Devotional : † Dominica in Palmis ~ Passiontide : Palm Sunday †

Robert Drobot | Anno Dómini 17 April 2011 | Most Holy Trinity

[Robert Drobot]

† Traditional Sunday Propers † † Dominica in Palmis ~ Palm Sunday † † Statio ad S. Joannem in Laterano ~ Station at Saint John Lateran † Anno Dómini 17 April 2011 Dómine, ne longe fácias auxílium tuum a me: ad defensiónem meam áspice: líbera me de ore leónis.... ~ ~ Lord, do not stand at a distance, if Thou wouldst aid me; look to my defense: rescue me from the very mouth of the lion.... "....Hosanna filio David: benedictus, qui venit in nomine Domini ~ ~ Hosanna to the Son of David; Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord...." ".... be filled with the knowledge of the will of God...." Reflections for Palm Sunday and Holy Week: The Apogee of Lent By Abbe Dom Prosper Gueranger We have reached the "apogee" - the very vertex of the penitential season of Lent when the humanity of Jesus Christ takes its toll, coming to the surface in sustaining the most brutal beating one could encounter; thus proving His unyielding, everlasting Love for us by His undertaking for us the burden of our sins and, only through His merits, making it possible that we might someday be in Paradise with Him. It begins on Palm Sunday in the streets of Jerusalem in celebratory anticipation and will climax on those very same streets less than a week later when their "Hero" is no longer fanned with palmfrons and hosannas, but spat upon and held in contempt for He failed to provide the instant gratification the people sought for they saw not with the light of faith, but of futility and fascination in someone they thought could make their lives easier, rid the Romans and call off the letter-of-the-law Sanhedrin. How many that day had regrets, saying: "if only we had known..."? We cannot make such excuses or regrets, for truly we know He was [is] the Son of God ! Palm Sunday "Dómine, ne longe fácias auxílium Tuum a me" Early in the morning of this Day, Jesus sets out for Jerusalem, leaving Mary His Mother, and the two sisters Martha and [Blessed Apostle Saint] Mary Magdalene, and Lazarus at Bethania. The Mother of sorrows trembles at seeing her Son thus expose Himself to danger, for His enemies are bent upon His destruction; but it is not death, it is triumph, that Jesus is to receive today in Jerusalem. The Messias, before being nailed to the cross, is to be proclaimed King by the people of the great city; the little children are to make her streets echo with their Hosannas to the Son of David; and this in presence of the soldiers of Rome's emperor, and of the high priests and pharisees: the first standing under the banner of their eagles; the second, dumb with rage. The prophet Zachary had foretold this triumph which the Son of Man was to receive a few days before His Passion, and which had been prepared for Him from all eternity. 'Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Sion! Shout for joy, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold thy King will come to thee; the Just and the Savior. He is poor and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt, the foal of an ass. ( Zachary 9:9 ) Jesus, knowing that the hour has come for the fulfillment of this prophecy, singles out two from the rest of His disciples, and bids them lead to Him as ass and her colt, which they would find not far off. He has reached Bethphage, on Mount Olivet. The two disciples lose no time in executing the order given them by their divine Master; and the ass and the colt are soon brought to the place where He stands. The holy fathers have explained to us the mystery of these two animals. The ass represents the Jewish people, which had been long under the yoke of the Law; the colt, upon which, as the evangelist says, no man yet hath sat, ( [Blessed Apostle Saint] Mark. 11:2 ) is a figure of the Gentile world, which no one had ever yet brought into subjection. The future of these two peoples is to be decided a FEW DAYS hence the Jews will be rejected for having refused to acknowledge Jesus as the Messias; the Gentiles will take their place, to be adopted as God's people, and become docile and faithful. The disciples spread their garments upon the colt; and our Savior, that the prophetic figure might be fulfilled, sits upon him, [Blessed Apostle Saint] Luke 19:35 ) and advances towards Jerusalem. As soon as it is known that Jesus is near the city, the holy Spirit works in the hearts of those Jews, who have come from all parts to celebrate the feast of the Passover. They go out to meet our Lord, holding palm branches in their hands, and loudly proclaiming Him to be King. ( [Blessed Apostle Saint] Luke 19:38 ) They that have accompanied Jesus from Bethania, join the enthusiastic crowd. Whilst some spread their garments on the way, others cut down boughs from the palm trees, and strew them along the road. Hosanna is the triumphant cry, proclaiming to the whole city that Jesus, the Son of David, has made His entrance as her King. Thus did God, in His power over men's hearts, procure a triumph for His Son, and in the very city which, a few days later, was to clamor for His Blood This day was one of glory to our Jesus, and the holy Church would have us renew, each year, the memory of this triumph of the Man-God. Shortly after the birth of our Emmanuel, we saw the Magi coming from the extreme east, and looking in Jerusalem for the King of the Jews, to whom they intended offering their gifts and their adorations; but it is Jerusalem herself that now goes forth to meet this King. Each of these events is an acknowledgment of the kingship of Jesus; the first, from the Gentiles; the second homage, before He suffered His Passion. The inscription to be put upon the cross, by Pilate's order, will express the kingly character of the Crucified Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews. Pilate, the Roman governor, the pagan, the base coward, has been unwittingly the fulfiller of a prophecy; and when the enemies of Jesus insist on the inscription being altered, Pilate will not deign to give them any answer but this: 'What I have written, I have written.' Today, it is the Jews themselves that proclaim Jesus to be their King; they will soon be dispersed, in punishment for their revolt against the Son of David; but Jesus is King, and will be so for ever. Thus were literally verified the words spoken by the Archangel to Mary, when he announced to her the glories of the Child that was to be born of her. 'The Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of David, His father; and He shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever.' ( [Blessed Apostle Saint] Luke 1:32 ) Jesus begins His reign upon the earth this very day; and though the first Israel is soon to disclaim His rule, a new Israel, formed from the faithful few of the old, shall rise up in every nation of the earth, and become the kingdom of Christ, a kingdom such as no mere earthly monarch ever coveted in his wildest fancies of ambition. This is the glorious mystery which ushers in the great week, the week of Dolours. Holy Church would have us give this momentary consolation to our heart, and hail our Jesus as our King. She has so arranged the service of today, that it should express both joy and sorrow; joy, by uniting herself with the loyal hosannas of the city of David; and sorrow, by compassionating the Passion of her divine Spouse... ...Let us lovingly go forth to meet this our King, our Savior, who comes to visit the daughter of Sion, as the prophet has just told us. He is in our midst; it is to Him that we pay honor with our palms: let us give Him our hearts too. He comes that He may be our King; let us welcome Him as such, and fervently cry out to Him: 'Hosanna to the Son of David!' The Station at Rome is in the basilica of Saint John Lateran, the mother and mistress of all Churches. The papal function, however, now takes place at [Blessed Apostle Saint] Peter's; but the usual indulgences are still granted to those who visit the archbasilica. [Comments on the Palm Sunday's Epistle] In obedience to the wishes of the Church, we have knelt down at those words of the apostle, where he says that every knee should bow at the holy name of Jesus. If there be one time of the year rather than another, when the Son of God has a right to our fervent adorations, it is this week, when we see Him insulted in His Passion. Not only should His sufferings excite us to tender compassion; we should also keenly resent the insults that are heaped upon our Jesus, the God of infinite majesty. Let us strive, by our humble homage, to make Him amends for the indignities He suffered in atonement for our pride. Let us united with the holy angels, who, witnessing what He has gone through for the love of man, prostrate themselves, in profoundest adoration, at the sight of His humiliations. [Final Comments for Palm Sunday following Solemn Vespers] Let us now go over in our minds the other events which happened to our divine Lord on this day of His solemn entry into Jerusalem. [Blessed Apostle Saint] Luke tells us that it was on His approach to the city, that Jesus wept over it, and spoke these touching words: "If thou also hadst known, and that in this thy day, the things that are to thy peace! But now they are hidden from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, and thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and straiten thee on every side, and beat thee flat to the ground, and thy children who are in thee; and they shall not leave in thee a stone upon a stone; because thou hast not known the time of thy visitation."( [Blessed Apostle Saint] Luke 19:42-44 ) A few days ago, we were reading in the holy Gospel how Jesus wept over the tomb of Lazarus; today He shed tears over Jerusalem. At Bethania His weeping was caused by the sight of bodily death, the consequence and punishment of sin; but this death is not irremediable: Jesus is the resurrection and the life, and he that believieth in Him shall life. ( [Blessed Apostle Saint] John 11:25 ) Whereas, the state of the unfaithful Jerusalem is a figure of the death of the soul, and from this there is no resurrection, unless the soul, while time is given to her, return to the Author of life. Hence it is, that the tears shed by Jesus over Jerusalem are so bitter. Amidst the acclamations which greet His entry into the city of David, His heart is sad; for He sees that many of her inhabitants will not profit of the time of her visitation. Let us console the Heart of our Jesus, and be to Him a faithful Jerusalem. The sacred historians tells us that Jesus, immediately upon His entrance into the city, went to the temple, and cast out all them that sold and bought there ([Blessed Apostle Saint] Matthew 21:12 ). This was the second time that He had shown His authority in His Father's house and no one had dared to resist Him. The chief priests and pharisees found fault with Him, and accused Him to His face of causing confusion by His entry into the city; but our Lord confounded them by the reply He made. It is thus that in after ages, when it has pleased God to glorify His Son and the Church of His Son, the enemies of both have given vent to their rage; they protested against the triumph, but they could not stop it. But when God, in the unsearchable ways of His wisdom, allowed persecution and trial to follow these periods of triumph, then did these bitter enemies redouble their efforts to induce the very people that had cried Hosanna to the Son of David, to clamor for His being delivered up and crucified. They succeeded in fomenting persecution, but not in destroying the kingdom of Christ and His Church. The kingdom seemed, at times, to be interrupted in its progress; but the time for another triumph came. Thus will it be to the end; and then, after all these changes from glory to humiliation, and from humiliation to glory, the kingdom of Jesus and of His bride will gain the last and eternal triumph over this world, which would not know the time of its visitation. We learn from [Blessed Apostle Saint] Matthew 21:17 that our Savior spent the remainder of this day at Bethania. His blessed Mother and the house of Lazarus were comforted by His return. There was not a single offer of hospitality made to Him in Jerusalem, at least there is mention in the Gospel of any such offer. We cannot help making the reflection, as we meditate upon this event of our Lord's life:--an enthusiastic reception is given to Him in the morning, He is proclaimed by the people as their King; but when the evening of that day comes on, there is not one of all those thousands to offer Him food or lodging. In the Carmelite monasteries of [Blessed Saint] Teresa's reform, there is a custom, which has been suggested by this thought, and is intended as a reparation for this ingratitude shown to our Redeemer. A table is placed in the middle of the refectory; and after the community have finished their dinner, the food which was placed upon that table is distributed among the poor, and Jesus is honored in them.(pages 238-240) Monday in Holy Week Missa "Judica, Dómine This morning, also, Jesus goes with His disciples to Jerusalem. He is fasting, for the Gospel, tells us that He was hungry. [Blessed Apostle Saint] Matthew 21:18 ) He approaches a fig-tree, which is by the way-side; but finds nothing on it, save leaves only. Jesus, wishing to give us an instruction, curses the fig-tree, which immediately withers away. He would hereby teach us what they are to expect, who have nothing but good desires, and never produce in themselves the fruit of a real conversion. Nor is the allusion to Jerusalem less evident. This city is zealous for the exterior of divine worship; but her heart is hard and obstinate, and she is plotting, at this very hour, the death of the Son of God. The greater portion of the day is spent in the temple, where Jesus holds long conversations with the chief priests and ancients of the people. His language to them is stronger than ever, and triumphs over all their captious questions. It is principally in the Gospel of [Blessed Apostle Saint] Matthew 21:18 that we shall find these answers of our Redeemer, which so energetically accuse the Jews of their sin of rejecting the Messias, and so plainly foretell the punishment their sin is to bring after it. At length Jesus leaves the temple and takes the road that leads to Bethania. Having come as far as Mount Olivet, which commands a view of Jerusalem, He sits down and rests awhile. The disciples take this opportunity of asking Him how soon the chastisements He has been speaking of in the temple will come upon the city. His answer comprises two events: the destruction of Jerusalem, and the final destruction of the world. He thus teaches them that the first is the figure of the second. The time when each is to happen, is to be when the measure of iniquity is filled up. But, with regard to the chastisement that is to befall Jerusalem, He gives this more definite answer: "Amen I say to you: this generation shall not pass till all these things be done." ( [Blessed Apostle Saint] Matthew 24:34 ). He leaves Mount Olive, returns to Bethania, and consoles the anxious heart of His most holy Mother...(pages 243-244) [Comments on the Epistle] ...The holy angels look on with amazement at the treatment shown by the Jews to Jesus, and falling down, they adore the holy Face, which they see thus bruised and defiled: let us, also, prostrate and ask pardon, for our sins have outraged that same Face. But let us hearken to the last words of our Epistle: He that hath walked in darkness, and hath no light, let him hope in the name of the Lord and lean upon his God. Who is this but the Gentile, abandoned to sin and idolatry? He knows not what is happening at this very hour in Jerusalem; he knows not that the earth possesses its Savior, and that this Savior is being trampled beneath the feet of His own chosen people; but, in a very short time, the light of the Gospel will shine upon this poor Gentile; he will believe; he will obey; he will love his Redeemer, even to laying down his life for Him. Then will be fulfilled the prophecy of the unworthy pontiff, who prophesied against his will that the death of Jesus would bring salvation to the Gentiles, by gathering into one family the children of God, that hitherto had been dispersed. ( [Blessed Apostle Saint] John 11:52 ). ...Judas Iscariot, dares to protest against this waste (of the perfume [Blessed Apostle Saint] Magdalene anoints Jesus with), as he calls it. His base avarice deprives him of feeling and respect for his divine Master. His opinion is shared in by several of the other disciples, for they are still carnal-minded. For several reasons Jesus permits [Blessed Apostle Saint] Magdalene's generosity to thus blamed. And firstly, He wishes to announce His approaching death, which is mystically expressed by the pouring of this ointment upon His body. Then, too, He would glorify Magdalene; and He therefore tells those who are present, that her tender and ardent love shall be rewarded, and that her name shall be celebrated in every country, wheresoever the Gospel shall be preached. ( [Blessed Apostle Saint] Matthew 26:13 ). And lastly, He would console those whose generous love prompts them to be liberal in their gifts to His altars; for what He here says of [Blessed Apostle Saint] Magdalene is, in reality, a defense for them, when they are accused of spending too much over the beauty of God's house. Let us prize each of these divine teachings. Let us love to honor Jesus, both in His own person, and in His poor. Let us honor Magdalene, and imitate her devotion to the Passion and death of our Lord. In fine, let us prepare our perfumes for our divine Master: there must be the myrrh of the Magi, which signifies penance, and the precious spikenard of [Blessed Apostle Saint] Magdalene, which is the emblem of generous and compassionating love. Tuesday in Holy Week Missa Nos autem Today, again, our Savior sets out in the morning for Jerusalem. His intention is to repair to the temple, and continue His yesterday's teachings. It is evident that His mission on earth is fast drawing to its close. He says to His disciples: "You know that after two days shall be the Pasch, and the Son of Man shall be delivered up to be crucified." ( [Blessed Apostle Saint] Matthew 26:2 ). On the road from Bethania to Jerusalem, the disciples are surprised at seeing the fig-tree which their divine Master had yesterday cursed, now dead. Addressing himself to Jesus, Peter says: 'Rabbi, behold, the fig-tree, which Thou didst curse, is withered away.' ( [Blessed Apostle Saint] Mark 9:21 ) Jesus replies: "Have the faith of God. Amen I say to you, that whosoever shall say to this mountain: Be thou removed and cast into the sea! and shall not stagger in his heart, but believe that whatsoever he saith shall be done, it shall be done unto him" (1)-{St. Mark xi. 22, 23} (pages 255-256) ...No sooner has He ( Jesus ) entered the temple, than the chief priests, the scribes, and the ancients of the people, accost Him with these words: 'By what authority dost Thou these things? And who has given Thee this authority, that Thou shouldst do these things?(2)- {Ibid. 28} and who has given Thee this authority, that Thou shouldst do these things?' We shall find our Lord's answer given in the Gospel... In today's Mass, the Church reads the history of the Passion according to [Blessed Apostle Saint] Mark, who wrote his Gospel the next after [Blessed Apostle Saint] Matthew; hence it is that the second place is assigned to him. His account of the Passion is shorter than [Blessed Apostle Saint] Matthew's, of which it would often seem to be a summary; and yet certain details peculiar to this evangelist were evidently furnished by an eye-witness. Our readers are aware that [Blessed Apostle Saint] Mark was disciple of [Blessed Apostle Saint] Peter, and that his Gospel was written under the very eye of the prince of the apostles. (page 256) [Comments for the Epistle] Again we have the plaintive words of Jeremias: he gives us the very words used by his enemies, when they conspired his death. It is evident, however, that the prophet is here the figure of one greater than himself. Let us, say these enemies, put wood upon his bread; that is, let us put poisonous word into what he eats that so we may cause his death. This is the literal sense of these words, as applied to the prophet; but how much more truly were they fulfilled in our Redeemer! He tells us that His divine Flesh is the true Bread that came down from Heaven. This Bread, this Body of the Man-God, is bruised, torn, and wounded; the Jews nail it to the wood; so that, it is, in a manner, made one with the wood, and the wood is all covered with Jesus' Blood. This Lamb of God was immolated on the wood of the cross; it is by His immolation, that we have given to us a Sacrifice which is worthy of God; and it is by this Sacrifice that we participate the Bread of Heaven, the Flesh of the Lamb, our true Pasch. Wednesday in Holy Week Missa "In nomine Jesu" The figurative lamb is now to make way for the true one; the Pasch of this year will substitute the reality for the type; and Jesus' Blood, shed by the hands of wicked priests, is soon to flow simultaneously with that of victims which have been hitherto acceptable to God only because they prefigured the Sacrifice of Calvary. The Jewish priesthood is about to be its own executioner, by immolating Him, whose Blood is to abrogate the ancient Alliance, and perpetuate the new one. [Comments on Lesson for the Mass] ...The Synagogue will seek to stifle the Church in her infancy; but no sooner shall the Church, shaking the dust from her feet, turn from Jerusalem to the Gentiles than the vengeance of Christ will fall on the city which bought, betrayed, and crucified Him. Her citizens will have to pay dearly for these crimes. We learn from the Jewish historian Josephus, who was an eye-witness to the siege, that the fire which was raging in one of the streets was quenched by the torrents of their blood. Thus was fulfilled the threats pronounced by our Lord against this faithless city, as He sat on Mount Olivet, the day after His triumphant entry. And yet, the destruction of Jerusalem was but a faint image of the terrible destruction which is to befall the world at the last day. Jesus, who is now despised and insulted by sinners, will then appear on the clouds of Heaven, and reparation will be made for these outrages. Now He suffers Himself to be betrayed, scoffed at, and spit upon; but when the day of vengeance is come, happy they that have served Him, and have compassionated with Him in His humiliations and sufferings! Woe to them that have treated Him with contempt! Woe to those who, not content with refusing to bear His yoke, have led others to rebel against Him! For He is King; He came into this world that He might reign over it; and they that despise His mercy shall not escape His justice. [Comment on the Epistle for Wednesday's Mass] And we, after hearing both the old and new Testament upon the sufferings which Jesus went through for our sins, how shall we sufficiently love this dear Redeemer, who bore our infirmities and carried our sorrows, so as to look as a leper, and as one struck by God and afflicted? We are healed by His bruises! O heavenly Physician, Who takes upon Himself the sufferings of those He comes to cure! ... ...Let us love and adore this divine silence, which works our salvation. Let us not pass over an iota of the devotedness which Jesus shows us-a devotedness which never could have existed save in the heart of a God. Oh! how much He has loved us, His children, the purchase of His Blood, His seed, as the prophet here calls us. O holy Church! Thou long-lived seed of Jesus, who laid down His life, thou art dear to Him, for He bought thee at a great price. Faithful souls! Give Him love for love. Sinners! Be converted to this your Savior; His Blood will restore you to life, for if we have all gone astray like sheep, remember what is added. The Lord hath laid upon Him the iniquity of us all. There is no sinner, however great may be his crimes, there is no heretic, or infidel, who has not his share in this precious Blood, whose infinite merit is such, that it could redeem a million worlds more guilty even than our own. (pages 282-283). The Miracle of Transubstantiation, in the presence of, and for, the many, everywhere in the world, wherever Holy Mass is celebrated. Praise be the grace and glory of the Most Holy Trinity, through our Holy Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. "Nothing is so consoling, so piercing, so thrilling, so overcoming, as the Mass, said as it is among us. I could attend Mass forever, and not be tired. It is not a mere form of words; it is a great action. The greatest action that can be on earth. It is. . .the vocation of the Eternal." -- John Henry Cardinal Newman

