompanied by a letter from the Holy Father to Bishops, with the same date as the Motu Proprio (7 July 2007). This letter gave further explanations regarding the appropriateness and the need for the Motu Proprio; it was a matter of overcoming a lacuna by providing new norms for the use of the Roman Liturgy of 1962. Such norms were needed particularly on account of the fact that, when the new Missal had been introduced under Pope Paul VI, it had not seemed necessary to issue guidelines regulating the use of the 1962 Liturgy. By reason of the increase in the number of those asking to be able to use the forma extraordinaria, it has become necessary to provide certain norms in this area.

Among the statements of the Holy Father was the following: “There is no contradiction between the two editions of the Roman Missal. In the history of the Liturgy growth and progress are found, but not a rupture. What was sacred for prior generations, remains sacred and great for us as well, and cannot be suddenly prohibited altogether or even judged harmful.”

8. The Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum constitutes an important expression of the Magisterium of the Roman Pontiff and of his munus of regulating and ordering the Church’s Sacred Liturgy. The Motu Proprio manifests his solicitude as Vicar of Christ and Supreme Pastor of the Universal Church, and has the aim of:
a. offering to all the faithful the Roman Liturgy in the Usus Antiquior, considered as a precious treasure to be preserved;
b. effectively guaranteeing and ensuring the use of the forma extraordinaria for all who ask for it, given that the use of the 1962 Roman Liturgy is a faculty generously granted for the good of the faithful and therefore is to be interpreted in a sense favourable to the faithful who are its principal addressees;
c. promoting reconciliation at the heart of the Church.

II.
The Responsibilities
of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei

9. The Sovereign Pontiff has conferred upon the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei ordinary vicarious power for the matters within its competence, in a particular way for monitoring the observance and application of the provisions of the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum (cf. art. 12).

10. § 1. The Pontifical Commission exercises this power, beyond the faculties previously granted by Pope John Paul II and confirmed by Pope Benedict XVI (cf. Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum, artt. 11-12), also by means of the power to decide upon recourses legitimately sent to it, as hierarchical Superior, against any possible singular administrative provision of an Ordinary which appears to be contrary to the Motu Proprio.

§ 2. The decrees by which the Pontifical Commission decides recourses may be challenged ad normam iuris before the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura.

11. After having received the approval from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei will have the task of looking after future editions of liturgical texts pertaining to the forma extraordinaria of the Roman Rite.

III.
Specific Norms

12. Following upon the inquiry made among the Bishops of the world, and with the desire to guarantee the proper interpretation and the correct application of the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum, this Pontifical Commission, by virtue of the authority granted to it and the faculties which it enjoys, issues this Instruction according to can. 34 of the Code of Canon Law.

The Competence of Diocesan Bishops

13. Diocesan Bishops, according to Canon Law, are to monitor liturgical matters in order to guarantee the common good and to ensure that everything is proceeding in peace and serenity in their Dioceses , always in agreement with the mens of the Holy Father clearly expressed by the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum. In cases of controversy or well-founded doubt about the celebration in the forma extraordinaria, the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei will adjudicate.

14. It is the task of the Diocesan Bishop to undertake all necessary measures to ensure respect for the forma extraordinaria of the Roman Rite, according to the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum.

The coetus fidelium (cf. Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum, art. 5 § 1)

15. A coetus fidelium (“group of the faithful”) can be said to be stabiliter existens (“existing in a stable manner”), according to the sense of art. 5 § 1 of the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum, when it is constituted by some people of an individual parish who, even after the publication of the Motu Proprio, come together by reason of their veneration for the Liturgy in the Usus Antiquior, and who ask that it might be celebrated in the parish church or in an oratory or chapel; such a coetus (“group”) can also be composed of persons coming from different parishes or dioceses, who gather together in a specific parish church or in an oratory or chapel for this purpose.

16. In the case of a priest who presents himself occasionally in a parish church or an oratory with some faithful, and wishes to celebrate in the forma extraordinaria, as foreseen by articles 2 and 4 of the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum, the pastor or rector of the church, or the priest responsible, is to permit such a celebration, while respecting the schedule of liturgical celebrations in that same church.

