Lex Orandi

A New Lent: Ash Wednesday

2011-03-09T15:47:00.002-05:00

Last year, I made up some words to the popular Christmas Tune "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year." The verses are as follows:

Grab your Bibles, walk Stations (but no flagellations which cause some to fear)! It's the most wonderful time of the year!
There'll be fasting and penance and Cap'n D's restaurants into which we'll steer! It's the most wonderful time of the Year!
"En Ego O Bone et Dulcissime Iesu" (in English) you'll hear! It's the Most wonderful time of the year!

Some will just think that I have an odd sense of humor. Others might think that I'm missing the point of the season, when much of the focus is upon repentance for our own sinfulness. I can never help feeling a certain joy as this season arrives, though. For one thing, there aren't all the annoying songs you hear at Christmas (though as you can tell, I'm not helping in that department). The height of commercialism seems to be extra advertising by Red Lobster and Long John Silver's. There's some merit to this, I suppose.

But the real cause for joy is that this is our time for pruning, Spring cleaning, and renewing our relationship with God (and also our neighbor). It's a time for extra discipline in this regard. For all that I blog about our tradition of prayer, I've never seen myself as particularly good at prayer (the blogging has in fact done some good in my own prayer life). The essence of Lent is not just on turning away from our sins, but replacing these particularly bad habits with good habits. As the word "Lent" means "Spring", I have always assumed this is what makes Lent our "Springtime".

So, suffice to say that I'm happy to get rid of some of the crap and work on a relationship that's pretty important. This means prayer, prayer, prayer. But in doing so, I've decided to focus especially on Lectio Divina. I have always been quite drawn to Sacred Scripture and the Early Church Fathers (since I was about 15, really). Nevertheless, so much of my pursuit of these topics was from a purely academic, historical approach. The spiritual or devotional or relational aspect has always been neglected in my life (the one outlet for this was perhaps during Mass and the Hours).

I find that this form of prayer ought to be an aid toward a greater dialogue with God, as it is perhaps the purest form of meditation in our tradition. I am certainly not a natural contemplative, and have always had great difficultly maintaining focus during the Rosary or Adoration. I hope that this use of the text will be an aid to this discipline of prayer.

Especially in light of the Apostolic Exhortation on the Word of God, Verbum Domini, I thought that it would be very appropriate to engage more fully in this form of prayer. I plan to engage in other activities, to be sure, but this will be the primary activity for the time. I wish you well as you embark on your own journeys. Godspeed to all as we prepare for the full joy of Easter.

Time to Pray for the Faithful Departed

2010-10-31T13:27:00.003-04:00

Of course, we should always pray for the faithful departed. Still, it is especially encouraged during the month of November, especially the beginning of the month.

There are a couple of ways to gain plenary indulgences for the dead during this week. These are listed in section 1 of no. 27 of the current Enchiridion:

"A plenary indulgence, applicable only to the souls in purgatory, is granted to the faithful who,

on any day and each day from November 1 to 8, devoutly visit a cemetery and pray, if only mentally, for the departed;
on All Souls' Day (or, according to the judgment of the ordinary, on the Sunday preceding or following it, or on the solemnity of All Saints), devoutly visit a church or an oratory and recite an Our Father and the Creed."

Again, it should be mentioned that, in addition to the act above performed, the other three conditions must be met for a plenary indulgence within a few days of the act: Communion, Confession, and prayer for the Holy Father's intentions (for which an Our Father and Hail Mary will suffice). It is best that the Commnion and prayer for the Holy Father's intentions be on the same day as the act. One confession can apply to multiple plenary indulgences, but only one communion. And of course, one may only gain a single plenary indulgence in a day.

Today would also be a to remember praying for the dead daily, as All Saints' Day begins this evening. We might certainly use that most common prayer for the dead, the Requiem aeternam:

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.

In the coming days, it would be good also to pray the Office of the Dead, either from the Liturgy of the Hours or the Breviary. Praying the prayer Requiem aeternam above, as well as Lauds and Vespers of the Office of the Dead, are enriched with a partial indulgence. The former may be used after meal prayers and the Angelus.