[Robert Drobot]

Symbolum Apostolorum ~ THE APOSTLES' CREED

While the present form of the Apostles' Creed first appeared in the 6th century in the writings of Caesarius of Arles ( d 542 ), it can be traced in one form or another back to Apostolic times. Rufinus' Commentary on the Apostle's Creed ( ca. A.D. 407 ) contains the prayer in a form very close to what we have today. The Creed can also be found in a letter to Pope Julius I ( A.D. 340 ) and even earlier in a circa 200 document containing the Roman baptismal liturgy. It appears that originally this Creed was a baptismal creed summarizing the teachings of the Apostles and was given to the catechumens when they were baptized. Instead of the continuous prayer as we have it today, each line was rather in the form of a question to which the catechumen gave assent indicating he both understood and believed. Eventually this question and answer style was modified into the prayer form as we have it today. A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who recite the Symbolum Apostolorum.

CREDO in Deum Patrem omnipotentem, Creatorem caeli et terrae. Et in Iesum Christum, Filium eius unicum, Dominum nostrum, qui conceptus est de Spiritu Sancto, natus ex Maria Virgine, passus sub Pontio Pilato, crucifixus, mortuus, et sepultus, descendit ad inferos, tertia die resurrexit a mortuis, ascendit ad caelos, sedet ad dexteram Dei Patris omnipotentis, inde venturus est iudicare vivos et mortuos. Credo in Spiritum Sanctum, sanctam Ecclesiam catholicam, sanctorum communionem, remissionem peccatorum, carnis resurrectionem, vitam aeternam. Amen.

:  I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth: And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord: Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary: Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell: The third day he rose again from the dead: He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty: From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead: I believe in the Holy Ghost: I believe in the holy catholic church: the communion of saints: The forgiveness of sins: The resurrection of the body: And the life everlasting. Amen.

[Robert Drobot]

THE ATHANASIAN CREED

The Athanasian Creed, attributed to Saint Athanasius, also know as the Quicumque vult, was formerly recited at the office of Prime on Sundays and Trinity Sunday is the time when we renew our commitment to our Faith and the dogma Extra Ecclesiam Nulla Salus - "Outside the Church There is No Salvation." The Athanasian Creed is one of the four authoritative Creeds of Holy Mother Church ( The Apostle's Creed; Nicene Creed; and The Tridentine Creed, and it is not something that is an opinion but what every Roman Catholic must believe.

Quicumque vult salvus esse, ante omnia opus est, ut teneat catholicam fidem: Quam nisi quisque integram inviolatamque servaverit, absque dubio in aeternam peribit. Fides autem catholica haec est: ut unum Deum in Trinitate, et Trinitatem in unitate veneremur. Neque confundentes personas, neque substantiam seperantes. Alia est enim persona Patris alia Filii, alia Spiritus Sancti: Sed Patris, et Fili, et Spiritus Sancti una est divinitas, aequalis gloria, coeterna maiestas. Qualis Pater, talis Filius, talis Spiritus Sanctus. Increatus Pater, increatus Filius, increatus Spiritus Sanctus. Immensus Pater, immensus Filius, immensus Spiritus Sanctus. Aeternus Pater, aeternus Filius, aeternus Spiritus Sanctus. Et tamen non tres aeterni, sed unus aeternus. Sicut non tres increati, nec tres immensi, sed unus increatus, et unus immensus. Similiter omnipotens Pater, omnipotens Filius, omnipotens Spiritus Sanctus. Et tamen non tres omnipotentes, sed unus omnipotens. Ita Deus Pater, Deus Filius, Deus Spiritus Sanctus. Ita Dominus Pater, Dominus Filius, Dominus Spiritus Sanctus. Et tamen non tres Domini, sed unus est Dominus. Quia, sicut singillatim unamquamque personam Deum ac Dominum confiteri christiana veritate compelimur: ita tres Deos aut Dominos dicere catholica religione prohibemur. Pater a nullo est factus: nec creatus, nec genitus. Filius a Patre solo est: non factus, nec creatus, sed genitus. Spiritus Sanctus a Patre et Filio: non factus, nec creatus, nec genitus, sed procedens. Unus ergo Pater, non tres Patres: unus Filius, non tres Filii: unus Spiritus Sanctus, non tres Spiritus Sancti. Et in hac Trinitate nihil prius aut posterius, nihil maius aut minus: sed totae tres personae coaeternae sibi sunt et coaequales. Ita ut per omnia, sicut iam supra dictum est, et unitas in Trinitate, et Trinitas in unitate veneranda sit. Qui vult ergo salvus esse, ita de Trinitate sentiat. Sed necessarium est ad aeternam salutem, ut incarnationem quoque Domini nostri Iesu Christi fideliter credat. Est ergo fides recta ut credamus et confiteamur, quia Dominus noster Iesus Christus, Dei Filius, Deus et homo est. Deus est ex substantia Patris ante saecula genitus: et homo est ex substantia matris in saeculo natus. Perfectus Deus, perfectus homo: ex anima rationali et humana carne subsistens. Aequalis Patri secundum divinitatem: minor Patre secundum humanitatem. Qui licet Deus sit et homo, non duo tamen, sed unus est Christus. Unus autem non conversione divinitatis in carnem, sed assumptione humanitatis in Deum. Unus omnino, non confusione substantiae, sed unitate personae. Nam sicut anima rationalis et caro unus est homo: ita Deus et homo unus est Christus. Qui passus est pro salute nostra: descendit ad inferos: tertia die resurrexit a mortuis. Ascendit ad caelos, sedet ad dexteram Dei Patris omnipotentis: inde venturus est iudicare vivos et mortuos. Ad cuius adventum omnes homines resurgere habent cum corporibus suis: et reddituri sunt de factis propriis rationem. Et qui bona egerunt, ibunt in vitam aeternam: qui vero mala, in ignem aeternum. Haec est fides catholica, quam nisi quisque fideliter firmiterque crediderit, salvus esse non poterit. Amen.

:  Whosoever wishes to be saved must, above all, keep the Catholic Faith. For unless a person keeps this Faith whole and entire, he will undoubtedly be lost forever. This is what the Catholic Faith teaches: we worship one God in the Trinity and the Trinity in unity. Neither confounding the Persons, nor dividing the substance. For there is one Person of the Father, another of the Son, another of the Holy Spirit. But the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit have one divinity, equal glory, and coeternal majesty. What the Father is, the Son is, and the Holy Spirit is. The Father is uncreated, the Son is uncreated, and the Holy Spirit is uncreated. The Father is boundless, the Son is boundless, and the Holy Spirit is boundless. The Father is eternal, the Son is eternal, and the Holy Spirit is eternal. Nevertheless, there are not three eternal beings, but one eternal being. So there are not three uncreated beings, nor three boundless beings, but one uncreated being and one boundless being. Likewise, the Father is omnipotent, the Son is omnipotent, the Holy Spirit is omnipotent. Yet there are not three omnipotent beings, but one omnipotent being. Thus the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God. However, there are not three gods, but one God. The Father is Lord, the Son is Lord, and the Holy Spirit is Lord. However, there as not three lords, but one Lord. For as we are obliged by Christian truth to acknowledge every Person singly to be God and Lord, so too are we forbidden by the Catholic religion to say that there are three Gods or Lords. The Father was not made, nor created, nor generated by anyone. The Son is not made, nor created, but begotten by the Father alone. The Holy Spirit is not made, nor created, nor generated, but proceeds from the Father and the Son. There is, then, one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three sons; one Holy Spirit, not three holy spirits. In this Trinity, there is nothing before or after, nothing greater or less. The entire three Persons are co-eternal and co-equal with one another. So that in all things, as is has been said above, the Unity is to be worshipped in Trinity and the Trinity in Unity. He, therefore, who wishes to be saved, must believe thus about the Trinity. It is also necessary for eternal salvation that he believes steadfastly in the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thus the right faith is that we believe and confess that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is both God and man. As God, He was begotten of the substance of the Father before time; as man, He was born in time of the substance of His Mother. He is perfect God; and He is perfect man, with a rational soul and human flesh. He is equal to the Father in His divinity, but inferior to the Father in His humanity. Although He is God and man, He is not two, but one Christ. And He is one, not because His divinity was changed into flesh, but because His humanity was assumed unto God. He is one, not by a mingling of substances, but by unity of person. As a rational soul and flesh are one man: so God and man are one Christ. He died for our salvation, descended into hell, and rose from the dead on the third day. He ascended into Heaven, sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there He shall come to judge the living and the dead. At His coming, all men are to arise with their own bodies; and they are to give an account of their own deeds. Those who have done good deeds will go into eternal life; those who have done evil will go into the everlasting fire. This is the Catholic Faith. Everyone must believe it, firmly and steadfastly; otherwise he cannot be saved. Amen.

[Robert Drobot]

THE NICENE CREED

Symbolum Nicaenum, or Nicene Creed, has a complex history. It was first promulgated at the Council of Nicea ( A.D. 325 ), though in an abbreviated form from what we have below. Saint Athanasius attributes its composition to the Papal Legate to the Council, Hossius of Cordova. The Creed is also sometimes called the Nicene-Constantinoplan Creed since it appears in the Acts of the Council of Constantinople ( 381 ), but it is clear that this Council is not the source of that composition for it appears in complete form in the Ancoratus of Epiphanius of Salamis some seven years earlier in 374. In any case, it was this text that appears in the Acts of the Council of Constantinople that was formally promulgated at Chalcedon in 451 and has come down to us as our present Nicene Creed. It was at the councils of Nicea and Constantinople that the true nature of Jesus was defended against two heresies that had sprung up. The Arians denied Christ's divinity and the Monophysites denied Christ's humanity. The councils, drawing upon the traditions handed down to them from the Apostles, condemned both heresies and declared that Jesus was indeed both true God and true man.

Credo in unum Deum, Patrem omnipotentem, factorem caeli et terrae, visibilium omnium et invisibilium. Et in unum Dominum Iesum Christum, Filium Dei unigenitum, et ex Patre natum ante omnia saecula. Deum de Deo, Lumen de Luminem, Deum verum de Deo vero, genitum non factum, consubstantialem Patri; per quem omnia facta sunt. Qui propter nos homines et propter nostram salutem descendit de caelis. Et incarnatus est de Spiritu Sancto ex Maria Virgine, et homo factus est. Crucifixus etiam pro nobis sub Pontio Pilato, passus et sepultus est, et resurrexit tertia die, secundum Scripturas, et ascendit in caelum, sedet ad dexteram Patris. Et iterum venturus est cum gloria, iudicare vivos et mortuos, cuius regni non erit finis. Et in Spiritum Sanctum, Dominum et vivificantem, qui ex Patre Filioque procedit. Qui cum Patre et Filio simul adoratur et conglorificatur: qui locutus est per prophetas. Et unam, sanctam, catholicam et apostolicam Ecclesiam. Confiteor unum baptisma in remissionem peccatorum. Et expecto resurrectionem mortuorum, et vitam venturi saeculi. Amen.

:  I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, only-begotten and of the Father born before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through Whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven. And was incarnate by the Holy Spirit from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate; suffered, and was buried, and rose the third day according to the Scriptures; sits at the right hand of the Father. And He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and of His kingdom there shall be no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and life-giver, Who from the Father and the Son proceeds. Who, with the Father and the Son, is simultaneously adored and equally glorified: Who has spoken through the prophets. And one holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the remission of sins. And I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the age to come. Amen.

[Robert Drobot]

Professio fidei Tridentinae
The Tridentine Creed

Pope Pius IV promulgated this creed in his Bull, Injunctium Nobis, in 1565, about year after the close of the Council of Trent. It begins by repeating the Nicene Creed, and then goes on to re-affirm dogmas of the Church that were then being attacked by Protestants. For a long time thereafter it was used in reconciling Protestants who wished to return to the Church. Although seldom used any more, it has never been abrogated and remains one of the four Creeds of the Holy Mother Church.

Ego N. firma fide credo et profiteor omnia et singula, quae continentur in Symbolo, quo Sancta Romana ecclesia utitur, videlicet: Credo in unum Deum, Patrem omnipotentem, factorem caeli et terrae, visibilium omnium et invisibilium. Et in unum Dominum Iesum Christum, Filium Dei unigenitum, et ex Patre natum ante omnia saecula. Deum de Deo, Lumen de Lumine, Deum verum de Deo vero, genitum non factum, consubstantialem Patri; per quem omnia facta sunt. Qui propter nos homines et propter nostram salutem descendit de caelis. Et incarnatus est de Spiritu Sancto ex Maria Virgine, et homo factus est. Crucifixus etiam pro nobis sub Pontio Pilato, passus et sepultus est, et resurrexit tertia die, secundum Scripturas, et ascendit in caelum, sedet ad dexteram Patris. Et iterum venturus est cum gloria, iudicare vivos et mortuos, cuius regni non erit finis. Et in Spiritum Sanctum, Dominum et vivificantem, qui ex Patre Filioque procedit. Qui cum Patre et Filio simul adoratur et conglorificatur: qui locutus est per prophetas. Et unam, sanctam, catholicam et apostolicam Ecclesiam. Confiteor unum baptisma in remissionem peccatorum. Et expecto resurrectionem mortuorum, et vitam venturi saeculi. Amen. Apostolicas et ecclesiasticas traditiones reliquasque eiusdem ecclesiae observationes et consitutiones firmissime admitto et amplector. Item sacram Scripturam iuxta sensum eum, quem tenuit et tenet sancta mater Ecclesia, cuius et iudicare de vero sensu et interpretatione sacrarum Scripturarum, admitto, nec eam umquam nisi iuxta unanimem consensum Patrum accipiam et interpretabor. Profiteor quoque septem esse vere et proprie Sacramenta novae legis, a Iesu Christo Domino nostro instituta, atque ad salutem humani generis, licet non omnia singulis, necessaria: scilicet Baptismum, Confirmationem, Eucharistiam, Poenitentiam, Extremam Unctionem, Ordinem et Matrimonium, illaque gratiam conferre, et ex his Baptismum, Confirmationem et Ordinem sine sacrilegio reiterari non posse. Receptos quoque et approbatos ecclesiae catholicae ritus in supradictorum omnium Sacramentorum solemni administratione recipio et admitto. Omnia et singula, quae de peccato originali et de iustificatione in sacrosancta Tridentina Synodo definita et declarata fuerunt, amplector et recipio. Profiteor pariter, in Missa oferri Deo verum, proprium et propitiatorium sacrificium pro vivis et defunctis, atque in sanctissimo Eucharistiae Sacramento esse vere, realiter et substantialiter Corpus et Sanguinem, una cum anima et divinitate Domini nostri Iesu Christi, fierique conversionem totius substantiae panis in Corpus at totius substantiae vini in Sanguinem, quam conversionem Ecclesia catholica transsubstantiationem appellat. Fateor etiam sub altera tantum specie totum atque integrum Christum verumque Sacramentum sumi. Constanter teneo, purgatorium esse, animasque ibi detentas fidelium suffragiis iuvari. Similiter et Sanctos, una cum Christo regnantes, venerandos atque invocandos esse, eosque orationes Deo pro nobis offerre, atque eorum reliquias esse venerandas. Firmissime assero, imagines Christi ac Deiparae semper Virginis, necnon aliorum Sanctorum habendas et retiendas esse, atque eis debitum honorem et venerationem impertiendum. Indulgentiarum etiam potestatem a Christo in Ecclesia relictam fuisse, illarumque usu christiano populo maxime salutarem esse affirmo. Sanctam catholicam et apostolicam Ecclesiam romanam omnium ecclesiarum matrem et magistram agnosco, Romanoque Pontifici, beati Petri, Apostolorum principis, successori, ac Iesu Christi Vicario, veram obedientiam spondeo ac iuro. Cetera item omnia a sacris canonibus et oecumenicis Conciliis, ac praecipue a sacrosancta Tridentina Synodo, et ab oecumenico Concilio Vaticano tradita, definita et declarata, praesertim de Romani Pontificis primatu et infallibili magesterio indubitanter recipio ac profiteor; simulaque contraria omnia, atque haereses quascumque ab Ecclesia damnatas et reiectas et anathematizatas ego pariter damno, reicio, et anathematizo. Hanc veram catholicam fidem, extra quam nemo salvus esse potest, quam in praesenti sponte profiteor et veraciter teneo, eamdem integram, et inviolatam usque ad extremum vitae spiritum, constantissime, Deo adiuvante, retinere et confiteri, atque a meis subditis, vel illis, quorum cura ad me in munere meo spectabit, teneri, doceri et praedicari, quantum in me erit, curaturum, ego idem N. spondeo, voveo ac iuro. Sic me Deus adiuvet et haec sancta Dei Evangelia.