17. § 1. In deciding individual cases, the pastor or the rector, or the priest responsible for a church, is to be guided by his own prudence, motivated by pastoral zeal and a spirit of generous welcome.
§ 2. In cases of groups which are quite small, they may approach the Ordinary of the place to identify a church in which these faithful may be able to come together for such celebrations, in order to ensure easier participation and a more worthy celebration of the Holy Mass.

18. Even in sanctuaries and places of pilgrimage the possibility to celebrate in the forma extraordinaria is to be offered to groups of pilgrims who request it (cf. Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum, art. 5 § 3), if there is a qualified priest.

19. The faithful who ask for the celebration of the forma extraordinaria must not in any way support or belong to groups which show themselves to be against the validity or legitimacy of the Holy Mass or the Sacraments celebrated in the forma ordinaria or against the Roman Pontiff as Supreme Pastor of the Universal Church.

Sacerdos idoneus (“Qualified Priest”) (cf. Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum, art 5 § 4)

20. With respect to the question of the necessary requirements for a priest to be held idoneus (“qualified”) to celebrate in the forma extraordinaria, the following is hereby stated:
a. Every Catholic priest who is not impeded by Canon Law is to be considered idoneus (“qualified”) for the celebration of the Holy Mass in the forma extraordinaria.
b. Regarding the use of the Latin language, a basic knowledge is necessary, allowing the priest to pronounce the words correctly and understand their meaning.
c. Regarding knowledge of the execution of the Rite, priests are presumed to be qualified who present themselves spontaneously to celebrate the forma extraordinaria, and have celebrated it previously.

21. Ordinaries are asked to offer their clergy the possibility of acquiring adequate preparation for celebrations in the forma extraordinaria. This applies also to Seminaries, where future priests should be given proper formation, including study of Latin and, where pastoral needs suggest it, the opportunity to learn the forma extraordinaria of the Roman Rite.

22. In Dioceses without qualified priests, Diocesan Bishops can request assistance from priests of the Institutes erected by the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, either to the celebrate the forma extraordinaria or to teach others how to celebrate it.

23. The faculty to celebrate sine populo (or with the participation of only one minister) in the forma extraordinaria of the Roman Rite is given by the Motu Proprio to all priests, whether secular or religious (cf. Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum, art. 2). For such celebrations therefore, priests, by provision of the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum, do not require any special permission from their Ordinaries or superiors.

Liturgical and Ecclesiastical Discipline

24. The liturgical books of the forma extraordinaria are to be used as they are. All those who wish to celebrate according to the forma extraordinaria of the Roman Rite must know the pertinent rubrics and are obliged to follow them correctly.

25. New saints and certain of the new prefaces can and ought to be inserted into the 1962 Missal , according to provisions which will be indicated subsequently.

26. As foreseen by article 6 of the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum, the readings of the Holy Mass of the Missal of 1962 can be proclaimed either solely in the Latin language, or in Latin followed by the vernacular or, in Low Masses, solely in the vernacular.

27. With regard to the disciplinary norms connected to celebration, the ecclesiastical discipline contained in the Code of Canon Law of 1983 applies.

28. Furthermore, by virtue of its character of special law, within its own area, the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum derogates from those provisions of law, connected with the sacred Rites, promulgated from 1962 onwards and incompatible with the rubrics of the liturgical books in effect in 1962.

Confirmation and Holy Orders

29. Permission to use the older formula for the rite of Confirmation was confirmed by the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum (cf. art. 9 § 2). Therefore, in the forma extraordinaria, it is not necessary to use the newer formula of Pope Paul VI as found in the Ordo Confirmationis.

30. As regards tonsure, minor orders and the subdiaconate, the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum does not introduce any change in the discipline of the Code of Canon Law of 1983; consequently, in Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life which are under the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, one who has made solemn profession or who has been definitively incorporated into a clerical institute of apostolic life, becomes incardinated as a cleric in the institute or society upon ordination to the diaconate, in accordance with canon 266 § 2 of the Code of Canon Law.