I regret that I did not get this post up earlier, as it would be a great place to mention the Novena in preparation for All Souls, which was explicitly mentioned in no. 260 of the Directory of Popular Piety. I will include one such novena prayer here:

O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, give to the souls of Thy servants departed full remission of all their offenses that, through pious supplications, they may obtain the pardon of which they have always been desirous. Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.
V/. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.
R/. And let perpetual light shine upon them.
V/. May they rest in peace.
R/. Amen.

Despite missing out on the novena, we can at least go on with the Octave. Let's get to praying for the Poor Souls!

Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary

2010-10-30T10:23:00.001-04:00

Today we will turn to that oldest, most popular of the Little Offices, which is also the one which has long been a part of the Church's liturgy. Of course, that is the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary (not to be confused with the much shorter Little Office of the Immaculate Conception).

The last edition of this Little Office was published with the Breviary reforms of 1961. It was not revised in the wake of the post-Conciliar reforms. Nevertheless, it is indulgenced even in the latest version of the Enchiridion. One version of this text may be found here.

The earliest reference to an Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary was in the eighth century at Benedictine monastery of Monte Cassino. As this devotion originated in monastic communities, it was common to pray the Hours of the Blessed Virgin Mary immediately after the Hour of the Divine Office itself. For laity living in the world, one can imagine that it might be rather difficult to undertake this practice, especially as the Little Office is as long as the Hours in the Divine Office (though Matins is sometimes longer). However, as the text is generally identical from day to day (with some daily changes to the psalms in Matins, as well as seasonal changes for Advent and Christmas, plus some other minor variations) it became popular for use among the laity in place of the Divine Office. One can understand that it would be much easier to use than the full Divine Office, leading to its more frequent use.

It came to be found in the devotional books of the laity, especially Books of Hours. For instance, it was one of the major components of the English Book of Hours known as The Prymer. It was accompanied by the Office of the Dead, Litany of Saints, Penitential Psalms, and Gradual Psalms, all devotions which would have originated (with the exception of the Litany) with monastic communities.

There are certainly some great places to go for information on this particular Little Office. Theo Keller's site certainly provides some good background. The blog Psallite Sapienter provides some good reviews of different editions. Despite the critique of the Baronius Press edition on that blog, I find it refreshing to have ready access to the chants (even if the psalms are unfortunately not fully pointed for chanting). It should be noted that the Carmelites continue to have their own version of the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It seems to me that, for Catholics generally, it is best to use the 1961 Roman version.

In keeping with the practice of our forerunners, this Little Office would be excellent at any time. However, those times during which it would most be appropriate on Saturdays, during the months of May, October, and December. While the Little Office of the Immaculate Conception would also be good to use during this last month, the particular Advent character of the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary argues for its use as well.

This should wrap up our series on the Little Offices. For the other Little Offices, see the following links:

Little Office of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Little Office of the Immaculate Conception

Little Office of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

Little Office of Saint Joseph

New Catechetical Opportunities

2010-10-26T11:25:00.005-04:00

I'm happy to hear that my wife and I are getting prepared for catechetical work with kids in our parish. It's also wonderful that I have been able to start working with the kids in the Youth Ministry program. In about a month, I will give a presentation to our RCIA group on the first three Commandments. The Powerpoint Presentation for this last effort is about 80% done (I would like to comb through the Cathechism one more time, and add more art). I am grateful for these opportunities, and pray that I will have more to come.

Tallahassee Vespers: At a Crossroads

2010-10-25T11:04:00.003-04:00

Our latest Sung Sunday Vespers was indicative of the progress which we have made. The mistakes were few and far between. Everyone sang the hymn very well together. There were only a few mistakes in the psalmody. The execution of the Salve Regina at the end of the prayer was quite good.

We are now at a point where our Sunday Vespers needs to grow. The problem will be determining how best to go about doing this. So far, we have grown by word-of-mouth and by posting events on Facebook on both our "Tallahassee Liturgy of the Hours/Divine Office" page, and on the "Una Voce Tallahassee: Latin Mass Community" page. The real growth will occur once we reach out to the bulletins of the several parishes in the area (there are four in the city of Tallahassee, plus a chapel for Florida A&M).