:  I, ( name ), with firm faith believe and profess all and everything which is contained in the creed of Faith, which the holy Roman Church uses, namely: "I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God; born of the Father before all ages; God of God, light of light, true God of true God; begotten, not made; being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven. And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary; and was made man. He was crucified also for us, suffered under Pontius Pilate, and was buried. And on the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures. And ascended into heaven. He sits at the right hand of the Father. And He shall come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead; of whose kingdom there shall be no end. And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, Who proceeds from the Father and the Son; Who together with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified; Who spoke by the Prophets. And in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the remission of sins. And I look for the resurrection of the dead. And the life of the world to come. Amen. "The Apostolic and Ecclesiastical traditions and all other observances and constitutions of that same Church I most firmly admit and embrace. "I likewise accept Holy Scripture according to that sense which our holy Mother Church has held and does hold, whose (office) it is to judge the true meaning and interpretation of Sacred Scriptures; I shall never accept nor interpret it otherwise than in accordance with the unanimous consent of the Fathers. "I also profess that there are truly and properly seven Sacraments of the New Law instituted by Jesus Christ our Lord, and necessary for the salvation of mankind, although not all are necessary for each individual; these sacraments are Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, Penance, Extreme Unction, Order, and Matrimony; and (I profess) that they confer grace, and that of these Baptism, Confirmation, and Order cannot be repeated without sacrilege. I also receive and admit the accepted and approved rites of the Catholic Church in the solemn administration of all the aforesaid Sacraments. "I embrace and accept each and everything that has been defined and declared by the Holy Synod of Trent concerning original sin and justification. "I also profess that in the Mass there is offered to God a true, proper sacrifice of propitiation for the living and the dead, and that in the most holy Sacrament of the Eucharist there is truly, really, and substantially present the Body and Blood together with the soul and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, and that there takes place a conversion of the whole substance of bread into the body, and of the whole substance of the wine into the blood; and this conversion the Catholic Church calls Transubstantiation. "I also acknowledge that under one species alone the whole and entire Christ and the true Sacrament are taken. "I steadfastly hold that Purgatory exists, and that the souls there detained are aided by the prayers of the faithful; likewise that the Saints reigning together with Christ should be venerated and invoked, and that they offer prayers to God for us, and that their relics should be venerated. "I firmly assert that the images of Christ and of the Mother of God ever Virgin, and also of the other Saints should be kept and retained, and that due honor and veneration should be paid to them; I also affirm that the power of indulgences has been left in the Church by Christ, and that the use of them is especially salutary for Christian people. "I acknowledge the holy Catholic and apostolic Roman Church as the mother and teacher of all Churches; and to the Roman Pontiff, the successor of blessed Peter, Prince of Apostles and Vicar of Jesus Christ, I promise and swear true obedience. "Also all other things taught, defined, and declared by the sacred Canons and Ecumenical Councils, and especially by the sacred and holy Synod of Trent (and by the Ecumenical Council of the Vatican, particularly concerning the Primacy of the Roman Pontiff and his infallible teaching,*) I without hesitation accept and profess; and at the same time all things contrary thereto, and whatever heresies have been condemned, and rejected, and anathematized by the Church, I likewise condemn, reject, and anathematize. "This true Catholic faith, outside of which no one can be saved, (and) which of my own accord I now profess and truly hold, I (name) do promise, vow, and swear that I will, with the help of God, most faithfully retain and profess the same to the last breath of my life as pure and inviolable, and that I will take care as far as lies in my power that it be held, taught, and preached by my subjects or by those over whom by virtue of my office I have charge, so help me God, and these holy Gospels of God."

[Robert Drobot]

Compare... Traditional Latin Mass Atmosphere of Reverent Worship : Peaceful, otherworldly atmosphere. Emphasis on individual 'lifting his heart & mind to God.' The faithful direct their prayer and attention to God, not each other." Profound Reverence for His Real Presence : Sixteen genuflections. The hands of the priest alone touch the consecrated host. Communion given only on tongue. Fidelity to Catholic Doctrine : Over the course of a year, all facets of Roman Rite Catholicism are presented. Antiquity : Bulk of Sunday prayers & their arrangement goes back at least to 300s and 400s AD. Canon essentially the same since Blessed Saint Ambrose ( 397 Anno Dómini ). Stability : Everything regulated by precise tradition to protect the purity of worship and doctrine. Priest is Sacrificer: Priest faces tabernacle, cross and altar ( symbolically toward God ). Priest performs all the actions & recites all the prayers of the Mass.		With.... Modern Mass at your parish Social, Classroom, Entertainment Atmosphere : Constant standing, sitting, amplified noise; atmosphere like a public meeting. Emphasis on 'instruction.' Socializing in church before & after service, and handshaking during. Indifference, Irreverence towards Real Presence : Only three genuflections required. Lay men & women distribute communion. Communion given in hand - a practice protestants introduced to deny Christ's Real Presence. Systematic Omission of Catholic Doctrines : New and or 'revised' prayers systematically omit all references to hell; judgment; punishment for sin; merits of the Saints; the One True Church; the souls of the departed; and heavenly miracles. Novelty : Traditional Sunday prayers omitted, or stripped of doctrines, and 'rearranged' from the 1960s to this day. Only 17% of old prayers remain. Chunks of ancient Canon are now 'optional'. The words of consecration, Christ's own words "For you and for many" have been changed. Three substitute 'Canons' invented & introduced in 1960s, with more invented later. Constant Change : Options, options and more options. Individual priests & parish liturgy committees get to pick, drop or invent texts to push whatever they think the faithful should believe. Priest is "President", Actor : Priest faces people instead of symbolically "toward God." Priest sits off to side. His functions given away to lay men and women whose hands have not been consecrated to hold the precious Body of Christ Jesus, nor have they been given the Holy Sacrament of Holy Orders to perform priestly duties.
©2007 traditionalmass.org.

[Robert Drobot]

The devotion was traditionally recited in Roman Catholic churches, convents, and monasteries three times daily: 6:00 am, noon, and 6:00 pm ( many churches still follow the devotion, and some practice it at home ).

Angelus

V. Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariae; R. Et concepit de Spiritu Sancto Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum. Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus. Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc, et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen. V. Ecce Ancilla Domini, R. Fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum. Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum. Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus. Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc, et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen. V. Et Verbum caro factum est, R. Et habitávit in nobis. Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum. Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus. Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc, et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen. V. Ora pro nobis, sancta Dei Genetrix, R. Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi. Gratiam tuam, quaesumus, Domine, méntibus, nostris infúnde; ut qui, Angelo nuntiánte, Christi Filii Tui Incarnationem cognóvimus, per passiónem eius et crucem, ad resurrectiónis gloriam perducámur. Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary; R. And she conceived of the Holy Ghost Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death. Amen. V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord, R. Be it done unto me according to Thy word. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death. Amen. V. And the Word was made flesh, R. And dwelt among us. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death. Amen. V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ Thy Son has been made known by the message of an Angel, may, by His passion and cross, be brought to the glory of His resurrection. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

[Robert Drobot]

THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE "Confession heals, confession justifies, confession grants pardon of sin. All hope consists in confession. In confession there is mercy. Believe it firmly, do not hesitate, never despair of the mercy of God." ~ Saint Isidore of Seville As soon as Jesus Christ rose from the dead and earned salvation for us, he brought his apostles a new gift. After speaking peace to them, he said, "As the Father has sent me, even so I send you" ( Blessed Apostle Saint John 20:21 ). Just as Jesus Christ was sent by the Father to reconcile the world to God, Jesus sent the apostles to continue his mission. Jesus then breathed on the apostles. This is a verse that is often passed over, but it has extraordinary significance because it is only the second time in all of Scripture where God breathes on anyone. The other instance was at the moment of creation, when God breathed his own life into the nostrils of Adam. This should tell us that something of great importance is taking place. Upon doing this, Jesus said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained" ( Blessed Apostle Saint John 20:22-23 ). Notice that Jesus is not simply commissioning the apostles to preach about God's forgiveness. He is not saying, "Go tell everyone that when God forgives men's sins, they're forgiven." In using the second person plural you, Jesus is telling his apostles that by the power of the Holy Spirit he has given them the power to forgive and retain the sins of men. Having the power to forgive and to retain sins implies that the apostle knows what a person's sins are, which in turn implies oral confession. Otherwise, how is the apostle to know what to retain or forgive? Consider the following early Christian writings from the first five centuries: "Confess your sins in church, and do not go up to your prayer with an evil conscience. This is the way of life. . . . On the Lord's Day gather together, break bread, and give thanks, after confessing your transgressions so that your sacrifice may be pure" ( Didache 4:14, 14:1 [ A.D. 70 ] ). "[ Regarding confession, some ] flee from this work as being an exposure of themselves, or they put it off from day to day. I presume they are more mindful of modesty than of salvation, like those who contract a disease in the more shameful parts of the body and shun making themselves known to the physicians; and thus they perish along with their own bashfulness"(Tertullian, Repentance 10:1 [ A.D. 203 ] ). "[ The bishop conducting the ordination of the new bishop shall pray: ] God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ . . . pour forth now that power which comes from you, from your royal spirit, which you gave to your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, and which he bestowed upon his holy apostles . . . and grant this your servant, whom you have chosen for the episcopate, [the power] to feed your holy flock and to serve without blame as your high priest . . . and by the Spirit of the high-priesthood to have the authority to forgive sins, in accord with your command" ( Hippolytus, Apostolic Tradition 3 [ A.D. 215 ] ). "Priests have received a power which God has given neither to angels nor to archangels. It was said to them: 'Whatsoever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever you shall loose, shall be loosed.' Temporal rulers have indeed the power of binding; but they can only bind the body. Priests, in contrast, can bind with a bond which pertains to the soul itself and transcends the very heavens. Did [God] not give them all the powers of heaven? 'Whose sins you shall forgive,' he says, 'they are forgiven them; whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.' What greater power is there than this? The Father has given all judgment to the Son. And now I see the Son placing all this power in the hands of men" ( Saint John Chrysostom, The Priesthood 3:5 [ A.D. 387 ] ). EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE Prayers before Confession Act of Contrition O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of Heaven and the pains of Hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, do penance and to amend my life. Amen. A Review of the Ten Commandments Preliminary Besides telling the nature of your sins, you must also recollect, as far as possible, the number of times you have committed them, telling also ( and only ) those circumstances which at times may either make a venial sin mortal or a mortal sin notably worse. 1. Have I ever failed to confess a serious sin or disguised it? 2. Have I been guilty of irreverence for this sacrament by failing to examine my conscience carefully? 3. Have I failed to perform the penance given me by the confessor or disobeyed any of his directions? 4. Have I neglected the Easter duty of receiving Holy Communion or failed to confess my sins within a year? 5. Have I any habits of serious sin to confess first (impurity, drunkenness, etc.)? 6. Have I improved on cutting down these habitual sins or is one confession after another sound like the same? If so, what can I resolve to improve? First Commandment : I am the Lord thy God. Thou shalt not have strange gods before Me 1. Am I ignorant of my catechism ( Act of Contrition, Apostle's Creed, Ten Commandments, Seven Sacraments, the Our Father )? 2. Have I willfully doubted or denied any of the teachings of the Church ( heresy )? 3. Have I taken active part in any non-Catholic worship? 4. Am I a member of any anti-Catholic or any secret society? 5. Have I knowingly read any anti-Catholic literature or watched an anti-Catholic film or program or listened to anti-Catholic rhetoric? 6. Have I practiced any superstitions (horoscopes, fortune tellers, etc.)? 7. Have I failed to defend my Faith when it was attacked or have I remained silent for fear of being rebuked? Second Commandment : Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain 1. Have I used God's name in vain by way of profanity? 2. Have I condoned others who use profanity by my silent approval? 3. Have I murmured or complained against God (blasphemy)? 4. Have I maligned priests or others consecrated to God without just reason? 5. Have I sworn by God's name (oath) either falsely or rashly? 6. Have I broken any vow to God either public or private? 7. Have I rationalized myself around a vow by cutting corners? Third Commandment : Keep holy the Lord's Day 1. Have I missed Mass on Sundays or holydays through my own fault? 2. Have I been late for Mass through my own negligence? 3. Do I realize it is a venial sin to miss any part of the Mass? 4. Do I realize being really late for Mass is a mortal sin and my only alternative is to wait and go to another Mass? 5. Have I been inattentive at Mass or otherwise failed in reverence for the Most Blessed Sacrament? 6. Have I done unnecessary servile work (physical labor) or shopping on Sunday? 7. Have I eaten flesh meat on Friday (especially on Good Friday) or on Ash Wednesday or the assigned vigil fast days? 8. Have I obeyed the laws of the Church on fast and abstinence? Fourth Commandment : Honor thy Father and Mother 1. Have I been disrespectful to my parents or neglected them? 2. Have I failed in obedience or reverence to others in authority? 3. Have I mistreated my wife or children? 4. Have I been disobedient or disrespectful to my husband? 5. Regarding my children: -Have I neglected their material needs? -Have I failed to care for their early Baptism or their proper religious instruction? -Have I allowed them to neglect their religious duties? -Have I tolerated their keeping questionable company or steady dating without chaperones? -Have I otherwise failed to discipline them? -Have I given them bad example in any way? -Have I let boys and girls sleep together or with their parents? -Have I interfered with their freedom to marry or follow a religious vocation? Fifth Commandment : Thou shalt not kill 1. Have I placed any one's life in danger? 2. Have I threatened any one's life in anger? 3. Have I condoned or promoted abortion? 4. Have I condoned or tolerated others who promote abortion? 5. Have I taken pleasure in anyone's misfortune? 6. Have I jeopardized others by my driving recklessly? 7. Have I used contraceptives thus preventing life? 8. Have I been sympathetic to those contemplating suicide? Sixth & Ninth Commandments : Thou shalt not commit adultery and Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife 1. Have I committed adultery or fornication? 2. Have I jeopardized my marriage by flirting or untoward glances and advances toward the opposite sex? 3. Have I denied my spouse his or her marriage rights? 4. Have I practiced birth control? 5. Have I abused my marriage rights in any other way? 6. Have I touched or embraced another impurely? 7. Have I sinned with others of the same sex? 8. Have I committed masturbation or otherwise sinned impurely with myself? 9. Have I harbored lustful desires for anyone? 10. Have I indulged in other impure thoughts? 11. Have I failed to dress modestly? 12. Have I done anything to provoke or occasion impure thoughts in others? 13. Have I read indecent literature or looked at indecent pictures or websites? 14. Have I watched suggestive films or television programs? 15. Have I permitted my children or others under my charge to do these things? 16. Have I used indecent language or told indecent stories? 17. Have I willingly listened to such stories? 18. Have I boasted of my sins? 19. Have I condoned promiscuity by my silent consent of the actions of others? 20. Have I sinned against chastity in any other way? 21. Do I realize my body is the temple of the Holy Ghost and must be treated as such? 22. Do I realize that there are more souls in hell for the sins of the flesh than any other sin? How seriously do I take that and what can I do to become more chaste? Seventh & Tenth Commandments : Thou shalt not steal and Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods 1. Have I stolen anything? 2. Have I damaged anyone's property through my own fault? 3. Have I cheated or defrauded others? 4. Have I refused or neglected to pay any just debts? 5. Have I neglected my duties or been slothful in my work? 6. Have I refused or neglected to help anyone in urgent necessity? 7. Have I failed to make restitution? 8. Have I harmed the good name or reputation of others in any way? Eighth Commandment : Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor 1. Have I lied about anyone ( calumny )? 2. Have I rash judged anyone of a serious sin? 3. Have I engaged in gossip (detraction) or spread scandal? 4. Have I lent an ear to scandal about my neighbor? 5. Have I been jealous or envious of anyone? 6. Have I taken pleasure in anyone's misfortune? 7. Have I quarreled with any one and caused scandal? 8. Have I cursed anyone or otherwise wished evil on him? 9. Is there anyone to whom I refuse to speak or be reconciled? OTHER SINS : 1. Have I knowingly caused others to sin? 2. Have I cooperated in the sins of others? 3. Have I sinned by gluttony? 4. Have I become intoxicated? 5. Have I misused liquor or narcotics? 6. Have I been motivated by avarice? 7. Have I indulged in boasting or vain glory? 8. Have I received Holy Communion or another sacrament in the state of mortal sin? 9. Is there any other sin I need to confess? Take time to thoroughly go over the list before you travel to church to go to confession. Once at church or in line for confession, recall the sins you have examined, and sincerely say the following prayer: Prayer to the Holy Ghost Come, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love. For inspiration, read how Christ forgives from the Cross ( Blessed Apostle Saint Luke 23:33-34), the story of Blessed Apostle Saint Mary Magdalen and the Parable of The Two Debtors ( Blessed Apostle Saint Luke 7:36-50), and the Parable of the Prodigal Son ( Blessed Apostle Saint Luke 15:11-32 ). See also Saint Ephraem's "Homily on the Sinful Woman."