31. Only in Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life which are under the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, and in those which use the liturgical books of the forma extraordinaria, is the use of the Pontificale Romanum of 1962 for the conferral of minor and major orders permitted.

Breviarium Romanum

32. Art. 9 § 3 of the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum gives clerics the faculty to use the Breviarium Romanum in effect in 1962, which is to be prayed entirely and in the Latin language.

The Sacred Triduum

33. If there is a qualified priest, a coetus fidelium (“group of faithful”), which follows the older liturgical tradition, can also celebrate the Sacred Triduum in the forma extraordinaria. When there is no church or oratory designated exclusively for such celebrations, the parish priest or Ordinary, in agreement with the qualified priest, should find some arrangement favourable to the good of souls, not excluding the possibility of a repetition of the celebration of the Sacred Triduum in the same church.

The Rites of Religious Orders

34. The use of the liturgical books proper to the Religious Orders which were in effect in 1962 is permitted.

Pontificale Romanum and the Rituale Romanum

35. The use of the Pontificale Romanum, the Rituale Romanum, as well as the Caeremoniale Episcoporum in effect in 1962, is permitted, in keeping with n. 28 of this Instruction, and always respecting n. 31 of the same Instruction.

The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI, in an audience granted to the undersigned Cardinal President of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei on 8 April 2011, approved this present Instruction and ordered its publication.

Given at Rome, at the Offices of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, 30 April, 2011, on the memorial of Pope Saint Pius V.

William Cardinal LEVADA
President

Mons. Guido Pozzo
Secretary

Instruction On Summorum Pontificum Coming This Weekend

2011-05-11T14:01:00.000-07:00

On the 7th of July, 2007, Pope Benedict issued a document called Summorum Pontificum, under the form of a Motu Proprio. A Motu Proprio is a document or instrument that is of his own initiative and personally signed by the Holy Father. Upon taking effect, a Motu Proprio has the force of Canon Law behind it, and Summorum Pontificum (SP) took effect on the Feast of the Holy Cross, September 14th, 2007.

What does SP do?

SP granted every Catholic Priest the right o say Mass in both its Forms, specifically, it allowed a greater freedom to Priests to use the 1962 Missal privately, and also provided that Pastors should willingly accept requests from people who are attached to the older Form of the Mass.

During these past four years, there have been many questions about certain situations and conditions regarding the older Form of the Mass. Many have written the Vatican with concerns, which the Holy Father.

Now on Friday, an Instruction, called Universae Ecclesiae, will be released, May 13th.

Father Z. already seems to like it, as he has the embargoed document.

Looking forward to Friday!

A Commentary On the Gospel For The Second Sunday After Easter

2011-05-08T12:05:00.000-07:00

By Father Leonard Goffine, from The Liturgical Year

GOSPEL (John X. 11-16.) At that time, Jesus said to the Pharisees: I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd giveth his life for his sheep. But the hireling, and he that is not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and flieth; and the wolf catcheth and scattereth the sheep: and the hireling flieth, because he is a hireling, and he bath no care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know mine, and mine know me. As the Father knoweth me, and I know the Father, and I lay down my life for my sheep. And other sheep I have, that are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice, and there shall be one fold and one shepherd.

How has Christ proved Himself a good Shepherd?

By sacrificing His life even for His enemies, for those who did not yet love Him, (I John IV. 10; Rom. V. 8.) and could not reward Him. He has besides given Himself to us for our food.

How are we to know if we are among the sheep of Christ, that is, His chosen ones?

If we listen willingly to the voice of the Shepherd in sermons and instructions, in spiritual books and conversations; are obedient to it, and especially give ear and follow the rules of the Church through which the Good Shepherd speaks to us, (Luke X. 16.) "for he," says St. Augustine, “who has not the Church for his mother, will not have God for his father;" if we gladly receive the food of the Good Shepherd, that is, His sacred Body and Blood in holy Communion; if we are patient and meek as a lamb, freely forgiving our enemies; if we love all men from our heart, do good to them, and seek to bring them to Jesus.