Once we advertise in the bulletin, however, we will need to have the resources for participation for the people who come. We could either try to do a big event for which we have rehearsals (for instance, on Christ the King), with handouts for participation, perhaps trying to link Vespers with Adoration. Alternatively, we can advertise in one of the four bulletins, seeking to draw people in from a single parish.

Currently, my inclination is to do the latter. Advertising within our own parish for people who are willing to sing the parts should draw out some of the more committed who will join weekly. Once we have a good idea of how many are willing to do this, we can advertise in the other parishes. Finally, we can create a more major event, during which I would expect a larger group to attend.

Such are my plans at present. I will seek the input of my cohorts. We know that we need to grow. The question is how we do it.

Litanies: Litany of the Sacred Heart

2010-10-22T08:54:00.002-04:00

Today, being Friday, we'll focus on the Litany of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Like the Litany of St. Joseph, it was only approved for public prayer relatively late, in this case by Pope Leo XIII in 1899. This Litany is actually a composite of other litanies, primarily from the 17th century (please see the link above for more information). While virtually all litanies were forbidden from public use in 1601 (that of All Saints and of Loreto being exceptions), there was a slight loosening of this prohibition in the 19th century, during which the other approved Litanies received their approbation.

In structure, it is much like the other litanies which we have seen: the Kyrie, invocation of the three members of the Trinity to have mercy on us (first individually, then as a unity), the come petitions to the Heart of Jesus to have mercy upon us, followed by the invocations of the Agnus Dei. One of the notable features is that the series of petitions to the Heart of Jesus are 33 in number, reflecting the number of years which Jesus is said to have lived on earth.

Like other devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (for instance the Little Office of the Sacred Heart, mentioned in an earlier post), it seems best suited for Fridays, especially the First Fridays of the month and the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (third Friday after Pentecost). Additionally, it is well suited to every day during the month of June, which is typically held in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and is the month in which the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus usually falls. Like the other approved litanies, it is enriched with a partial indulgence

Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus

2010-10-21T10:28:00.001-04:00

Thursday often devoted to the Eucharist, it seemed a good day to post on the Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus, (found here). This is the last of the approved litanies to receive its approbation, which was given by Pope Bl. John XXIII in 1960 (which can be seen in AAS 52, pp. 412-13).

The structure begins and concludes like the other litanies. However, the response to the 25 petitions is "save us" (salva nos). It is noted for these petitions recalling biblical passages in the Directory of Popular Piety (no. 178).

In many ways, we can look upon this Litany as the most neglected of the six approved litanies. This might owe to its very recent approbation (which was quickly followed by a rejection in many quarters of anything traditional, leaving this rather new devotion to develop little following). While the other approved litanies are included in the Manual of Prayers published by the Midwest Theological Forum, for example, this prayer is unfortunately omitted. Fortunately, however, the U.S. bishops have seen fit to print it both in the Manual of Indulgences (translating the newest version the Enchiridion) and the book Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers.

This Litany is most suitable for every day of the month of July, which is traditionally devoted to the Precious Blood. Unfortunately, in the revised Roman Calendar, there is no longer a Feast of the Precious Blood. This is quite remarkable especially owing to the devotion to the Precious Blood which was held by Bl. John XXIII. However, this does not prevent priests from celebrating a Votive Mass of the Precious Blood. It may also be suitable for Thursdays (because of the Eucharist) or Fridays (because of the Passion). Like the other approved litanies, it is enriched with a partial indulgence.