[Robert Drobot]

To be a Roman Rite Catholic you must believe the body of Jesus Christ is present in each consecrated wafer ( Holy Eucharist ); that the sacrifice of Calvary is repeated at every Mass; and that he gives Himself to us in the form of Holy Communion to sustain His creation ( you ) as His tabernacle. Eucharistic Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the Tabernacle or through exposition : Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration is a wonderful devotion that adores Jesus present in the Blessed Sacrament. Through a deeper love and closer relationship with Jesus, you acquire the strength, healing and peace to make it through your pilgrimage of life and to achieve your ultimate goal - Heaven and the Beatific Vision. In many ways, Our Lord, is calling us to worship and receive Him in the Eucharist. He speaks this desire in many ways: through the Pope and the Magisterium of the Church, in the Bible ( Blessed Apostle Saint John 6 ), through his Blessed Mother in approved Marian apparitions, through the testimonies of Saints and Martyrs, through Eucharistic miracles, through Church approved messages given by Jesus by Divine Revelation, through our souls who long for Jesus in Communion, and through our suffering world which is in much need of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. Unfortunately many of us disbelieve or have grown indifferent towards Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Holy Mother most merciful, we implore the infinite mercy of thy Son even more, for now doth the world and the Church so reek of doubt and error. Everywhere thy Son is blasphemed and smited in the Holy Eucharist; But what is still worse is the apostasy of both clerics and laity who no longer hold dear the whole and summit of our Faith; His Sacrifice and Sacrament of Body and Blood. In our un-dying love of the Bread of Life, the Everlasting Manna, the Holiest of Holies; we render unto thy Son adoration, thanksgiving, and atonement in reparation for these heinous acts of blasphemy. Would that we could shed our own blood to make them cease. Again, Holy Mother, thou who art the enemy of the serpent, send forth thy legions to protect thy Son in the Blessed Sacrament, and command thy legions to act upon the mind and will of those who would blaspheme our Lord's Body and Blood. COMMUNION IN THE HAND BY ONE NOT CONSECRATED REMAINS A PROHIBITED AND CONDEMNED ABOMINATION WITHIN THE HOLY AND APOSTOLIC CHURCH "Communion in the hand" is a Protestant innovation foisted upon the Roman Rite Catholic world in the name of false ecumenism. The Novus Ordo practice of communion in the hand is rooted in the rejection of the Catholic doctrine on the Holy Eucharist and the denial of the Catholic priesthood. The Church has condemned communion in the hand from the early centuries : Pope Saint Sixtus ( 115-125 ). Prohibited the faithful from even touching the Sacred Vessels: "Statutum est ut sacra vasa non ab aliis quam a sacratis Dominoque dicatis contrectentur hominibus..." [It has been decreed that the Sacred Vessels are not to be handled by others than by those consecrated and dedicated to the Lord.] Pope Saint Eutychian ( 275-283 ). Forbade the faithful from taking the Sacred Host in their hand. Saint Basil The Great, Doctor of The Church ( 330-379 ). "The right to receive Holy Communion in the hand is permitted only in time of persecution." Saint Basil considered Communion in the hand so irregular that he did not hesitate to consider it a grave fault. COUNCIL OF SARAGOSSA ( 380 ). It was decided to punish with EXCOMMUNICATION anyone who dared to continue the practice of Holy Communion in the hand. The Synod of Toledo confirmed this decree. Pope Saint Leo The Great ( 440-461 ). Energetically defended and required faithful obedience to the practice of administering Holy Communion on the tongue of the faithful. SYNOD OF ROUEN (650). Condemned Communion in the hand to halt widespread abuses that occurred from this practice, and as a safeguard against sacrilege. SIXTH ECUMENICAL COUNCIL, AT CONSTANTINOPLE (680-681). Forbade the faithful to take the Sacred Host in their hand, threatening the transgressors with excommunication. Saint Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274). "Out of reverence towards this sacrament [ the Holy Eucharist ], nothing touches it, but what is consecrated; hence the corporal and the chalice are consecrated, and likewise the priest's hands, for touching this sacrament." ( Summa Theologica, Pars III, Q. 82, Art. 3, Rep. Obj. 8 ). COUNCIL OF TRENT (1545-1565). "The fact that only the priest gives Holy Communion with his consecrated hands is an Apostolic Tradition." Pope Paul VI ( 1963-1978 ). "This method [on the tongue] must be retained." (Apostolic Epistle "Memoriale Domini" ). Pope John Paul II. "To touch the sacred species and to distribute them with their own hands is a privilege of the ordained. ( Dominicae Cenae, sec. 11) "It is not permitted that the faithful should themselves pick up the consecrated bread and the sacred chalice, still less that they should hand them from one to another." ( Inaestimabile Donum, April 17, 1980, sec. 9). The Sacrifice of the Eucharist as the central act of worship of the Roman Rite Catholic Church. The "Mass" is a late form of mission (sending), from which the faithful are sent to put into practice what they have learned and use the graces they have received in the Eucharistic liturgy. The Mass cannot be understood apart from Calvary, of which it is a re-presentation, memorial, and effective application of the merits gained by Christ. "Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is my body.' And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." ( Blessed Apostle Saint Matthew 26:26-28 ).

[Robert Drobot]

~ Petitions ~ Our Lady of La Salette, pray for us. Precious Innocents conceived in His image and likeness, but denied their right to the life He intended, please forgive us. Terri Schindler-Schiavo, please forgive us. Saint Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church and Protector of the Faithful, pray for us. Our Lady of Perpetual Help, comforter to the many who seek your healing grace, pray for us. Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us. Sister Maria Lucia of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart, pray for us Blessed Francisco, pray for us. Blessed Jacinta, pray for us. Saint John the Beloved, pray for us. Saint John the Baptist, pray for us. Saint Gabriel the Archangel, pray for us. Saint Michael the Archangel, protect the faithful from the snares of the disciples of Lucifer in disguise, and bring ruin to those who intimidate, oppress, imprison, torture, and murder His faithful servants throughout the world. Saint Raphael the Archangel, pray for us. Saint John the Beloved, pray for us. Saints Peter and Paul, pray for us. Saint Padre Pio, pray for us. Saint Therese ( Lisieux ) of the Child Jesus, pray for us. Saint Bartholomew of Rossano, pray for us. Saint Jerome, pray for us. Saint Hedwig, pray for us. Saint Teresa of Avila, pray for us. Pope Saint Callistus, pray for us. Saint Edward the Confessor, pray for us. Saint John Mary Vianney, pray for us. Saint Vincent de Paul, pray for us. Saint Therese Lisieux, pray for us. Saint Martin of Tours, pray for us. Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, pray for us. Saint Athanasius, pray for us. Saint Alphonsus de Liguori, pray for us. Saint Dominic, pray for us. Saint Basil, pray for us. Saint Augustine, pray for us. Saint Thomas Aquinas, pray for us. Saint Vincent Ferrer, pray for us. Saint Sebastian, pray for us. Saint Tarcisius, pray for us. Saint Agnes, pray for us. Saint Agatha, pray for us. Saint Bridget of Sweden, pray for us. Saint Catherine of Sweden, pray for us. Saint Philomena, pray for us. Saint John Bosco, pray for us. Saint Teresa of Avila, pray for us. Saint Bernadette Soubirous, pray for us. Pope Saint Pius V, pray for us. Pope Saint Gregory the Great, pray for us. Pope Saint Leo the Great, pray for us. Pope Saint Pius X, pray for us. Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich, pray for us. Blessed Pauline Jaricot, pray for us. Blessed Miguel Augustin Pro, pray for us. Saint Athanasius, fierce fighter of the Arians, pray for us. Saint Clare, the great apostle of Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, pray for us. Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,spare us, O Lord. Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord. Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. We pray the sheppards entrusted with His many faithful in the East and in the West rebuild a single unifying foundation intended by The Most Holy Trinity, and instituted by the Son of God Almighty, our Lord and Savior Jesus, from whom the whole Body is joined and knit together Jesus graciously hear us. That missionary zeal will save the many Jesus graciously hear us. That the thoughts of the powerful of the earth may be turned from war and opened to the making of peace, Jesus graciously hear us. That those who journey in darkness may be given friends and companions to lead them by the hand; and that those whose hearts are hardened against Jesus and His Church may come to know His Most Sacred Heart, Jesus graciously hear us. That we who partake of these Holy Mysteries may be illumined by the same light that blazed before the eyes of Saint Paul on the road to Damascus, and, like him, live by faith in the Son of God who loved us and gave himself up for us ( Galatians 2:20 ), to the Lord we pray, Christ, graciously hear us.

[Robert Drobot]

Pope Pius XII with Tiara and Sedalia "The use of the Latin language, customary in a considerable section of the Church, is a manifest and beautiful sign of unity, as well as an effective antidote for any corruption of doctrinal truth." ~~ Pope Pius XII, Encyclical Mediator Dei #60, November 20, 1947

[Robert Drobot]

† Traditional Sunday Propers †

† Dominica in Palmis ~ Palm Sunday †

† Statio ad S. Joannem in Laterano ~ Station at Saint John Lateran †

Anno Dómini 17 April 2011

Dómine, ne longe fácias auxílium tuum a me: ad defensiónem meam áspice: líbera me de ore leónis.... ~ ~ Lord, do not stand at a distance, if Thou wouldst aid me; look to my defense: rescue me from the very mouth of the lion....

"....Hosanna filio David: benedictus, qui venit in nomine Domini ~ ~ Hosanna to the Son of David; Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord...."

Thread Sources

A very special 'Thank you' to AmericanCatholic.org; ASU.edu; fisheaters.com; Friends of Fatima; catholic.org; and saints.sqpn.com, for edited commentaries and resources related to the presentation of today's Proper. Additional sources: Saint Andrew Daily Missal and the 1945 Marian Missal

[Ubi ante Missam facta fuerit benedictio et processio ramorum, celebrans cum ministris, accedit ad Altare, et, omissis psalmo Júdica me Deus ac confessione, statim ascendens, osculatur illud, et incensat.]

[Where Mass is preceded by the blessing and procession of palms, the Psalm Judge me, O God and the confessional prayers are omitted. The celebrant, with the ministers, goes up to the altar, kisses it and incenses it at once]

Introitus ~ Introit
Psalm XXI:XX-XXII ~ 21:21-22

Dómine, ne longe fácias auxílium tuum a me: ad defensiónem meam áspice: líbera me de ore leónis, et a córnibus unicornuórum humilitátem meam. Psalm 21:2 Deus, Deus meus, réspice in me: quare me dereliquísti? longe a salúte mea verba delictórum meórum. Dómine, ne longe fácias auxílium tuum a me: ad defensiónem meam áspice: líbera me de ore leónis, et a córnibus unicornuórum humilitátem meam. V. Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, et in sæcula sæculórum. Amen. Repeat : Dómine, ne longe fácias auxílium tuum a me.....

Lord, do not stand at a distance, if Thou wouldst aid me; look to my defence: rescue me from the very mouth of the lion, the very horns of the wild oxen that have brought me thus low. Psalm 21:2 My God, my God, look upon me: why hast Thou forsaken me? Why cannot my sinful words reach Thee, Who art my salvation? Lord, do not stand at a distance, if Thou wouldst aid me; look to my defence: rescue me from the very mouth of the lion, the very horns of the wild oxen that have brought me thus low. V. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Repeat : Lord, do not stand at a distance, if Thou wouldst aid me.....

ORATIO ~ COLLECT

Omnípotens sempitérne Deus, qui humáno géneri, ad imitándum humilitátis exémplum, Salvatórem nostrum carnem súmere et crucem subíre fecísti: concéde propítius; ut et patiéntiæ ipsíus habére documénta et resurrectiónis consórtia mereámur. Per eúndem Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus: per ómnia sæcula sæculórum. Amen., per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus. Collect For The Intercession Of The Blessed Virgin Mary Deus, qui diligéntibus te bona invisibília præparásti: infúnde córdibus nostris tui amóris efféctum; ut te in ómnibus, et super ómnia diligéntes, promissiónes tuas, quæ omne desidérium súperent, consequámur, per eúmdem Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus. Collect For The Intercession Of The Saints A cunctis nos quæsumus Dómine mentis et cópores defénde perículis: et intercedénet beáat et gloriósa semper Vírgine Dei Genitrice María, cum beáto Joseph, beátis Apóstolis tuis Petro et Paulo, et ómnibus Sanctis, salútem nobis tríbue benígnus et pacem; ut destrúctis adversitátibus et erróribus univérsis, Ecclésia tua secúra tibi sérviat libertáte. Per Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum. Collect For The Living and the Dead Omnipotens sempiterna Deus, qui vivorum dominaris simuesse praenoscis: te supplices exoramus; ut, pro quibus effundere preces decrevimus, quosque vel praesens saeculum adhuc in carne retinet, vel futurum jam exutos corpore suscepit, intercedentibus omnibus Sanctis tuis, pietatis tuae clementia omnium delictorum suorum veniam consequantur, per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, Per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen. Collect for God's Holy Church Ecclésiæ tuæ, quæ-sumus, Dómine, preces placátus admítte: ut, destrúctis adversitátibus et erróribus univérsis, secura tibi sérviat libertáte. Per Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum. Collect Against the persecutors of Holy Mother Church Ecclesiae tuae, quaesumus, Domine, preces placátus admítte : ut, destrúctis adversitátibus et erróribus univérsis, secura tibi sérviat libertate, per Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum

A lmighty and everlasting God, by whose ordinance our Saviour took flesh and suffered crucifixion to give mankind a pattern of humility, grant us this boon, that, with the lesson of His endurance before us, we may be found worthy to have fellowship in His resurrection, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God. Collect For The Intercession Of The Blessed Virgin Mary O Almighty and Everlasting God, who hast granted to Thy servants, in confessing the true Faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of Majesty to adore the Unity, we beseech Thee, that by steadfastness in the same Faith, we may ever be defended against all adversity, through the same Jesus Christ. Collect For The Intercession Of The Saints D efend us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, from all dangers of mind and body: and through the intercession of the blessed and glorious Mary, ever Virgin, mother of God, of Saint Joseph, of Thy holy apostles, Saints Peter and Paul, and of all the saints, in Thy loving-kindness grant us safety and peace; that, all adversities and errors being overcome, Thy Church may serve Thee in security and freedom. Collect For The Living and the Dead O Almighty and Eternal God, Who hast dominion over both the living and the dead, and hast mercy on all Whom Thou knowest shall be Thine by faith and good works: we humbly beseech Thee that all for whom we have resolved to make supplication whether the present world still holds them in the flesh, or the world to come has already received them out of the body, may, through the intercession of all Thy saints, obtain of Thy goodness and clemency pardon for all their sins, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Collect For God's Holy Church Graciously hear, O Lord, the prayers of Thy Church that, having overcome all adversity and every error, she may serve Thee in security and freedom. Collect Against the persecutors of Holy Mother Church We beseech Thee, O Lord, mercifully to receive the prayers of Thy Church : that, all adversity and error being destroyed, she may serve Thee in security and freedom, through Jesus Christ our Lord

EPISTOLA ~ EPISTLE ¤ Philippénses II:V-XI ~ Philippians 2:5-11

Léctio Epístolæ beati Pauli Apóstoli ad Philippénses Fratres : Hoc enim sentíte in vobis, quod et in Christo Jesu: qui, cum in forma Dei esset non rapínam arbitrátus est esse se æquálem Deo: sed semetípsum exinanívit, formam servi accípiens, in similitúdinem hóminum factus, et hábitu invéntus ut homo. Humiliávit semetípsum, factus obédiens usque ad mortem, mortem autem crucis. Propter quod et Deus exaltávit illum, et donávit illi nomen, quod est super omne nomen: [hic genuflectitur] ut in nómine Jesu omne genu flectátur cæléstium, terréstrium, et infernórum: et omnis lingua confiteátur, quia Dóminus Jesus Christus in glória est Dei Patris.

A reading from the Epistle of Blessed Apostle Saint Paul to the Philippians. Brethren: yours is to be the same mind which Christ Jesus showed. His nature is, from the first, divine, and yet He did not see, in the rank of Godhead, a prize to be coveted; He dispossessed Himself, and took the nature of a slave, fashioned in the likeness of men, and presenting Himself to us in human form; and then He lowered His own dignity, accepted an obedience which brought Him to death, death on a cross. That is why God has raised Him to such a height, given Him that name which is greater than any other name; [here all kneel] So that everything in heaven and on earth and under the earth must bend the knee before the name of Jesus, and every tongue must confess Jesus Christ as the Lord, dwelling in the glory of God the Father.

GRADUALE ~ GRADUAL : ¤ Psalm LXXII:XXIV, I-III ~ 72:24, 1-3

T enuísti manum déxteram meam : et in voluntáte tua deduxísti me : et cum glória assumpsísti me. Quam bonus Israël Deus rectis corde! mei autem pæne moti sunt pedes, pæne effúsi sunt gressus mei : quia zelávi in peccatóribus, pacem peccatórum videns.

Thou dost hold me by my right hand: Thine to lead me in a way of Thy own choosing, Thine to take me up to Thyself in glory. What bounty God shows to Israel, to all upright hearts! Yet I came near to losing my foothold, and felt the ground sink under my steps, so indignant was I over the good fortune of the sinners that flout His law.

TRACT : ¤ Psalm XXI:II-IX, XVIII-IX, XXII, XXIV, XXXII ~ 21:2-9, 18-19, 22, 24, 32

D eus, Deus meus, réspice in me: quare me dereliquísti? Longe a salúte mea verba delictórum meórum. Deus meus, clamábo per diem, nec exáudies: in nocte, et non ad insipiéntiam mihi. Tu autem in sancto hábitas laus Israel. In te speravérunt patres nostri: speravérunt et liberásti eos. Ad te clamavérunt, et salvi facti sunt: in te speravérunt et non sunt confúsi. Ego autem sum vermis, et non homo: oppróbrium hóminum, et abjéctio plebis. Omnes, qui vidébant me, aspernabántur me: locúti sunt lábiis et movérunt caput. Sperávit in Dómino, erípiat eum: salvum fáciat eum, quóniam vult eum. Ipsi vero consideravérunt, et conspexérunt me: divisérunt sibi vestiménta mea, et super vestem meam misérunt sortem. Líbera me de ore leónis: et a córnibus unicórnium humilitátem meam. Qui timétis Dóminum, laudáte eum: univérsum semen Jacob, magnificáte eum. Annuntiábitur Dómino generátio ventúra: et anuntiábunt cæli justítiam ejus. Pópulo, qui nascétur, quem fecit Dóminus.

My God, my God, look upon me; why hast Thou forsaken me? Why cannot my sinful words reach Thee, Who art my salvation? Thou dost not answer, my God, when I cry out to Thee day and night and I am patient still. Thou art there nonetheless, dwelling in the holy place Israel's ancient boast. It was in Thee that our fathers trusted, and Thou didst reward their trust by delivering them. They cried to Thee, and rescue came; no need to be ashamed of such trust as theirs. But I, poor worm, have no manhood left; I am a by-word to all, the laughing-stock of the rabble. All those who catch sight of me fall to mocking; mouthing out insults, while they toss their heads in scorn. He committed Himself to the Lord, why does not the Lord come to His rescue and set His favorite free? They stand there watching Me, gazing at Me. They divide My spoils among them, cast lots for My garments. Rescue me from the very mouth of the lion, the very horns of the wild oxen that have brought me thus low. Praise the Lord, all you that are His worshippers; honor to Him, from the sons of Jacob. The Lord will claim for His own a generation that is still to come; heaven itself will make known His faithfulness. To a people yet to be born, a people of the Lord's own founding..