Who are the other sheep of Christ?

The Gentiles who were not of the fold of Israel, whom Christ sought to bring by His disciples, and now by their successors; into His fold. To these sheep we also belonged by our ancestors. O how grateful we should be to God, that He has brought us into the fold of His Church, and how diligently should we conduct ourselves as good sheep!

When will there be but one fold and one shepherd?

When, by the prayers of the Church and by her missionaries, all nations shall be converted to the only saving Church, constituting then one Church under one head. Let us pray that this may soon come to pass.

PRAYER O Lord Jesus! Thou Good Shepherd who on the cross didst give Thy life for Thy sheep, grant us, we beseech Thee, by Thy death, the grace to be faithful to Thy voice and teachings like obedient lambs that we may one day be numbered among Thy chosen ones in heaven.

Feast Of Pope St. Pius V, 2011

2011-05-05T03:19:00.000-07:00

May 5th: feast of Pope St. Pius V

Sancte Pii, Ora pro nobis!

Update On Parish Member Serving In Navy

2011-05-03T21:33:00.000-07:00

We had the blessing to speak with Lt. Ulysses Zamora a few days ago. Ulysses is a member of our community who is serving onboard the USS Tortuga in Japan.

When the Earthquake and the Tsunami hit Japan on the 11th of March, the US Navy immediately went to the affected areas. They worked for 30 straight days, carried Japanese Maritime Self Defense Forces vehicles, and asisted in quite a few aspects of the operations. Official photos from the US Navy can be found on their Flikr page:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/usnavy/5534609594/in/photostream/

Let us keep Lt. Zamora, and the people of Japan in our prayers. Please also pray for the soul of Fr. Andre Lachapelle, a priest who died in the Tsunami in the area around Sendai. He was originally from Quebec City, Canada, and a kind and holy Priest.

Requiem æternam dona eis, Domine,

et lux perpetua luceat eis.

Potluck This Sunday, May 1st

2011-04-27T18:09:00.000-07:00

We will be having our potluck this coming sunday on the 1st of May.

What we usually do is bring a dish to share, and utensils and drinks if you can manage it as well.

Since the weather is nice right about now, perhaps we could have it outdoors?

Have a blessed weekend, and we shall see you on Sunday.

Happy And Blessed Birthday, Bishop Garcia!

2011-04-24T01:48:00.000-07:00

On this day in San Francisco in 1947, our Bishop, Richard Garcia was born. Let us pray for our Bishop, and for the strength to continue to be a true Shepherd to us. Today of all days, please pray the prayer in the sidebar to the right or right below for our Bishop.

Ad multos annos, Antistite!

DEUS, omnium fidelium pastor et rector, famulum tuum Richardum, quem pastorem ecclesiae Montereyensis praesse volusti, propitius respice: da ei, quaesumus, verbo et exemplo, quibus praeest, proficere: ut ad vitam, una cum grege sibi credito, perveniat sempiternam. Per Dominum nostrum Iesum Christum Filium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnam in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

O God, the Shepherd and Ruler of all the faithful, graciously look upon Thy servant Richard whom Thou hast been pleased to appoint pastor over the Church of Monterey: grant, we beseech Thee, that by both word and example he may edify those over whom he is set, and together with the flock committed to his care, may attain to eternal life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.

From the Commemoration for the Bishop of the Diocese

Paschal Sermon Of St. John Chrysostom

2011-04-24T00:05:00.000-07:00

Is there anyone who is a devout lover of God?
Let them enjoy this beautiful bright festival!
Is there anyone who is a grateful servant?
Let them rejoice and enter into the joy of their Lord!

Are there any weary with fasting?
Let them now receive their wages!
If any have toiled from the first hour,
let them receive their due reward;
If any have come after the third hour,
let him with gratitude join in the Feast!
And he that arrived after the sixth hour,
let him not doubt; for he too shall sustain no loss.
And if any delayed until the ninth hour,
let him not hesitate; but let him come too.
And he who arrived only at the eleventh hour,
let him not be afraid by reason of his delay.