From A Series of 153 Woodcuts by Jerome Nadal, SJ,
published in Evangelicae Historiae Imagines c.1593

EVANGELIUM ~ GOSPEL - Blessed Apostle Saint Matthæum XXVI:XXXVI-LXXV; XXVII:I-LX ~ Matthew 26:36-75; 27:1-60

† Sequentia sancti Evangelii secundum Matthæum † I n illo tempore: Venit Jesus cum discípulis suis in villam, quæ dícitur Gethsémani, et dixit discípulis suis: [+] Sedéte hic donec vadam illuc, et orem. [C.] Et assúmpto Petro, et duóbus fíliis Zebedæi, cæpit contristári et mæstus esse. Tunc ait illis: [+] Tristis est ánima mea usque ad mortem: sustinéte hic, et vigiláte mecum. [C.] Et progréssus pusíllum, prócidit in fáciem suam, orans, et dicens: [+] Pater mi, si possíbile est, tránseat a me calix iste: verúmtamen non sicut ego volo, sed sicut tu. [C.] Et venit ad discípulos suos, et invénit eos dormiéntes, et dicit Petro: [+] Sic non potuístis una hora vigiláre mecum? Vigiláte, et oráte ut non intrétis in tentatiónem. Spíritus quidem promptus est, caro autem infírma. [C.] Iterum secúndo ábiit, et orávit, dicens: [+] Pater mi, si non potest hic calix transíre nisi bibam illum, fiat volúntas tua. [C.] Et venit íterum, et invénit eos dormiéntes: erant enim óculi eórum graváti. Et relíctis illis, íterum ábiit, et orávit tértio, eúndem sermónem dicens. Tunc venit ad discípulos suos, et dicit illis: [+] Dormíte jam, et requiéscite: ecce appropinquávit hora, et Fílius hóminis tradétur in manus peccatórum. Súrgite, eámus: ecce appropinquávit qui me tradet. [C.] Adhuc eo loquénte, ecce Judas unus de duódecim venit, et cum eo turba multa cum gládiis et fústibus, missi a princípibus sacerdótum, et senióribus pópuli. Qui autem trádidit eum, dedit illis signum, dicens: [S.] Quemcúmque osculátus fúero, ipse est, tenéte eum. [C.] Et conféstim accédens ad Jesum, dixit: [S.] Ave Rabbi. [C.] Et osculátus est eum. Dixítque illi Jesus: [+] Amíce, ad quid venísti? [C.] Tunc accessérunt, et manus injecérunt in Jesum, et tenuérunt eum. Et ecce unus ex his qui erant cum Jesu, exténdens manum, exémit gládium suum, et percútiens servum príncipis sacerdótum amputávit aurículam ejus. Tunc ait illi Jesus: [+] Convérte gládium tuum in locum suum: omnes enim, qui accepérint gládium, gládio períbunt. An putas, quia non possum rogáre Patrem meum, et exhibébit mihi modo plus quam duódecim legiónes Angelórum? Quómodo ergo implebúntur Scriptúræ, quia sic opórtet fíeri? [C.] In illa hora dixit Jesus turbis: [+] Tamquam ad latrónem exístis cum gládiis et fústibus comprehéndere me: quotídie apud vos sedébam docens in templo, et non me tenuístis. [C.] Hoc autem totum factum est, ut adimpleréntur Scriptúræ prophetárum. Tunc discípuli omnes, relícto eo, fugérunt. At illi tenéntes Jesum, duxérunt ad Cáipham príncipem sacerdótum, ubi scribæ et senióres convénerant. Petrus autem sequebátur eum a longe, usque in átrium príncipis sacerdótum. Et ingréssus intro, sedébat cum minístris, ut vidéret finem. Príncipes autem sacerdótum, et omne concílium, quærébant falsum testimónium contra Jesum, ut eum morti tráderent: et non invenérunt, cum multi falsi testes accessíssent. Novíssime autem venérunt duo falsi testes, et dixérunt: [S.] Hic dixit: Possum destrúere templum Dei, et post tríduum reædificáre illud. [C.] Et surgens princeps sacerdótum, ait illi: [S.] Nihil respóndes ad ea, quæ isti advérsum te testificántur? [C.] Jesus autem tacébat. Et princeps sacerdótum ait illi: [S.] Adjúro te per Deum vivum, ut dicas nobis si tu es Christus Fílius Dei. [C.] Dicit illi Jesus: [+] Tu dixísti. Verúmtamen dico vobis, ámodo vidébitis Fílium hóminis sedéntem a dextris virtútis Dei, et veniéntem in núbibus cæli. [C.] Tunc princeps sacerdótum scidit vestiménta sua, dicens: [S.] Blasphemávit: quid adhuc egémus téstibus? Ecce nunc audístis blasphémiam: quid vobis vidétur? [C.] At illi respondéntes dixérunt: [S.] Reus est mortis. [C.] Tunc expuérunt in fáciem ejus, et cólaphis eum cecidérunt, álii autem palmas in fáciem ejus dedérunt, dicéntes: [S.] Prophetíza nobis, Christe, quis est qui te percússit? [C.] Petrus vero sedébat foris in átrio: et accéssit ad eum una ancílla, dicens: [S.] Et tu cum Jesu Galilæo eras. [C.] At ille negávit coram ómnibus, dicens: [S.] Néscio quid dicis. [C.] Exeúnte autem illo jánuam, vidit eum ália ancílla, et ait his, qui erant ibi: [S.] Et hic erat cum Jesu Nazaréno. [C.] Et íterum negávit cum juraménto: Quia non novi hóminem. Et post pusíllum accessérunt qui stabant, et dixérunt Petro: [S.] Vere et tu ex illis es: nam et loquéla tua maniféstum te facit. [C.] Tunc cæpit detestári et juráre quia non novísset hóminem. Et contínuo gallus cantávit. Et recordátus est Petrus verbi Jesu, quod díxerat: Priúsquam gallus cantet, ter me negábis. Et egréssus foras, flevit amáre. Mane autem facto, consílium iniérunt omnes príncipes sacerdótum et senióres pópuli advérsus Jesum, ut eum morti tráderent. Et vinctum adduxérunt eum, et tradidérunt Póntio Piláto præsidi. Tunc videns Judas, qui eum trádidit, quod damnátus esset, pæniténtia ductus, rétulit trigínta argénteos princípibus sacerdótum, et senióribus, dicens: [S.] Peccávi, tradens sánguinem justum. [C.] At illi dixérunt: [S.] Quid ad nos? Tu víderis. [C.] Et projéctis argénteis in templo, recéssit: et ábiens, láqueo, se suspéndit. Príncipes autem sacerdótum, accéptis argénteis, dixérunt: [S.] Non licet eos míttere in córbonam: quia prétium sánguinis est. [C.] Consílio autem ínito, emérunt ex illis agrum fíguli, in sepultúram, peregrinórum. Propter hoc vocátus est ager ille, Hacéldama, hoc est, ager sánguinis, usque in hodiérnum diem. Tunc implétum est quod dictum est per Jeremíam prophétam, dicéntem: Et accepérunt trigínta argénteos prétium appretiáti, quem appretiavérunt a fíliis Israel: et dedérunt eos in agrum fíguli, sicut constítuit mihi Dóminus. Jesus autem stetit ante præsidem, et interrogávit eum præses, dicens: [S.] Tu es Rex Judæórum? [C.] Dicit illi Jesus: [+] Tu dicis. [C.] Et cum accusarétur a princípibus sacerdótum et senióribus, nihil respóndit. Tunc dicit illi Pilátus: [S.] Non audis quanta advérsum te dicunt testimónia? [C.] Et non respóndit ei ad ullum verbum, ita ut mirarétur præses veheménter. Per diem autem solémnem consuéverat præses pópulo dimíttere unum vinctum, quem voluíssent: habébat autem tunc vinctum insígnem, qui dicebátur Barábbas. Congregátis ergo illis, dixit Pilátus: [S.] Quem vultis dimíttam vobis: Barábbam, an Jesum, qui dícitur Christus? [C.] Sciébat enim quod per invídiam tradidíssent eum. Sedénte autem illo pro tribunáli, misit ad eum uxor eius, dicens: [S.] Nihil tibi, et justo illi: multa enim passa sunt hódie per visum propter eum.[C.] Príncipes autem sacerdótum et senióres persuasérunt pópulis ut péterent Barábbam, Jesum vero pérderent. Respóndens autem præses, ait illis: [S.] Quem vultis vobis de duóbus dimítti? [C.] At illi dixérunt: [S.] Barábbam. [C.] Dicit illis Pilátus: [S.] Quid ígitur fáciam de Jesu, qui dícitur Christus? [C.] Dicunt omnes: [S.] Crucifigátur. [C.] Ait illis Præses: [S.] Quid enim mali fecit? [C.] At illi Magis clamábant dicéntes: [S.] Crucifigátur. [C.] Videns autem Pilátus quia nihil profíceret, sed magis tumúltus fíeret: accépta aqua, lavit manus coram pópulo, dicens: [S.] Innocens ego sum a sánguine justi hujus: vos vidéritis. [C.] Et respóndens univérsus pópulus, dixit: [S.] Sanguis ejus super nos, et super fílios nostros. [C.] Tunc dimísit illis Barábbam: Jesum autem flagellátum trádidit eis ut crucifigerétur. Tunc mílites præsidis suscipiéntes Jesum in prætórium, congregavérunt ad eum univérsam cohórtem, et exuéntes eum, chlámydem coccíneam circumdedérunt ei, et plecténtes corónam de spinis, posuérunt super caput eius, et arúndinem in déxtera eius. Et genu flexo ante eum, illudébant ei, dicéntes: [S.] Ave Rex Judæórum. [C.] Et expuéntes in eum, accepérunt arúndinem, et percutiébant caput ejus. Et postquam illusérunt ei, exuérunt eum chlámyde, et induérunt eum vestiméntis ejus, et duxérunt eum ut crucifígerent. Exeúntes autem invenérunt hóminem Cyrenæum, nómine Simónem: hunc angariavérunt ut tólleret crucem ejus. Et venérunt in locum qui dícitur Gólgotha, quod est Calváriæ locus. Et dedérunt ei vinum bíbere cum felle mixtum. Et cum gustásset, nóluit bíbere. Postquam autem crucifixérunt eum, divisérunt vestiménta eius, sortem mitténtes: ut implerétur quod dictum est per prophétam dicéntem: Divisérunt sibi vestiménta mea, et super vestem meam misérunt sortem. Et sedéntes, servábant eum. Et imposuérunt super caput eius causam ipsíus scriptam: Hic est Jesus Rex Judæórum. Tunc crucifíxi sunt cum eo duo latrónes: unus a dextris, et unus a sinístris. Prætereúntes autem blasphemábant eum movéntes cápita sua, et dicéntes: [S.] Vah qui déstruis templum Dei, et in tríduo illud reædíficas: salva temetípsum: si Fílius Dei es, descénde de cruce. [C.] Simíliter et príncipes sacerdótum illudéntes cum scribis et senióribus dicébant: [S.] Alios salvos fecit, seípsum non potest salvunt facere: si Rex Israel est, descéndat nunc de cruce, et crédimus ei: confídit in Deo: líberet nunc, si vult eum: dixit enim: Quia Fílius Dei sum. [C.] Idípsum autem et latrónes, qui crucifíxi erant eum co, improperábant ei. A sexta autem hora ténebræ factæ sunt super univérsam terram usque ad horam nonam. Et circa horam nonam clamávit Jesus voce magna, dicens: [+] Eli, Eli, lamma sabactháni? [C.] Hoc est: [+] Deus meus, Deus meus, ut quid dereliquísti me? [C.] Quidam autem illic stantes, et audiéntes, dicébant: [S.] Elíam vocat iste. [C.] Et contínuo, currens unus ex eis, accéptam spóngiam implévit acéto, et impósuit arúndini, et dabat ei bíbere. Cæteri vero dicébant: [S.] Sine, videámus an véniat Elías líberans eum [C.] Jesus autem íterum clamans voce, magna, emísit spíritum. [Hic genuflectitur, et pausatur aliquantulum.] Et ecce velum templi scissum est in duas partes a summo, usque deórsum: et terra mota est, et petræ scissæ sunt, et monuménta apérta sunt: et multa córpora sanctórum, qui dormíerant, surrexérunt. Et exeúntes de monuméntis post resurrectiónem ejus, venérunt in sanctam civitátem, et apparuérunt multis. Centúrio autem, et qui cum eo erant, custodiéntes Jesum, viso terræmótu, et his, quæ fiébant, timuérunt valde, dicéntes: [S.] [C.] Erant autem ibi mulíeres multæ a longe, quæ secútæ erant Jesum a Galilæa, ministrántes ei: inter quas erat María Magdaléne, et María Jacóbi, et Joseph mater, et mater filiórum Zebedæi. Cum autem sero factum esset, venit quidam homo dives ab Arimathæa, nómine Joseph, qui et ipse discípulus erat Jesu: hic accéssit ad Pilátum, et pédit corpus Jesu. Tunc Pilátus jussit reddi corpus. Et accépto córpore, Joseph invólvit illud in síndone munda. Et pósuit illud in monuménto suo novo, quod excíderat in petra. Et advólvit saxum magnum ad óstium monuménti, et ábiit.

† The Gospel recorded by Blessed Apostle Saint Matthew † A t that time Jesus came with His disciples to a country place called Gethsemani, and He said to His disciples, [+] "Sit down here, while I go over yonder and pray." [C.] And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be saddened and exceedingly troubled. Then He said to them, [+] "My soul is sad, even unto death. Wait here and watch with Me." [C.] And going forward a little, He fell on His face, and prayed, saying, [+] "Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from Me; yet not as I will, but as Thou willest." [C.] Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And He said to Peter, [+] "Could you not then watch one hour with Me? Watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." [C.] Again a second time He went away and prayed, saying, [+] "My Father, if this cup cannot pass away unless I drink it, Thy will be done." [C.] And He came again and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. And leaving them He went back again, and prayed a third time, saying the same words over. Then He came to His disciples, and said to them, [+] "Sleep on now, and take your rest. Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man will be betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us go. Behold, he who betrays Me is at hand." [C.] And while He was yet speaking, behold Judas, one of the Twelve, came and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, [S.] "Whomever I kiss, that is He; lay hold of Him." [C.] And he went straight up to Jesus and said, [S.] "Hail, Rabbi!" [C.] and kissed Him. And Jesus said to him, [+] "Friend, for what purpose hast thou come?" [C.] Then they came forward and set hands on Jesus and took Him. And behold, one of those who was with Jesus, stretching forth his hand, drew his sword, and striking the servant of the high priest, cut off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, [+] "Put back thy sword into its place; for all those who take the sword will perish by the sword. Or dost thou suppose that I cannot entreat My Father, and He will even now furnish Me with more than twelve legions of angels? How then are the Scriptures to be fulfilled, that thus it must happen?" [C.] In that hour Jesus said to the crowds, [+] "As against a robber you have come out, with swords and clubs to seize Me. I sat daily with you in the temple teaching, and you did not lay hands on Me." [C.] Now all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples left Him and fled. Now those who had taken Jesus led Him away to Caiphas the high priest, where the Scribes and the elders had gathered together. But Peter was following Him at a distance, even to the courtyard of the high priest, and he went in and sat with the attendants to see the end. Now the chief priests and all the Sanhedrin were seeking false witness against Jesus, that they might put Him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. But last of all there came forward two false witnesses, and they said, [S.] "This man said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it after three days.'" [C.] Then the high priest, standing up, said to Him, [S.] "Dost Thou make no answer to the things that these men prefer against Thee?" [C.] But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, [S.] "I adjure Thee by the living God that Thou tell us whether Thou art the Christ, the Son of God." [C.] Jesus said to him, [+] "Thou hast said it. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power of God and coming upon the clouds of heaven." [C.] Then the high priest tore his garments, saying, [S.] "He has blasphemed; what further need have we of witnesses? Behold, now you have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?" [C.] And they answered and said, [S.] "He is liable to death." [C.] Then they spat in His face and buffeted Him; while others struck His face with the palms of their hands, saying, [S.] "Prophesy to us, O Christ! who is it that struck Thee?" [C.] Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard; and a maidservant came up to him and said, [S.] "Thou also wast with Jesus the Galilean." [C.] But he denied before them all, saying, [S.] "I do not know what thou art saying." [C.] And when he had gone out to the gateway, another maid saw him, and said to those who were there, [S.] "This man also was with Jesus of Nazareth." [C.] And again he denied with an oath, "I do not know the Man!" And after a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, [S.] "Surely thou also art one of them, for even thy speech betrays thee." [C.] Then he began to curse and to swear that he did not know the Man. And at that moment the cock crowed. And Peter remembered the word that Jesus had said, "Before the cock crows, thou wilt deny Me thrice." And he went out and wept bitterly. Now when morning came all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel together against Jesus in order to put Him to death. And they bound Him and led Him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the procurator. Then Judas, who betrayed Him, when he saw that He was condemned, repented and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, saying, [S.] "I have sinned in betraying innocent blood." [C.] But they said, [S.] "What is that to us? See to it thyself." [C.] And he flung the pieces of silver into the temple, and withdrew; and went away and hanged himself with a halter. And the chief priests took the pieces of silver, and said, [S.] "It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, seeing that it is the price of blood." [C.] And after they had consulted together, they bought with them the potter's field, as a burial place for strangers. For this reason that field has been called even to this day, Haceldama, that is, the Field of Blood. Then was fulfilled what was spoken through Jeremias the prophet, saying, "And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of Him Who was prized, upon whom the children of Israel set a price; and they gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord directed me." Now Jesus stood before the procurator; and the procurator asked Him, saying, [S.] "Art Thou the King of the Jews?" [C.] Jesus said to him [+] "Thou sayest it." [C.] And when He was accused by the chief priests and the elders, He made no answer. Then Pilate said to Him, [S.] "Dost Thou not hear how many things they prefer against Thee?" [C.] But He did not answer him a single word, so that the procurator wondered exceedingly. Now at festival time the procurator used to release to the crowd a prisoner, whomever they would. Now he had at that time a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said, [S.] "Whom do you wish that I release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus Who is called Christ?" [C.] For he knew that they had delivered Him up out of envy. Now, as he was sitting on the judgment-seat, his wife sent to him, saying, [S.] "Have nothing to do with that Just Man, for I have suffered many things in a dream today because of Him." [C.] But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to destroy Jesus. But the procurator addressed them, and said to them, [S.] "Which of the two do you wish that I release to you?" [C.] And they said, [S.] "Barabbas." [C.] Pilate said to them, [S.] "What then am I to do with Jesus Who is called Christ?" [C.] They all said, [S.] "Let him be crucified!" [C.] The procurator said to them, [S.] "Why, what evil has He done?" [C.] But they kept crying out the more, saying, [S.] "Let Him be crucified!"[C.] Now Pilate, seeing that he was doing no good, but rather that a riot was breaking out, took water and washed his hands in sight of the crowd, saying, [S.] "I am innocent of the blood of this Just Man; see to it yourselves." [C.] And all the people answered and said, [S.] "His blood be on us and on our children." [C.] Then he released to them Barabbas; but Jesus he scourged and delivered to them to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the procurator took Jesus into the praetorium, and gathered together about Him the whole cohort. And they stripped Him and put on Him a scarlet cloak; and plaiting a crown of thorns, they put it upon His head, and a reed into His right hand; and bending the knee before Him they mocked Him, saying, [S.] "Hail, King of the Jews!" [C.] And they spat on Him, and took the reed and kept striking Him on the head. And when they had mocked Him, they took the cloak off Him and put on Him His own garments, and led Him away to crucify Him. Now as they went out, they found a man of Cyrene named Simon; him they forced to take up His cross. And they came to the place called Golgotha, that is, the Place of the Skull. And they gave Him wine to drink mixed with gall; but when He had tasted it, He would not drink. And after they had crucified Him, they divided His garments, casting lots, to fulfill that which was spoken through the prophets, saying, "They divided My garments among them, and upon My vesture they cast lots." And sitting down they kept watch over Him. And they put above His head the charge against Him, written This is Jesus, the King of the Jews. Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on His right hand and one on His left. Now the passers-by were jeering at Him, shaking their heads, and saying, [S.] "Thou Who destroyest the temple, and in three days buildest it up again, save Thyself! If Thou art the Son of God, come down from the cross!" [C.] In like manner, the chief priests with the Scribes and the elders, mocking, said, [S.] "He saved others, Himself He cannot save! If He is the King of Israel, let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe Him. He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now, if He wants Him; for He said, "I am the Son of God."' [C.] And the robbers also, who were crucified with Him, reproached Him in the same way. Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. But about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, [+] "Eli, Eli, lama sabacthani." [C.] That is, [+] "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" [C.] And some of the bystanders on hearing this said, [S.] "This man is calling Elias." [C.] And immediately one of them ran and, taking a sponge, soaked it in common wine, put it on a reed and offered it to Him to drink. But the rest said, [S.] "Wait, let us see whether Elias is coming to save Him." [C.] But Jesus again cried out with a loud voice, and gave up His spirit. [Here all kneel, and pause a little while.] And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were rent, and the tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep arose; and coming forth out of the tombs after His resurrection, they came into the holy city, and appeared to many. Now when the centurion, and those who were with him keeping guard over Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that were happening, they were very much afraid, and they said, [S.] "Truly He was the Son of God." [C.] And many women were there, looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him. Among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee. Now when it was evening, there came a certain rich man of Arimathea, Joseph by name, who also himself was a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered the body to be given up. And Joseph taking the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock. Then he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb, and departed.