For the Lord is gracious and receives the last even as the first.
He gives rest to him that comes at the eleventh hour,
as well as to him that toiled from the first.
To this one He gives, and upon another He bestows.
He accepts the works as He greets the endeavor.
The deed He honors and the intention He commends.

Let us all enter into the joy of the Lord!
First and last alike receive your reward;
rich and poor, rejoice together!
Sober and slothful, celebrate the day!

You that have kept the fast, and you that have not,
rejoice today for the Table is richly laden!
Feast royally on it, the calf is a fatted one.
Let no one go away hungry. Partake, all, of the cup of faith.
Enjoy all the riches of His goodness!

Let no one grieve at his poverty,
for the universal kingdom has been revealed.
Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again;
for forgiveness has risen from the grave.
Let no one fear death, for the Death of our Savior has set us free.
He has destroyed it by enduring it.

He destroyed Hades when He descended into it.
He put it into an uproar even as it tasted of His flesh.
Isaiah foretold this when he said,
"You, O Hell, have been troubled by encountering Him below."

Hell was in an uproar because it was done away with.
It was in an uproar because it is mocked.
It was in an uproar, for it is destroyed.
It is in an uproar, for it is annihilated.
It is in an uproar, for it is now made captive.
Hell took a body, and discovered God.
It took earth, and encountered Heaven.
It took what it saw, and was overcome by what it did not see.
O death, where is thy sting?
O Hades, where is thy victory?

Christ is Risen, and you, o death, are annihilated!
Christ is Risen, and the evil ones are cast down!
Christ is Risen, and the angels rejoice!
Christ is Risen, and life is liberated!
Christ is Risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead;
for Christ having risen from the dead,
is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

To Him be Glory and Power forever and ever. Amen!

St. John Chrysostom,
Archbishop of Constantinople
Paschal Sermon, 400 AD

Easter Vigil - Triple Alelluia

2011-04-23T09:44:00.000-07:00

The Alleluia has been absent from the liturgy for two months. It returns in spectacular fashion at the Easter Vigil, just before the reading of the Gospel. This is the only time in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite that "Alleluia" is sung three times in a row, each time at a higher pitch, and it is followed by a verse from Psalm 117:1.

1. Confitemini Domino, quoniam bonus
2. quoniam in saecula misericordia eius.

1. Praise the Lord, for He is good
2. For His mercy is forever.

Good Friday - the Reproaches

2011-04-22T01:45:00.000-07:00

The Reproaches are also known by their Latin name, the Improperia, and are sung during the Adoration of the Cross on Good Friday. In addition to quotations from Scripture, the refrain of the Trisagion is used: "Holy is God! Holy, Strong! Holy Immortal One have mercy on us!" The Trisagion ('thrice holy' in Greek) is one of only three times in the Roman Rite that Greek is used.

"My people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me." (Micah 6:3)

1.) "For I led you out of the land of Egypt," (Micah 6:4) but you have prepared a cross for your Savior.

Agios o Theos!
Sanctus Deus.
Agios Ischyros!
Sanctus Fortis.
Agios Athanatos, eleison imas.
Sanctus Immortalis, miserere nobis.

2.) For I led you through the wilderness forty years,
And fed you with manna, and brought you into a land exceeding good; (cf. Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 7)
But you have prepared a cross for your Savior.

Agios o Theos...

3.) "What more ought I have done for" you that I have not done? (Isaiah 5:4)
Indeed I planted you, my most beautiful vineyard,
and you have become exceeding bitter to me;
"In my thirst you gave me vinegar to drink," (Psalm 69:22)
And with a lance you have pierced the side of your Savior.

Agios o Theos...

Holy Thursday Gradual - Christus Factus est

2011-04-22T01:32:00.000-07:00

Considered by many to be one of the most beautiful chants in the Graduale Romanum, this is sung as the Gradual Proper for Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday. Based on the 2nd Letter to the Philippians.

Christus factus est pro nobis oboediens
usque ad mortem, mortem autem crucis.
Proper quod et Deus exaltavit illum
et dedit illi nomen quod est super omne nomen.

Christ became obedient for us unto death, even death on the cross.
Because of this, God exalted Him, and gave Him a name which is above every name.

Palm Sunday Hymn

2011-04-21T09:58:00.000-07:00

The Roman Rite only very rarely includes a hymn, and Palm Sunday is one of the instances when it does: Gloria, Laus, et Honor (Glory, Praise, and Honor), written by Theodulph, Bishop of Orleans, who lived from about 750-821 and was a major figure in the Carolingian Renaissance.

Palm Sunday Procession

2011-04-20T22:39:00.000-07:00

They use all the verses in Pueri Hebraeorum here...

Easter Egg Hunt After Easter Sunday Mass

2011-04-20T21:40:00.000-07:00

We will have an Easter Egg Hunt for the kids after Mass at Mission San Juan Bautista Mission on Easter Sunday. We will have it in the Mission Gardens.

If you have any eggs you would like to share, bring them to the area in front of the Sacristy before Mass, or right afterwards. We will take a few minutes to hide them, and then have the kids hunt for them.

A Reflection On Laetare Sunday By Father Goffine

2011-04-03T09:46:00.000-07:00

Taken from the book, The Liturgical Year.

Why did Christ try St. Philip?

To test his faith and confidence; to instruct us that before seeking supernatural means, we should first look for natural ways of providing; that the miracle of the multiplying of the loaves should be more marvellous to the people from having seen there was no provision; and that we may learn to trust in God, who is a helper in due time in tribulation. (Ps. IX. 10.)

What signs did Christ make use of in this miracle, and why?

According to St. Matthew (XIV. 19.) He lifted up His eyes to heaven, by which He showed that all good gifts come from above; He gave thanks, thus teaching us to give thanks to God for all His blessings. "The table," says St. Chrysostom, "that is approached and is left with prayer will never know want, but the more richly yield its gifts." He blessed the bread showing us that the divine blessing increases all things.

Why did Christ require them to gather up the fragments that were left?

That they should not be wasted or destroyed; that the greatness of the miracle should be made evident by the quantity of the fragments; and that we might learn to honor the gifts of God, even the most insignificant, and if we do not ourselves need them, give them to the poor.

Why did Christ, after this miracle, flee from the people?

Because after this miracle the people recognized in him the Messiah, and would have made Him king. He wished to teach us to flee from praise and honor, and in all our actions seek not our own, but God's glory.

Prayer Intentions Of Pope Benedict For April, 2011

2011-04-01T22:50:00.000-07:00

Pope Benedict’s general prayer intention for April is: “That through its compelling preaching of the Gospel, the Church may give young people new reasons for life and hope”.

His mission intention is “That by proclamation of the Gospel and the witness of their lives, missionaries may bring Christ to those who do not yet know Him.”

Laetare Sunday, Communion

2011-03-30T17:37:00.000-07:00

(Ps. 121:3,4)
1. Jerusalem quae aedificatur ut civitas, cujus participatio ejus in idipsum:
2. illuc ascenderunt tribus, tribus Domini, ad confitendum nomini tuo, Domine.

1. Jerusalem, which is built as a city, which is bound firmly together:
2. there ascended the tribes, the tribes of the Lord, to praise thy name, O Lord.

Lent - Fourth Sunday: Communio from Corpus Christi Watershed on Vimeo.

In his book "Chants of the Vatican Gradual", Dom Dominic Johner comments on this communion antiphon: In the Epistle of this Sunday, Saint Paul speaks about the heavenly Jerusalem. Thither, to our true home, we all direct our pilgrimage. There we shall find brothers and sisters who know themselves intimately united with us. And all of us have communion with them....the Bread of Life is our viaticum. Therefor bravely on to the eternal Easter, to never-ending joy, to the never-ceasing praise of God.