Homily For Palm Sunday
Anno Domini 20 March 2005

by Father Louis J. Campbell
"Qui legit, intelligat"
"He who readeth, let him understand"

TheRefining Fire of Suffering

The Crucible of Affliction and Sorrow can transform us into golden vessels of Grace if we accept the torments in the spirit of God's Will for His greater honor and glory in reparation for sins against His Most Sacred and Merciful Heart and His Mother's Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart.

Blessed be the Holy Name of Jesus, now and for all eternity. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.

† Our object in life is to change from what we once were - sinners - to become holy and obedient servants of Jesus Christ. "For you were once darkness," says Blessed Apostle Saint Paul, "but now you are light in the Lord" ( Ephesians 5:8 ). The basic change is accomplished through Baptism, when we are "born again of water and the Spirit" ( Blessed Apostle Saint John 3:5 ), but spiritual maturity comes only through suffering. We are gradually transformed through suffering, if indeed we accept it in a Christ-like manner, so as to become saints. We see that even Our Savior grew in His human nature through suffering:

"And He, Son though He was, learned obedience from the things that He suffered; and when perfected, He became to all who obey Him the cause of eternal salvation, called by God a high priest according to the order of Melchisedech" ( Hebrews 5:8-10 ).

Holy Scripture speaks frequently of suffering. The patriarch Job, tried in the crucible of suffering, becomes a wise and humble man. David, through trial and persecution, is repentant and humbled before the Lord: "Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me. For I acknowledge my offense, and my sin is always before me…" ( Psalm 50:3-6 ).

The change sometimes comes through a traumatic event in one's life. This is why God allows disasters to overtake us, like personal trials and illnesses, or earthquakes, hurricanes and cosmic catastrophes, so that, shaken out of our complacency and our false sense of security, we might turn to Him and be changed.

The prophet Malachias speaks of God's refining fire and His judgment:

"And who shall be able to think of the day of His coming? And who shall stand to see Him? For he is like a refining fire and like the fuller's herb… And a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that fear the Lord and think on His name. And they shall be My special possession, saith the Lord of hosts, in the day that I do judgment: and I will spare them, as a man spareth his son that serveth him. And you shall return and shall see the difference between the just and the wicked: and between him that serveth God and him that serveth Him not. For behold the day shall come kindled as a furnace: and all the proud and all that do wickedly shall be stubble. And the day that cometh shall set them on fire, saith the Lord of hosts: it shall not leave them root, nor branch. But unto you that fear My name the Sun of justice shall arise, and health in his wings: and you shall go forth and shall leap like calves of the herd. And you shall tread down the wicked when they shall be ashes under the sole of your feet in the day that I do this, saith the Lord of hosts" ( Malachi 3:2;16-18;4:1-3 ).

The message is clear. Those who "fear the Lord and think on His name" will become His holy and obedient servants, cleansed of their sins and with no fear of judgment. Those who turn their thoughts towards sinful and worldly pleasures will be stubble, burnt to ashes on the day of the Lord's just judgment.

The worldly seek to escape suffering since they see no value in it. Better to end one's life than to suffer. Better to snuff out the life of the defective infant in its mother's womb. Better to deprive the handicapped and the weak of their sustenance, even if it takes the outrageous lie of declaring them in a vegetative state or a coma, when they are obviously very much alive and will suffer a slow and agonizing death, as will Terri Schiavo if she is not rescued. But she will one day tread underfoot the ashes of her tormentors when the Lord visits His judgment upon the earth. The Lord speaks through the prophet Isaiah:

"Behold the hand of the Lord is not shortened that it cannot save: neither is his ear heavy that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have divided between you and your God: and your sins have hid His face from you that He should not hear. For your hands are defiled with blood and your fingers with iniquity: your lips have spoken lies and your tongue uttereth iniquity. There is none that calleth upon justice, neither is there any one that judgeth truly: but they trust in a mere nothing and speak vanities. They have conceived labor and brought forth iniquity" (Isaias 59:1-4).

Change is only for the worse when we are under the spell of the world around us. What we must do is turn to "Jesus Christ and Him crucified" ( 1 Corinthians 2:2 ). If we contemplate the afflicted Christ as the saints did, we will become one of them. This is why the Church invites us to enter into the sacred mysteries of our salvation during Holy Week, so that we may follow the way to Calvary with Our Lord and stand with our Sorrowful Mother, the Queen of Martyrs, at the foot of the Cross, remembering the words of the prophet:

"Despised and the most abject of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with infirmity: and his look was as it were hidden and despised. Whereupon we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our infirmities and carried our sorrows: and we have thought him as it were a leper, and as one stuck by God and afflicted. But he was wounded for our iniquities: he was bruised for our sins. The chastisement of our peace was upon him: and by his bruises we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray, every one hath turned aside into his own way: and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all" ( Isaias 53:3-6 ).

By His grace may we learn obedience through our sufferings, praying with the saints:

My most beloved Jesus, I embrace all the tribulations Thou hast destined for me until death. I beseech Thee, by the merits of the pain Thou didst suffer in carrying Thy Cross, to give me the necessary help to carry mine with perfect patience and resignation. I love Thee, Jesus my love; I repent of having offended Thee. Never permit me to separate myself from Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt ( Saint Alphonsus Liguori ). †

Blessed be the Holy Name of Jesus, now and for all eternity. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.

OFFERTORIUM ~ OFFERTORY ¤ Psalm LXVIII:XXI-XXII ~ 68:21-22

Impropérium exspectávit cor meum, et misériam: et sustínui qui simul mecum contristarétur, et non fuit: consolántem me quæsívi, et non invéni: et dedérunt in escam meam fel, et in siti mea potavérunt me acéto

Naught else but shame and misery does My heart forbode. I look around for pity, where pity is none; for comfort, where there is no comfort to be found: they gave Me gall to eat, and when I was thirsty they gave Me vinegar to drink.

SECRETA ~ SECRET

Concéde, quæsumus, Dómine: ut óculos tuæ majestátis munus oblátum, et grátiam nobis devotiónis obtíneat, et efféctum beátæ perennitátis acquírat. Per Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, per ómnia sæcula sæculórum. Amen. Secret For The Blessed Virgin Mary In méntibus nóstris, quæsumus, Dómine, veræ fídei sacraménta confírma: ut, qui concéptum de Vírgine Deum verum et hóminem confitémur; per ejus salutíferæ resurrectiónis poténtiam, ad ætérnam mereámur perveníre lætítiam. Per eúmdem Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, Per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen. Secret Against the persecutors of Holy Mother Church Protegenos, Domine, tuis mysteriis servientes : ut, divinis rebus inhaerentes, et corpore tibi famulemur et mente, per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, Filium Tuum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, Per omnia saecula saeculorum. Secret For The Intercession Of The Saints Exaudi nos, Deus salutaris noster : ut per hujus sacramenti virtutem, a cunctis nos mentis et corporis hostibus tuearis; gratiam tribunes in praesenti, et gloriam in futuro. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, Per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen. Secret For The Living and the Dead Deus, Cui soli cogniuts est numerus electorum in superna felicitate locandus: tribue quaesumus; ut, intercedentibus omnibus Sanctis Tuis, universorum, quos in oratione commendatos suscepimus , et omnium fidelium nomina, beatae praedestinationis liber adscripta retineat. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, Per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen. Secret for God's Holy Church Prótege nos, Dómine, tuis mystériis serviéntes: ut divínis rebus inhæréntes, et córpore tibi famulémur et mente. Per Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, Per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

G rant, we pray Thee, Lord, that the gift we set before Thy majesty may obtain for us the grace of devotion, and ensure us an eternity of bliss. 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. Secret For The Blessed Virgin Mary May this victim, we beseech Thee, O Lord, cleanse away our sins, sanctifying Thy servants in both soul and body for the celebration of this sacrifice, through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, One God, forever and ever. Amen. Secret Against the persecutors of Holy Mother Church Protect us, O Lord, who assist at Thy mysteries ; that, fixed upon things divine we may serve Thee in both body and mind, through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, One God, forever and ever. Amen. Secret For The Intercession Of The Saints Graciously hear us, O God our Savior, and by the virtue of this sacrament protect us from all enemies of soul and body, bestowing on us both grace in this life and glory hereafter. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Secret For The Living and the Dead O Almighty and Eternal God, O God, Who alone knowest the number of the elect to be admitted to the happiness of Heaven, grant, we beseech Thee, that through the intercession of all Thy saints, the names of all who have been recommended to our prayers and of all the faithful, may be inscribed in the book of blessed predestination. Protect us, O Lord, who assist at Thy mysteries; that, fixed upon things divine we may serve Thee in both body and mind, through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost; One God; forever and ever, Amen. Secret For God's Holy Church Protect us, O Lord, who assist at Thy mysteries, that, cleaving to things divine, we may serve Thee both in body and in mind.

Preface Of The Holy Cross

Vere dignum et justum est, aequum et salutare, nos tibi semper, et ubique gratias agere: Domine sancte, Pater omnipotens, aeterne Deus. Qui salutem humani generic in lingo Cruces constituisti : ut, unde mors oriebatur, inde vita resurgeret : et Qui in lingo vincebat, in lingo quoque vinceretur, per Christum Dominum nostrum. Per Quem majestatem tuam laudant angeli, adorant Dominationes, tremunt Potestates. Coeli, coelorumque Virtutes, ac beata Seraphim social exsultatione concelebrant. Cum quibus et nostras voces, ut admitti jubeas, deprecamur, supplici convessione dicentes : SANCTUS, SANCTUS, SANCTUS...

It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father Almighty, everlasting God: Who didst establish the salvation of mankind on the tree of the Cross: that whence death came thence also life might arise again, and that he, Who overcame by the tree, by the tree also might be overcome: Through Christ our Lord. Through Whom the Angels praise Thy Majesty, the Dominations worship it, the Powers stand in awe. The Heavens and the Heavenly hosts together with the blessed Seraphim in triumphant chorus unite to celebrate it. Together with these we entreat Thee, that Thou mayest bid our voices also be admitted while we say with lowly praise : HOLY, HOLY, HOLY...

COMMUNIO ~ COMMUNION ¤ Matthæum XXVI:XLII ~ Matthew 26:42

	Pater, si non potest hic calix transíre nisi bibam illum, fiat volúntas tua.		Father, if this chalice may not pass me by, but I must drink it, then Thy will be done.
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POSTCOMMUNIO ~ POSTCOMMUNION

Pr hujus, Dómine, operatiónem mystérii, et vítia nostra purgéntur, et justa desidéria compleántur, per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum. Qui vivis et regnas in cum Deo Patri in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, unum Deum. Postcommunion For The Blessed Virgin Mary Quos tantis, Dómine, largíris, uti mystériis; quæsumus ut efféctibus nos eórum veráciter aptáre dignéris. Per eúmdem Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spíritus Sancti, Deus. Per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen. Postcommunion For The Intercession Of The Saints Mundet et múniat nos quáesumus Dómine dívini sacraménti munus oblátum: et intercedénte beáta Vírgine Dei Genitríce María, cum beáto Joseph, beátis Apóstolis tuis Petro et Paulo, et ómnibus Sanctis; a cunctis nos reddat et pervérsitátibus expiátos, et advérsitátibus expedítos. Per eúmdem Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum Fiiium tuum: Qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spíritus Sancti, Deus. Per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen. Postcommunion For The Living and the Dead Purificent nos, quaesumus, Omnipotens et misericors Deus, sacramenta quae sumpsimus : et, intercedentibus omnibus Sanctis tuis, praesta; ut hoc tuum sacramentum non sit nois reatus ad poenam, sed intercession salutaris ad veniam : sit ablution scelerum, sit fortitude fragilium sit contra omnia mundi pericula firmamentum ; sit vivorum atque mortuorum fidelium remissio omnium delictorum. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, Per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen. Postcommunion for God's Holy Church Quæsumus, Dómine Deus noster, ut quos divína tribuis participatióne gaudére, humánis non sinas subjacére perículis. Per Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum Fiiium tuum: Qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spíritus Sancti, Deus, Per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

By the working of this sacrament, Lord, may our sins be purged away, and our just desires fulfilled, through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God. For ever and ever. Amen Postcommunion For The Blessed Virgin Mary Merciful God, who ceasest not to lavish upon us the riches of Thy sacraments; grant that we may ever draw near to Thine Altar with deepest reverence and with faith unwavering, through the Lord. Postcommunion For The Intercession Of The Saints Graciously hear us, O God our Savior, and, by virtue of this Sacrament, defend us from all enemies of soul and body, bestowing upon us Thy grace here and Thy glory hereafter. Postcommunion For The Living and the Dead May the sacraments which we have received purify us, we beseech Thee, O almighty and merciful Lord; and through the intercession of all Thy saints, grant that this Thy sacrament may not be unto us a condemnation, but a salutary intercession for pardon; may it be the washing away of sin, the strength of the weak, a protection against all dangers of the world, and a remission of all the sins of the faithful, whether living or dead, through the Lord. Postcommunion for God's Holy Church Protect us, O Lord, who assist at Thy mysteries, that, cleaving to things divine, we may serve Thee both in body and in mind.

PRAYER OVER THE MANY

Inclinantes se, Domine, majestati Tuaee, propitiatus intende; ut, Qui divino munere sunt refecti, caelestibus semper nutriantur auxiliis, per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum.

Look down, O Lord, in Thy mercy, upon those who bow before Thy majesty; that they who are refreshed by Thy divine gift may ever be sustained by heavenly aid, through our Lord Jesus Christ.

THE BLESSING

V. Sit Nomen Domini benedictum. R. Ex hoc nunc, et usque in saeculum. V. U Adjutorium nostrum in Nomine Domini. R. Qui fecit colum et terram. V. Benedicat vos, Omnipotens Deus: V. Pater, et Filius, et Spiritus Sanctus, descendat super vos, et maneat semper. R. Amen.

V. Blessed be the Name of the Lord. R. Now and for ever more. V. U Our help is in the Name of the Lord. R. Who made Heaven and earth. V. May Almighty God bless thee: V. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, descend upon thee, and always remain with thee. R. Amen.

† - Holy Queen of Heaven and Earth, pray for us. - †

[Robert Drobot]

Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us. God the Holy Spirit, Have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us. Blood of Christ, only-begotten Son of the Eternal Father, Save us. Blood of Christ, Incarnate Word of God, Save us. Blood of Christ, of the New and Eternal Testament, Save us. Blood of Christ, falling upon the earth in the Agony, Save us. Blood of Christ, shed profusely in the Scourging, Save us. Blood of Christ, flowing forth in the Crowning with Thorns, Save us. Blood of Christ, poured out on the Cross, Save us. Blood of Christ, Price of our salvation, Save us. Blood of Christ, without which there is no forgiveness, Save us. Blood of Christ, Eucharistic drink and refreshment of souls, Save us. Blood of Christ, river of mercy, Save us. Blood of Christ, Victor over demons, Save us. Blood of Christ, Courage of martyrs, Save us. Blood of Christ, Strength of confessors, Save us. Blood of Christ, bringing forth virgins, Save us. Blood of Christ, Help of those in peril, Save us. Blood of Christ, Relief of the burdened, Save us. Blood of Christ, Solace in sorrow, Save us. Blood of Christ, Hope of the penitent, Save us. Blood of Christ, Consolation of the dying, Save us. Blood of Christ, Peace and Tenderness of hearts, Save us. Blood of Christ, Pledge of Eternal Life, Save us. Blood of Christ, freeing souls from Purgatory, Save us. Blood of Christ, most worthy of all glory and honor, Save us. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us. Thou hast redeemed us, O Lord, in Thy Blood, And made of us a kingdom for our God. Let Us Pray: Almighty and Eternal God, Thou hast appointed Thine only-begotten Son the Redeemer of the world, and willed to be appeased by His Blood. Grant, we beseech Thee, that we may worthily adore This Sacrifice for our salvation, and through Its Power be safeguarded from the evils of this present life, so that we may rejoice in its fruits forever in Heaven. Through the will of the Most Holy Trinity. Amen. Source: Treasury of Novenas, Father Lawrence G. Lovesick

[Robert Drobot]

Prayer for His Universal Church Pray for those who have been wandering and wondering in the conciliar desert for lo over 40 years. Pray for the conversion of the Novus Ordo hierarchy from the highest to the lowest echelons of the clergy, who, in the same manner as the Arian bishops, have apostatized from the True Church which Jesus Christ established on the Rock of Peter. Pray that they will wake from their devastating slumber, cast off their lukewarmness, and demand the unadulterated dogmatic Faith with no novelties, no ecumenism, no modernism, no anything but truly Catholic, embodied by true shepherds who will mandate the only possible Catholic worship - the true and continual sacrifice: the Traditional Latin Mass, set in stone for all time by Pope Saint Pius V. O God, our refuge and our strength, smite those failing to lead Thy Holy Church, by and through the intercession of Saint Michael the Archangel; the Immaculate Virgin Mother Mary; Beloved Saint Joseph; Thy blessed apostles Peter and Paul; and all the saints. Hear our fervent prayers for more holy priests consecrated according to Thy will; Provide Your Church leadership with the courage to convert all heretics, pagans, false idolaters and false god worshipers, and especially non-Catholics who refuse to accept the One True Church founded by Your Son and our Redeemer, Christ Jesus; We pray for a sacred reformation of our Holy Mother Church - guided by the Apostolic Constitution drawn by His servant, Pope Pius XII, Sacramentum Ordinis. We pray for these intercessions through the mercy and grace of Your Son, our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus. Amen.