Laetare Sunday, Introit

2011-03-28T13:48:00.000-07:00

This Sunday is named Laetare Sunday, from the first word of the Introit. Dom Johner says about this day: "Even more than on the second Sunday of Advent, the station "at the church of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem", in which the solemn services were conducted at Rome, has determined the selection of the liturgical texts for today's Mass. All the chants contain allusions to Sion or Jerusalem."

Isaiah 66:(10,11)
1. Laetare, Jerusalem: et conventum facite omnes qui diligitis eam:
2. gaudete in laetitia, qui in tristitia fuistis;
3. ut exultetis, et satiemini ab uberibus consolationis vestrae.
Ps. Laetatus sum in his quae dicta sunt mihi:
* in domum Domini ibimus.

1. Rejoice, O Jerusalem, and come together all you that love her:
2. rejoice with gladness, you that have been in sorrow;
3. that you may exult, and be filled from the breasts of your consolation.
Ps. I rejoiced in the things which were said to me:
* we will go into the house of the Lord.

Concerning this Introit, Dom Johner points out that this Sunday is "the anticipation of Easter Joy. The same melodies which close the ardently longed-for Alleluia on Holy Saturday (g c a b a a g), today, like true overtures, begin the Mass (f Bb g a g f).... Is it as if the Lenten season and penitential sorrow had already disappeared; as if the unrest brought about by doubts concerning the faith, and disquietude (tristitia), as also the sorrows occasioned by the necessities of this present life, had long been overcome.."

Upcoming Mass Schedule At Mission San Juan Bautista

2011-03-25T23:10:00.000-07:00

Here is the schedule for Holy Mass for the next few Sundays.

March 27th: 3:30 PM

We will then return to the regular time of 2 PM for the following three Sundays

April 3rd: 2 PM

April 10th: 2 PM

April 17th: 2 PM

The Feast Of The Annunciation, 2011

2011-03-25T00:14:00.000-07:00

In the Tour de Force work of J.R.R. Tolkien, the Lord of the Rings, there is but one date given in the entire Trilogy. That date is March 25th, the Feast of the Annunciation. The Ring of Power is destroyed on the FEAST of the ANNUNCIATION. The Ring of Power, or death, is destroyed on the same day that God was Made incarnate, and took human flesh in the womb of Mary. Although the Trilogy describes a mythology that is pre-Christian, it nevertheless is to evoke and be a foreshadow of our Salvation. The Ring of Power is destroyed on March 25th.

This is the day that begins our salvation.

Yesterday we had the Feast of the Archangel Gabriel, who announced the Message that the one who will bring Salvation was to be born.

Here is an excerpt from the Liturgical Year, by Dom Prosper Geuranger:

"This is a great day, not only to Man, but even to God himself, for it is the anniversary of the most solemn event that time has ever witnessed. ON this day, the divine Word, by whom the Father created the world, was made flesh in the womb of a Virgin, and dwelt among us."

"Let us assist at the holy Interview between the Archangel and the Virgin, and let us look a the other Interview that took place between the Serpent and Eve. See how an angel of Light addressed the Virgin; "Hail, full of Grace! The Lord is with thee! Blessed art thou amongst women!" Such language is evident of Heaven, and only an angel could speak thus to Mary. Contrast that with the way the spirit of darkness addresses Eve, and how she answers the Tempter's words. She enters into conversation with the one who dares to question the justice of God's commands. She has no mistrust in the serpent, which leads her to mistrust her Creator."

"The great St. Irenaeus remarked that the obediance of the second Eve repaired the disobediance of the first. Never was there a more entire or humiliating defeat than that which this day befell Satan. The frail creature, over whom he had so easily triumphed, now rises and crushes his proud head. God would not use man for his instrument of vengeance. The humiliation of Satan would not have been great enough if he had used a man."

"Therefore, the one who was the first prey of hell, the first victim of the tempter, is selected give battle to the enemy. The result of so glorious a triumph is that Mary is to be superior not only to the angels in rebellion, but to the whole human race, and even to all the angels in Heaven. Seated on her exalted throne, she, the Mother of God, is to be the Queen of all Creation. Satan, in the depths of the abyss, will eventually bewail his having dared to direct his first attack against the woman, for God has now so gloriously avenged her; and in Heaven, the very Churubim and Seraphim reverently look up to Mary, and deem themselves honoured when she smiles upon them, or employs them in the execution of any of her wishes, for she is the Mother of their God.

Dom Prsoper Gueranger, The Liturgical Year

Mass A t San Juan Bautista on March 27th: 3:30 PM

2011-03-23T08:21:00.000-07:00

Holy Mass this coming Sunday, March 27th, will be at 3:30 PM.

Our Priest this Sunday will be coming from San Luis Obispo, so if anybody can contribute a little gas money for Father, it would be greatly appreciated.

Because this is a private donation, funds for this must be given outside in the courtyard, away from the Sacristy and away from within the interior of the Mission. This is the same as was done with Frs. Morgan and McNeely.

Happy Feast Of St. Joseph!

2011-03-19T01:12:00.000-07:00

"The Son of God, when about to descend upon this earth to assume our human nature, would have a Mother; this Mother could not be other than the Purest of Virgins, and her divine maternity was not to impair her incomparable virginity. Until such time as the Son of Mary were recognized as the Son of God, His Mother's honor had need of a protector; Some man, therefore, was to be called to the high dignity of being Mary's spouse. This privileged mortal wa Joseph, the most chaste of men.

As Joseph lay on his bed of death, there was watching by his side He that is the master of life, and that had often called this Humble creature, father. His last breath was received by the Virgin-Mother, whom he had, by a just right, called his bride. It was thus with Jesus and Mary by his side, caring for and caressing him, that Joseph sweetly slept in peace. The spouse of Mary, the foster-father of Jesus, now reigns in Heaven with a glory which, though inferior to that of Mary, is marked with certain prerogatives which no other inhabitant of Heaven can have"

The Liturgical Year, Vol. 5, Lent, by Dom Prosper Gueranger.

A blessed Feast day to everyone named Joseph, has him as aPatron, or has a special devotion to him.

Happy St. Patrick's Day 2011

2011-03-17T05:42:00.000-07:00

A blessed Feast Day to everyone out there who has St. Patrick as a Patron, as a namesake, or has their birthday on this day.

Laetus dies sancti Patricii!
La Fheile Padraig Sona Duit!
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Feliz Dia de San Patricio!

Sancti Patricii, ora pro nobis.

"The ambassadors or Misionaries of Christ are of two classes. There are some who have been entrusted witha small tract of the Gentile world. They have to sow the divine seed there, and it yielded friut more or less according to the disposition of the people that received it. There are others who mission is like a rapid conquest that subdues a whole nation, and brings it to the Gospel. St. Patrick belongs to this second class, and in him we recognize one of the most successful instruments of God's Mercy to Mankind.

When is it that Ireland received the Faith? When Britain was almost wholly buried in Paganism, when the race of the Franks had not yet heard the name of the True God, when Germany had not heard of Christ's coming to Earth, when Northern Europe was deeply slumbered in infidelity; before these nations had awakened to the Gospel, Ireland had converted. The Faith, brought to the Isle by her glorious Apostle, took deep root and flourished. Her Saints are scarcely to be numbered, and went about doing good in almost every country of Europe. Her children gave, and are still giving to other countries.

Let us honour the admirable Apostle, chosen by God to sow the seed of His word in this privileged land."

The Liturgical Year, March 17th, by Dom Prosper Gueranger

Prayer Request

2011-03-16T18:44:00.000-07:00

Dear Faithful:

One of the families at Mission San Juan Bautista is asking for you to pray for a younger sibling. This sibling will be undergoing cardiac surgery to cure Atrial Fibrillation, an especially severe version. It is very serious surgery. They are praying for the cure that can be had through this surgery which will take place next week.

They are asking for your prayers, starting on March 22nd, upon admission at the Hospital, the day of the actual surgery, March 23rd, and then the day after as well, March 24th.

Praying before the Blessed Sacrament, recitation of the Holy Rosary, and every prayer offering is being requested.

Thank you all for your time and charity during this Lenten season.