[Robert Drobot]

PRAYER FOR HOLY PRIESTS O my Jesus, I thank Thee, that Thou art truly, actually, and substantially, human and divine, present here in the mystery of the Sacrament of the Altar. Thou hast said, "Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you." See, Lord, I come and knock. I ask Thee: Send us holy priests! O my Jesus, Thou hast said: "Whatever you ask the Father in MY Name, it shall be granted you." See, Lord, in Thy Name I ask Thy Father the grace: Send us holy priests! O my Jesus, Thou hast said: "Heaven and earth shall pass away but My Word shall not pass away." See, Lord, in trust of the infallibility of Thy Word, I ask Thee: Send us holy priests! Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in Thee! Please bless Thy priests! Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, it is not possible for Thee to have no sympathy for us wretches. Have mercy on us sinners, and grant us through the threefold full of grace, beautiful, and Immaculate Heart of Mary, Thy Mother and ours, the grace to which we pray to Thee. Amen. O Mary, Queen of the clergy, pray for us: obtain for us many holy priests. It grieves us that the omniscience of God hath viewed a diabolic mix of naivete and malice tainting the holy priesthood of thy Son, with the errors of Russia flowing as a wave into the well of life, Holy Mother Church. Still worse, many more of thy priestly sons suffer desperately for the Faith, at the hands of men seduced by eirenism and modernism; and that same episcopacy has lost vast portions of humanity, by their sins of commission and omission, to a sea of sin, materialism, secularism and unbelief; with us no longer acting as the light of the world in the Mystical Body of Christ, but as servants to the Prince of this world. His effect is subtle and almost imperceptible at times, Mary most holy, as even the faithful fail to battle him, cooperate by indifference or complacency, or mournfully succumb to his wicked seductions. We weep tears of compunction, fear and pain for these wayward souls, as they fall deeper into the abyss; but we also weep for ourselves as we too often fail to uphold the Gospel. Again, we beseech thee, to send forth thy legions to protect us from Satan's veil of death, and lead the Church out of darkness into the light of Faith. O Lord, grant unto Thy Church saintly priests and fervent religious. Send forth, O Lord, laborers into Thy harvest. O Lord, grant us priests! O Lord, grant us holy priests! O Lord, grant us many holy priests! O Lord, grant us many holy religious vocations! Pope Saint Pius X, pray for us.

[Robert Drobot]

Prayer for Conciliarism Heretics and Schismatics

Orémus et pro hæréticis et schismáticis: ut Deus et Dóminus noster éruat eos ab erróribus univérsis; et ad sanctam matrem Ecclésiam Cathólicam, atque Apostólicam revocáre dignétur. Omnípotens sempitérne Deus, qui salvas omnes, et néminem vis períre réspice ad ánimas diabólica fraude decéptas; ut omni hærética pravitáte depósita, errántium corda resipíscant, et ad veritátis tuæ rédeant unitátem. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

Let us pray for heretics and schismatics, that our Lord and God may deliver them from all their errors, and vouchsafe to recall them to their holy Mother, the Catholic and Apostolic Church. Almighty, eternal God, Who dost save all, and willest not that any should perish, look upon the souls deceived by diabolical fraud, that, abandoning all heretical depravity, the hearts of the erring may regain sanity and return to the unity of truth. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

Heresy has raised its ugly head in every age, requiring the continuing vigilance of the successors of Blessed Apostle Saint Peter to protect the deposit of faith. The popes themselves, since early times, as is evidenced by the oath taken by Pope Saint Agatho in 681 AD, have sworn to uphold the received Tradition, that is, until the oath was refused by the last two conciliar popes. The oath, which reads like an expanded version of the words of Blessed Apostle Saint Paul quoted above:

"I vow to change nothing of the received Tradition, and nothing thereof I have found before me guarded by my God-pleasing predecessors, to encroach upon, to alter, or to permit any innovation therein;

"To the contrary: with glowing affection as her truly faithful student and successor, to safeguard reverently the passed-on good, with my whole strength and utmost effort;

"To cleanse all that is in contradiction to the canonical order, should such appear;

"To guard the Holy Canons and Decrees of our Popes as if they were the Divine ordinances of Heaven, because I am conscious of Thee, whose place I take through the Grace of God, whose Vicarship I possess with Thy support, being subject to the severest accounting before Thy Divine Tribunal over all that I shall confess;

"I swear to God Almighty and the Savior Jesus Christ that I will keep whatever has been revealed through Christ and His Successors and whatever the first councils and my predecessors have defined and declared.

"I will keep without sacrifice to itself the discipline and the rite of the Church. I will put outside the Church whoever dares to go against this oath, may it be somebody else or I.

"If I should undertake to act in anything of contrary sense, or should permit that it will be executed, Thou willst not be merciful to me on the dreadful Day of Divine Justice.

"Accordingly, without exclusion, We subject to severest excommunication anyone -- be it ourselves or be it another -- who would dare to undertake anything new in contradiction to this constituted evangelic Tradition and the purity of the Orthodox Faith and the Christian Religion, or would seek to change anything by his opposing efforts, or would agree with those who undertake such a blasphemous venture. ( Liber Diurnus Romanorum Pontificum, Patrologia Latina 1005, S. 54 ).

[Robert Drobot]

FAITHFUL CHINESE MARTYRS FOR JESUS CHRIST Prayerfully dedicated to the courageous and loyal Faithful of China, where Holy Mother Church has been sustained on the sacrifice, arrest, torture, imprisonment and blood of Holy Martyrs. Α ☧ Ω Examples of communist pressure : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H77pZGzUUZI&NR=1 And : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NobN0HfmouU&NR=1

[Robert Drobot]

FAITHFUL KOREAN MARTYRS FOR CHRIST JESUS Prayerfully dedicated to the Holy Faithful who through their personal commitment to our Savior Jesus Christ gave to Him their lives rather than reject His Most Holy Mother Church Sustained in Korea on the sacrifice, arrest, torture, imprisonment and murder of these Holy Faithful Saint Agatha Chon Kyonghyob Saint Agatha Kim Saint Agatha Kwon Chini Saint Agatha Yi Kannan Saint Agatha Yi Kyong-i Saint Agatha Yi Sosa Saint Agatha Yi Saint Agnes Kim Hyoju Alex U Seyong Saint Andrew-Chong Kwagyong Saint Andrew Kim Taegon Saint Anna Kim Saint Anna Pak A-gi Saint Anna Pak Agi Saint Anthony Daveluy Saint Anthony Kim Son-u Saint Augustine Pak Chong-won Saint Augustine Yi Chin-gil Saint Augustine Yi Kwang-hon Saint Barbara Ch’oe Yong-i Saint Barbara Cho Chung-i Saint Barbara Han Agi Saint Barbara Kim Saint Barbara Ko Suni Saint Barbara Kwon Hui Saint Barbara Yi Chong-hui Saint Barbara Yi Saint Bartholomew Chong Munho Saint Benedicta Hyon Kyongnyon Saint Candida Saint Catherine Chong Ch’oryom Saint Catherine Yi Saint Cecilia Yu Saint Charles Cho Shin-ch’ol Saint Charles Hyon Songmun Saint Columba Kim Hyo-im Saint Columba Kim Saint Damianus Nam Myong-hyog Saint Damien Nam Myong-hyok Saint Dionysius Saint Elisabeth Chong Chong-hye Saint Evilasius Saint Fausta Saint Francis Ch’oe Hyong-hwan Saint Ignatius Kim Chejun Saint Jacob Chastan Saint John Baptist Chong Chang-un Saint John Baptist Nam Chongsam Saint John Baptist Yi Kwangnyol Saint John Nam Chong-sam Saint John Pak Saint John Yi Kwong-hai Saint John Yi Munu Saint John Yi Yunil Saint Joseph Chang Chugi Saint Joseph Chang Songjib Saint Joseph Cho Yunho Saint Joseph Im Ch’ibaeg Saint Joseph Peter Han Wonso Saint Juliet Kim Saint Justin de Bretenières Saint Lawrence Han Ihyong Saint Lucia Kim Saint Lucia Park Huisun Saint Ludovicus Beaulieu Saint Luke Hwang Soktu Saint Magalena Ho Kye-im Saint Magdalene Cho Saint Magdalene Han Yong-i Saint Magdalene Kim Obi Saint Magdalene Pak Pongson Saint Magdalene Son Sobyog Saint Magdalene Yi Yong-hui Saint Magdalene Yi Yongdog Saint Maria Park K’unagi Saint Maria Won Kwi-im Saint Maria Yi Indog Saint Maria Yi Yonhui Saint Mark Chong Uibae Saint Martha Kim Saint Martin Luke Huin Saint Mary Yi Yon-hui Saint Paul Ho Saint Paul Chong Hasang Saint Paul Hong Yongju Saint Perpetua Hong Kumju Saint Peter Aumaitre Saint Peter Ch’oe Ch’ang-hub Saint Peter Ch’oe Hyong Saint Peter Cho Kwaso Saint Peter Chong Wonji Saint Peter Henricus Dorie Saint Peter Hong Pyongju Saint Peter Kwon Tugin Saint Peter Maubant Saint Peter Nam Kyongmun Saint Peter Ryau Saint Peter Son Sonji Saint Peter Y Taech’ol Saint Peter Yi Hoyong Saint Peter Yi Myongs Saint Peter Yu Chongyul Saint Peter Yu Tae-Chol Saint Philippa Saint Protasius Chong Kurbo Saint Rosa Kim Saint Sebastian Nam Saint Simon Berneux Saint Stephen Min Kukka Saint Susanna U Surim Saint Teresa Kim Imi Saint Teresa Kim Saint Teresa Yi Mae-im Saint Theodore Saint Thomas Johnson Saint Thomas Son Chason Saint Vincent Madelgarus Α ☧ Ω

[Robert Drobot]

FAITHFUL
VIETNAMESE MARTYRS FOR
CHRIST JESUS

Prayerfully dedicated to the courageous, loyal and persecuted
Faithful of Vietnam,
where
Holy Mother Church
has been sustained
on the sacrifice, arrest, torture, imprisonment and
murder of
Holy Martyrs.

A Litany of the Martyrs of Vietnam

Lord, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.   God the father of heaven; God the son, redeemer of the world; God the Holy Spirit; Holy Trinity, one God;   Holy Mary; Queen of martyrs; Queen of all saints;

Christ, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Christ, graciously hear us.   Have mercy on us. Have mercy on us. Have mercy on us. Have mercy on us.   Pray for us. Pray for us. Pray for us. Pray for us.

Saint Matthew Alonso Leciniana, pray for us. ~ January 22, 1745
Saint Francis Gil de Federich, pray for us. ~ January 22, 1745
Saint Hyacinth Castaneda, pray for us. ~ November 7, 1773
Saint Vincent Le Quang Liem, pray for us. ~ November 7, 1773
Saint Emmanuel Nguyen Van Trieu, pray for us. ~ September 17, 1798
Saint John Dat, pray for us. ~ October 28, 1798
Saint Peter Le Tuy, pray for us. ~ October 11, 1833
Saint Francis Isidore Gagelin, pray for us. ~ October 17, 1833
Saint Paul Tong Viet Buong, pray for us. ~ October 23, 1833
Saint Andrew Tran Van Trong, pray for us. ~ November 28, 1835
Saint Joseph Marchand, pray for us. ~ November 30, 1835
Saint John Charles Cornay, pray for us. ~ September 20, 1837
Saint Francis Xavier Can, pray for us. ~ November 20, 1837
Saint Francis Do Van Chieu, pray for us. ~ June 25, 1838
Saint Dominic Henares, pray for us. ~ June 25, 1838
Saint Vincent Do Yen, pray for us. ~ June 30, 1838
Saint Joseph Nguyen Dinh Uyen, pray for us. ~ July 4, 1838
Saint Peter Nguyen Ba Tuan, pray for us. ~ July 15, 1838
Saint Clement Ignatius Delgado, pray for us. ~ July 21, 1838
Saint Joseph Fernandez, pray for us. ~ July 24, 1838
Saint Bernard Vu Van Due, pray for us. ~ August 1, 1838
Saint Dominic Nguyen Van Hanh, pray for us. ~ August 1, 1838
Saint Anthony Nguyen Dich, pray for us. ~ August 12, 1838
Saint Michael Nguyen Huy My, pray for us. ~ August 12, 1838
Saint James Do Mai Nam, pray for us. ~ August 12, 1838
Saint Joseph Dang Dinh Vien, pray for us. ~ August 21, 1838
Saint Joseph Hoang Luong Canh, pray for us. ~ September 5, 1838
Saint Peter Nguyen Van Tu, pray for us. ~ September 5, 1838
Saint Francis Jaccard, pray for us. ~ September 21, 1838
Saint Thomas Tran Van Thien, pray for us. ~ September 21, 1838
Saint Vincent Nguyen The Diem, pray for us. ~ November 24, 1838
Saint Peter Dumoulin Borie, pray for us. ~ November 24, 1838
Saint Peter Vo Dang Khoa, pray for us. ~ November 24, 1838
Saint Peter Truong Van Duong, pray for us. ~ December 18, 1838
Saint Paul Nguyen Van My, pray for us. ~ December 18, 1838
Saint Peter Vu Van Truat, pray for us. ~ December 18, 1838
Saint Dominic Vu Dinh Tuoc, pray for us. ~ April 2, 1839
Saint Augustine Phan Viet Huy, pray for us. ~ June 12, 1839
Saint Nicholas Bui Duc The, pray for us. ~ June 12, 1839
Saint Dominic Dinh Dat, pray for us. ~ July 18, 1839
Saint Thomas Dinh Viet Du, pray for us. ~ Nov. 26, 1839
Saint Dominic Nguyen Van Xuyen, pray for us. ~ Nov. 26, 1839
Saint Thomas Nguyen Van De, pray for us. ~ December 19, 1839
Saint Francis Xavier Ha Trong Mau, pray for us. ~ December 19, 1839
Saint Augustine Nguyen Van Moi, pray for us. ~ December 19, 1839
Saint Stephen Nguyen Van Vinh, pray for us. ~ December 19, 1839
Saint Dominic Bui Van Uy, pray for us. ~ December 19, 1839
Saint Andrew Tran An Dung Lac, pray for us. ~ December 21, 1839
Saint Peter Truong Van Ti, pray for us. ~ December 21, 1839
Saint Peter Nguyen Van Hieu, pray for us. ~ Apr. 28, 1840
Saint Paul Pham Khac Khoan, pray for us. ~ April 28, 1840
Saint John Baptist Dinh Van Thanh, pray for us. ~ April 28, 1840
Saint Joseph Do Quang Hien, pray for us. ~ May 9, 1840
Saint Luke Vu Ba Loan, pray for us. ~ June 5, 1840
Saint Thomas Toan, pray for us. ~ June 27, 1840
Saint Anthony Nguyen Huu Quynh, pray for us. ~ July 10, 1840
Saint Peter Nguyen Khac Tu, pray for us. ~ July 10, 1840
Saint Dominic Trach, pray for us. ~ September 18, 1840
Saint John Baptist Con, pray for us. ~ November 8, 1840
Saint Paul Nguyen Ngan, pray for us. ~ November 8, 1840
Saint Joseph Nguyen Dinh Nghi, pray for us. ~ November 8, 1840
Saint Martin Ta Duc Thinh, pray for us. ~ November 8, 1840
Saint Martin Tho, pray for us. ~ November 8, 1840
Saint Simon Phan Dac Hoa, pray for us. ~ December 12, 1840
Saint Agnes Le Thi Thanh, pray for us. ~ July 12, 1841
Saint Peter Khanh, pray for us. ~ July 12, 1842
Saint Matthew Le Van Gam, pray for us. ~ May 11, 1847
Saint Augustine Schoeffler, pray for us. ~ May 1, 1851
Saint John Louis Bonnard, pray for us. ~ May 1, 1852
Saint Philip Phan Van Minh, pray for us. ~ July 3, 1853
Saint Joseph Nguyen Van Luu, pray for us. ~ May 2, 1854
Saint Andrew Nguyen Kim Thong, pray for us. ~ July 15, 1855
Saint Lawrence Nguyen Van Huong, pray for us. ~ February 13, 1856
Saint Paul Le Bao Tinh, pray for us. ~ April 6, 1857
Saint Michael Ho Dinh Hy, pray for us. ~ May 22, 1857
Saint Peter Doan Van Van, pray for us. ~ May 25, 1857
Saint Joseph Mary Diaz Sanjurjo, pray for us. ~ July 20, 1857
Saint Melchior Garcia Sampedro, pray for us. ~ July 28, 1858
Saint Francis Tran Van Trung, pray for us. ~ October 6, 1858
Saint Dominic Ha Trong Mau, pray for us. ~ November 5, 1858
Saint Dominic Pham Trong Kham, pray for us. ~ January 13, 1859
Saint Luke Pham Trong Thin, pray for us. ~ January 13, 1859
Saint Joseph Pham Trong Ta, pray for us. ~ January 13, 1859
Saint Paul Le Van Loc, pray for us. ~ February 13, 1859
Saint Dominic Dinh Cam, pray for us. ~ March 11, 1859
Saint Paul Hanh, pray for us. ~ May 28, 1859
Saint Emmanuel Le Van Phung, pray for us. ~ July 31, 1859
Saint Peter Doan Cong Quy, pray for us. ~ July 31, 1859
Saint Thomas Khuong, pray for us. ~ January 30, 1860
Saint Joseph Le Dang Thi pray for us. ~ October 24, 1860
Saint Peter Francis Neron, pray for us. ~ Novemeber 3, 1860
Saint John Theophane Venard, pray for us. ~ February 2, 1861
Saint Peter Nguyen Van Luu, pray for us. ~ April 7, 1861
Saint Joseph Tuan, O.P., pray for us. ~ April 30, 1861
Saint John Doan Trinh Hoan, pray for us. ~ May 26, 1861
Saint Matthew Nguyen Van Phuong, pray for us. ~ May 28, 1861
Saint Peter Almato Ribera, pray for us. ~ November 1, 1861
Saint Valentine Berrio Ochoa, pray for us. ~ November 1, 1861
Saint Jerome Hermosilla, pray for us. ~ November 1, 1861
Saint Stephen Theodore Cuenot, pray for us. ~ November 14, 1861
Saint Joseph Nguyen Duy Khang, pray for us. ~ December 6, 1861
Saint Joseph Tuan, pray for us. ~ January 7, 1862
Saint Lawrence Ngon, pray for us. ~ May 22, 1862
Saint Joseph Tuc, pray for us. ~ June 1, 1862
Saint Dominic Ninh, pray for us. ~ June 2, 1862
Saint Paul Duong, pray for us. ~ June 3, 1862
Saint Dominic Huyen, pray for us. ~ June 5, 1862
Saint Dominic Toai, pray for us. ~ June 5, 1862
Saint Peter Dinh Van Dung, pray for us. ~ June 6, 1862
Saint Vincent Duong, pray for us. ~ June 6, 1862
Saint Peter Thuan, pray for us. ~ June 6, 1862
Saint Dominic Mao, pray for us. ~ June 16, 1862
Saint Dominic Nguyen, pray for us. ~ June 16, 1862
Saint Dominic Nhi, pray for us. ~ June 16, 1862
Saint Andrew Tuong, pray for us. ~ June 16, 1862
Saint Vincent Tuong, pray for us. ~ June 16, 1862
Saint Peter Da, pray for us. ~ June 17, 1862

All holy men and women, intercede for us.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world; Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world; Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world; Have mercy on us.

[Robert Drobot]

Dedicated To Orthodox Catholic Faithful of Kosovo and Metohia Below Is A List Of Consecrated Catholic Orthodox Churches, Cathedrals, Shrines Within The Serbian lands of Kosovo And Metohia Purposely Desecrated or Reduced to Ruble By Barbarian Albanian KLA Muslim Drug Cartel Fully Financed, Trained, and Supplied With Munitions, With U.S. Air Force Napalm and Bomber Support Unknowingly Provided By The American Taxpayers As Ordered By A Sexually Degenerate and His Gang Of War Criminals Vitina -- the Monastery of the Holy Archangels, 14th c., resolution number PZ1*-175/63, Buzovik (Binac) the Serb cemetery, a belfry and the woods; Letinica a statue of the Mother of God of Montenegro with Christ and a statue of St Roko, 17th c., r.n. PZ-245/68. Vucitrn -- the tower, 14th c., r.n.RZ-858/48 and Vojinovici Bridge, 14th c., r.n. RZ2*-859/49; Samodreza -- the Church of St Lazarus, 14th c., restored in 1932, r.n. PZ-381/64 and the Gradina church hill; Gojbulja -- remains of the church with the cemetery. 16th c., r.n. PZ-593/65. Gnjilane -- Kmetovce remains of the Holy Barbara monastery, 14th c., r.n. PZ-369/63, a hundred years old cemetery and centennial oak trees; Podgradje --fortified stronghold (Kaljaja), 14th c., r.n.PZ-251/56; Grncar --hillfort, 14th c., r.n. PZ-199/55; Trpeza -- hillfort, 14th c.,r.n. PZ-200/55. Decani -- the Monastery of Christ the Pantocrator, 14th c., r.n. RZ-426/47 and the hermitages of Decani: the hermitage of King Stafan Decanski and the hermitage of Belaje, 14th c., r.n. PZ-774/66, as well as the Locani hut, 14th c., r.n. PZ-273/58. Djakovica -- Srpska Street with the Church of the Dormition of the Virgin, 16th c., r.s. PZ-951/67. Zubin Potok -- the monastery with the Church of Our Lady in Duboki Potok, 14th-16th c., r.n. RZ-2300/48; the Church of St Nicholas in Crepulja, 16th c., r.n. RZ-2305/48; the Church of St Petka in Cecevo, 14th c., (restored in 20th c.), r.n. PZ-984/66; Brnjaci remains of the palace of Helen of Anjou, 14th c., r.n. PZ-967/66; Ilinica-Jabuka -- remains of old church grounds with the cemetery, 14th c., r.n. PZ-836/66. Istok -- the Monastery of Gorioc,14th c., r.n. PZ-160/58, the Church of St John in Crkolez, 14th --17th c., r.n. PZ-236/58 and church remains in the villages of Sinaje and Saljinovica; remains of the Monastery of the Holy Virgin, 13th c., r.n. PZ-370/63; Studenice Hvostanske above the villages of Studenica and Vrela near Pecka Banja; the Church of St Nicholas in Djurakovac, 14th --16th c., r.n. PZ-475/55 with an old cemetery and a centennial oak tree; Banja Rudnicka-the Rodop sarcophagus in the Church of St Nicholas, 14th c., r.n. PZ-259/58; Dobrusa-Vucar-remains of the church with the cemetery, 14th c., r.n.PZ-982/66; Crni Lug the old cemetery, 16th --19th c., r.n. PZ-960/64; Rudnik the Church of St George with the cemetery, 16th c., r.n. PZ-248/58. Klina -- the Monastery of the Holy Transfiguration in Budisavci, 14th --16th c, with a forest, cemetery, old church grounds, centennial oak trees and ancient tomb stones in the villages of Naglavci, Veliko Krusevo and Jagoda; Dobra voda, Petrovica church, 13th--14th c., r.n. PZ-245/58, the endowment of Peter of Korisa, with a hillfort and a church well; Dolac monastery -- the Church of the Presentation of the Holy Virgin, 14th-16th c., r.n. 241/58; Drsnik the Church of St Petka, 16th c., r.n. PZ-242/58; Kijevo -- the Church of St Nicholas, 16th c., r.n. PZ-238/58; Ljubizda -- remains of the church in the south-east part of the village, 14th 17th c., r.n. PZ-553/66; Mlecane -- the Church of St Nicholas, 16th c., r.n. PZ-250/58, Podgradje with the Church of the Holy Healer (St Demetrius), 16th c., and the Upper Church, 14th-16th c., r.n. PZ-249/58; Svrhe Volujacke -- church remains, 14th c., r.n. PZ-513/66; Sicevo -- the Church of St Nicholas, 16th c., r.n. PZ-246/58; Malisevo (Uljarice) -- the river Mirusa valley with lakes, waterfalls, and the hermitages of Uljarice, 13th-14th c., r.n. PZ-231/62, with a church; Cabici -- the Church of St Nicholas, 16th c., r.n. PZ-246/58. Kosovska Kamenica -- Ajnovce (Recane) remains of the monastery of Tamnica, 14th c., r.n. PZ-476/55, with towers and old cemeteries; Mocare remains of the Monastery of Ubozac (Rdjavac), 14th c., r.n. PZ-478/55; Vaganes, the Church of Our Lady, 14th c., r.n. PZ-474/55, with ancient oak trees and the cemetery; Berivojce -- the Church of St John, 14th-16th c., r.n. PZ-338/63. Lipljan -- the old Church of the Presentation of the Holy Virgin, 14th c., r.n. PZ-1737/49, with a konak (the old primary school), 19th c., r.n. PZ-818/56 and the Church of SS Florius and Lavra; Petrovo (Stimlje) church remains, 16th c., r.n. PZ-562/66; Racak near Stimlje -- the Church of the Holy Healers, 14th c., r.n. PZ-561/66; Slovinje the church of St John, 16th c., r.n. PZ-975/66 and the Church of St Nicholas, 16th c., r.n. PZ-54/67 as well as the Monastery of St George, 14th c., r.n. PZ-56/67. Novo brdo -- medieval town the fortress with remains of an ancient settlement on the fill, 14th c., r.n. RZ-266/48 and the church in the village of Bostanje. Orahovac -- Brnjaca-the church of an unknown saint, 14th c. (restored in 20th c., destroyed in 1941), r.n. PZ-557/65; Velika Hoca with 13 churches and konaks, vineyards and the winery; churches: of St John, 16th c., r.n. PZ-253/58, of St Lucas, 14th-16th c., r.n. PZ-169/67, of St Nicholas, 16th c., r.n. PZ-287/58, Zociste monastery with the Church of the Holy Healers, 14th-16th c., r.n. PZ-494/54, mineral spring, old grounds of the Church of St John; Opterusa the Church of St George, 15th c., r.n. PZ-558/66. Pec -- the Patriarchate of Pec, 13th c., r.n. RZ-428/47, with an old cemetery,16th-19th c., r.n. PZ-519/58 and the old "Sam-dud" tree (Murus Sp.), r.n. RZ-709/57, Rugova hermitages, 13th-14th c., r.n. PZ-988/66 and church remains in the village of Ljevosa; the Church of St Demetrius in "Metova livada" (Meto's meadow), 14th c., r.n. PZ-989/66; the Church of St George, 14th c., r.n. PZ-990/66; the Church of St Marko, 14th c., r.n. PZ-996/66; the Church of St Nicholas, 14th c., r.n. PZ-991/66; the old cemetery in "Savova livada" (Savo's meadow), 17th c., r.n. PZ-995/66; remains of the fortress of Idolac (Idvorac), 14th c., r.n. PZ-974/65; Duvarinje (Zdrelnik) wall remains of a well, r.n. PZ-992/66; Paskalica remains of Paskalija church, 13th c., r.n. PZ-520/66; Plavljane the old cemetery, 16th-18th c., r.n. PZ-976/66; Belo Polje the Church of Our Lady, 16th-18th c., r.n. PZ-954/64; Bucane the old Stojkovic cemetery, 18th c., r.n. PZ-57/67; Krusevo -- a tomb head-stone, 14th c.; a church, r.n. PZ-243/58; Radavac -- the Beli Drim spring, the Radevacka cave and remains of the Radev-grad (the city of Radev), r.n. PZ-987/66; Gorazdevac the Church hut of St Nicholas, 16th c., r.n. PZ-240/58 and the Church of Our Lady with an ancient cemetery and oak-trees. Podujevo -- Palatna remains of the church and the cemetery in an oak grove,14th c., r.n. PZ-596/65; Belasica --the town of Vrhlab, 13th-14th c., r.n. PZ-475/58. Prizren -- a medieval fortress Dusanov Grad (the city of Dusan) "Kaljaja", 14th c., r.n. RZ-1585/48; Podkaljaja the Church of the Holy Salvation, 14th c., r.n. RZ-1598/48; the Church of the Holy Healers, the Church of the Holy Sunday, the icon of the Holy Mother with Christ, 14th c r.n. RZ-1102/57, in the Church of St Nicholas (Rajkov); the Church of St Nicholas (Tutic), 14th c., r.n. PZ-2236/62; the Church of St George (Runovic), 16th c., r.n. PZ-956/64; the icon of the Holy Mother Pelagonitisa in the Cathedral Church of St George, 14th c., r.n. PZ-235/62; the Church of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary (the Church of the Young Prince Marko), 14th c., r.n. PZ-983/66; the Church of Our Lady of Ljeviska, 14th c., r.n. RZ-352/48 with remains of the Monarchs' chapels, Metropolitans' konaks and the old belfry; the stone bridge, 14th-15th c., r.n.PZ-2345/58; the Sahat-kula (clock-tower), 14th-16th c., r.n. PZ-994/66; Sredacka zupa with 16 sites of old church grounds and churches; the Church of Our Lady, 16th c., r.n. RZ-1574/50, the Church of St George, 16th c., r.n. PZ-510/56; Spinadije remains of a church with a cemetery, 16th c., r.n. PZ-470/63, the Korisa gorge with the villages of Kabas, Korisa and Ljubizda, the hermitages of St Peter of Korisa in the village of Kabas, 13th c., r.n. PZ-1573/50 and the Monastery of St Marko, 14th c., r.n. PZ-591/65; old church grounds in Luka mahala, 14th c., r. PZ-469/63, a cemetery church near the village school, 14th c., r.n. PZ-979/65; Korisa -- remains of the Church of SS Peter and Paul, 14th c., r.n. PZ-572/62; the Church of St George, 14th c., r.n. 468/63; the Church of St Nicholas, 14th c., r.n. PZ-467/63; the Church of the Our Immaculate Lady (the so called "Sisters of Peter of Korisa), 14th c., r.n. PZ-978/65; the Church of Our Lady near Vrela in Korisa, 16th c., r.n. PZ-955/64; hillfort remains, 13th c., r.n. PZ-975/65; Sukalje -- remains of the pyrgos (tower), 13th c., r.n. PZ-977/65; 13 churches and the sites of old church grounds in the villages of Gornja Srbica and Ljubizda: the Church of St Nicholas, 16th c., r.n. PZ-976/65; Korisa -- fortified stronghold-fortress above the villages of Korisa and Ljubizde, 13th c., r.n. PZ-975/65; Biljusa the Church of "Kaludjerski kamen" (the monk's rock), 16th c., r.n. PZ-837/67; Bogosevci the Church of St Nicholas, 16th c., r.n. PZ-119/56; Gornje selo the Church of St George, 16th c., r.n. PZ-252/58; Muzljak monastery remains, 14th c.,r.n. PZ-1092/64; Nasec church foundations, 14th c.,r.n. PZ-966/66; Novake the old konak, 19th c., r.n. PZ-761/56; the Prizrenska Bistrica gorge with remains of the Monastery of the Holy Archangels,14th c., r.n. PZ-352/48; the town of Visegrad with the church of St George,13th-14th c., r.n. RZ-1583/48; Dusan's Bridge in the gorge, 14th-15th c., r.n. PZ-1149/58; 40 wells ("Krk bunar"), the hermitage of St Nicholas, 14th c., r.n. PZ-772/66; nameless hermitages as well as Tsar Dusan's maple tree in Maras mahala at the entrance into the city of Prizren, r.n. PZ-01-569/59. Pristina -- the Church of St Nicholas and the iconostasis, 19th c., r.n. PZ-261/56 with the Metropolitanates building and the building of the first Serbian school, 19th c., r.n. PZ-385/61; the Byzantine Ulpijana; Gazimestan -- a monument to Kosovo heroes, r.n. PZ-375/50 and Kosovo peonies reserve (peonia decora), r.n. RZ-26/50. Gracanica -- the Monastery of the Annunciation, 14th c., r.n. RZ-427/47 and the town of Veletin, 14th c., r.n. PZ-694/66 with remains of Vojsilovice monastery, 14th c., r.n. PZ-198/67; churches in the villages of Saskovac, 14th c., r.n.PZ-691/66, and Susica on the slopes of mount Veletina; Gladnica -- the early Serbian necropolis at Badovac, r.n. PZ378/65; Orlane remains of the Church of Our Immaculate Lady of Braina, 14th c., r.n.PZ-521/66 and the Church of St Constantine and Helena, 16th c., r.n. PZ-9/8/66; Badovac (Novo Selo) remains of a cemetery church, 16th c., r.n. PZ-718/64; Balabane (Orlane) church remains, 16th c., r.n. PZ-977/66; Donja Fustica church remains, 14th --16th c., r.n. PZ-55/67. Srbica -- Lausa the Monastery of Devic, 14th-15th c., r.n. RZ-439/48 with the Gradina hill, monastic woods, orchard, the spring of St Joannicius and the river Devic; Belica the Church of St George, 14th --16th c., r.n. PZ-589/65; Leocina with the Church of St John, 14th c., r.n. PZ-589/65; the Church of the Holy Transfiguration, 14th th c., r.n. PZ-959/64, a carved cross, 14th-16th c., in the house of Zdravko Smigic, r.n. PZ-506/66. Suva reka -- Musutiste the Church of Our Lady, 14th c.,r.n. RZ-2112/48, the Monastery of the Holy Trinity, 14th --19th c., r.n. PZ-754/66; cave hermitages in Matoski brook, 13th-14th c., r.n. PZ-775/66 and Rusinica, 13th c., r.n. PZ-773/66; Recane the Church of St George, 14th c., r.n. RZ-837/53 with ancient oak trees and a cemetery; Popovljane the Church of St Nicholas, 16th c., r.n. RZ-1575/50; Pecane -- the Church of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary, 15th c., r.n. PZ-958/64. Kosovska Mitrovica -- the Monastery of St Stefan in Banjska, 14th c., r.n. RZ-159/47 with church remains in the small villages of: Jelici, Stevovici and Kozareva rijeka; Stari trg -- remains of the Old Saxon Church, 13th c., r.n. PZ-8/58; the town of Zvecan, 10th-13th c., r.n. RZ-373/47, with Mali Zvecan (Little Zvecan) on the right bank of the river Ibar and the Monastery of Sokolica (the Church of Our Lady) 14th c., r.n. RZ-2304/48, on the left river bank; Rasane Trepcanski grad (town of Trepca) 13th-14th c., r.n. PZ-267/67; Ceranska reka remains of the Church ''Mramor'' with a marble statue, 14th c.,r.n. PZ-897/64; Spilje (Ipilje) Kuline -- remains of the monastery with a cemetery,14th c., r.n. PZ-981/66. Urosevac -- Gornje and Donje Nerodimlje with the Monastery of the Holy Archangels, 14th c., r.n. PZ-502/66, Tsar Dusan's pine tree (Pinus heldreichii) r.n. RZ--01-327/61, the towns of Mali and Veliki Petric, 14th c., r.n. PZ-959/67, the Church of Tsar Uros and an icon collection, 16th c, r.n. PZ-595/65; the Church of St Nicholas in Gotovusa, 16th c., r.n. PZ-235/55; Nerodimlja -- remains of King Milutin's palace, 14th c., r.n. PZ-958/67; Svrcin (Sarajiste) remains of a summer house, 14th c., r.n. PZ-960/67; Sarenik (Sajkovac) -- the Monastery of St Uros, 14th-16th c., r.n. PZ-966/66. Strpce -- the Church of St Nicholas, 16th c., PZ-904/67; Cajlije -- the fortress above Brezovica, 13th c., r.n. PZ-957/67; Kacanik -- the fortress (Kaljaja), 16th c., r.n. PZ-979/66; Sirinicka zupa with 11 churches; Gornje Bitinje -- a stone slate, cemetery and the Church of St George,16th c., r.n. PZ-244/58; Donje Bitinje the Church of St Theodore Tyro, 16th c., r.n. PZ-251/58; Gora zupa which was converted into Islam, with 14 Christian churches left; Opolje with churches in 12 villages and many more old church grounds, churches, hillforts, hermitages etc. Notes: PZ -- abbreviation for the Kosovo County Heritage Institute ( Pokrajinski zavod za zastitu spomenika kulture ) RZ -- abbreviation for the Republic of Serbia Heritage Institute ( Republicki zavod za zastitu spomenika kulture )

[Robert Drobot]

Blessed Anna-Maria Taigi Blessed Anna-Marie Taigi prophesied a miraculous intervention in electing a true and lawful pope. "God will send two punishments: one will be in the form of wars, revolutions and other evils; it shall originate on earth. The other will be sent from Heaven. There shall come over the whole earth an intense darkness lasting three days and three nights. Nothing can be seen, and the air will be laden with pestilence which will claim mainly, but not only, the enemies of religion. It will be impossible to use any man-made lighting during this darkness, except *blessed candles. He, who out of curiosity, opens his window to look out, or leaves his home, will fall dead on the spot. During these three days, people should remain in their homes, pray the Rosary and beg God for mercy...All the enemies of the Church, whether known or unknown, will perish over the whole earth during that universal darkness, with the exception of a few whom God will soon convert. The air shall be infected by demons who will appear under all sorts of hideous forms." "After the three days of darkness, Saints Peter and Paul, having come down from Heaven, will preach throughout the world and designate a new Pope. A great light will flash from their bodies and will settle upon the cardinal, the future Pontiff. Then Christianity will spread throughout the world. Whole nations will join the Church shortly before the reign of Anti-Christ. These conversions will be amazing. Those who shall survive shall have to conduct themselves well. There shall be innumerable conversions of heretics, who will return to the bosom of the Church; all will note the edifying conduct of their lives, as well as that of all other Catholics. Russia, England, and China will come to the Church." ~~ Blessed Anna Maria Taigi Blessed Anna Maria Taigi's incorrupt mortal remains lie in the Chapel of the Madonna in the Basilica of San Crisogono in Rome, Italy. The Trinitarians are actively promoting the cause of her canonization. *Be sure to get your 100% Beeswax candles *blessed by a True Priest