The New Cardinals-Designate

2010-10-20T12:55:00.004-04:00

A few thoughts on the new Carndinals-Designate:

Is anyone actually surprised that either Burke or Wuerl were named Cardinals? Both hold positions which are considered cardinalatial, and the latter's predecessor just turned 80.
Did anyone actually think that Dolan was going to become a Cardinal this time around when there were so many appointments to lead positions in the Curia in the last couple of years? There wasn't much room to include residential archbishops, so it certainly didn't make sense that anyone would be included when his predecessor was still an elector.
Who else was interested to see that the continent receiving the second largest contingent of electors this round was Africa (with 4, to Europe's 11). In one case, there was a nod of respect to the Coptic Catholics, honoring their Patriarch. In another case, an Archibishop Emeritus was named for some reason. Even so, I wonder if we can make something of the rapid growth of the African Church playing some part in the creation of a proportionately large number of Africans.
Of the Europeans named, eight were from the Curia, only three from residential sees. This might be more recognition of the need to have Cardinals head most of the dicasteries of the Curia. It makes me wonder if there will be a lessening of the number of Cardinals overall from Europe in the future (though I imagine the number of Italians will remain high, if not for Curial connections, then for the need to have people in the running for the next Pope who definitely speak Italian).

These are some of my observations. What did you notice?

Indulgenced Prayers to St. Joseph

2010-10-20T10:00:00.001-04:00

Today being Wednesday, it's a good time to look at devotions to St. Joseph. In particular, it would be good to look at indulgenced prayers to St. Joseph.

We have already looked at the Little Office of St. Joseph and the Litany of St. Joseph, both enriched with partial indulgences. In addition to these, we find the following text in no. 19 of the current Enchirdion:

A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who invoke St. Joseph, spuose of the Blessed Virgin Mary, with a duly approved prayer (e.g., Ad te, beate Ioseph).

The particular prayer mentioned by way of example is provided here:

To you, O blessed Joseph, do we come in our tribulation, and having implored the help of your most holy spuose, we confidently invoke your patronage also. Through hat charity which bound you to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God and through the paternal love with which you embraced the Child Jesus, we humbly beg you graciously to regard the inheritance which Jesus Christ has purchased by his Blood, and with your power and strength to aid us in our necessities. O most watchful Guardian of the Holy Family, defend the chosen children of Jesus Christ; O most loving father, ward off from us every contagion of error and corrupting influence; O our most mighty protector, be kind to us and from heavven assist us in our struggle with the power of darkness. As once you rescued the Child Jesus from deadly peril, so now protect God's Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity; shield, too, each one of us by your constant protection, so that, supported by your example and your aid, we may be able to live piously, to die in holiness, and to obtain eternal happiness in heaven. Amen.

The prayer was composed by Pope Leo XIII, and can first be seen referenced in his encyclical, Quamquam Pluries no. 6. The prayer was originally intended for use after the Rosary (hence the reference to "having impored the help of your holy spouse"). In the last pre-Vatican II edition of the Raccolta, the prayer is indulgenced for "3 years" generally, but "7 years" on Wednesdays or after the Rosary during October. This latter point indicates to me that it was early used independently of the Rosary. Nevertheless, it is probably best said after the Rosary, both on Wednesdays and during the month of October.

There are additional prayers to St. Joseph which we might consider to be "approved" by the Church. In this regard, I would look to what is said in the Directory of Popular Piety no. 222.:

St. Joseph plays a prominent part in popular devotion: in numerous popular traditions; the custom of reserving Wednesdays for devotion to St. Joseph,popular at least since the end of the seventeenth century, has generated several pious exercises including that of the Seven Wednesdays; in the pious aspirations made by the faithful(305); in prayers such as that of Pope Leo XIII, A te, Beate Ioseph, which is daily recited by the faithful(306); in the Litany of St Joseph, approved by St. Pope Pius X(307); and in the recitation of the chaplet of St Joseph, recollecting the Seven agonies and seven joys of St. Joseph.

Of these, the most common form of the devotion of the Seven Sorrows and Seven Joys of St. Joseph are found in the Raccolta no. 470. I'm certainly no canonist, but I would imagine this to constitute "approval." The reference to "Seven Wednesdays struck me as odd, and probably referring instead to the "Seven Sundays of St. Joseph" (it doesn't look like the document received the best proof-reading, as evidenced also by the misspelling of the Ad te, Beate Ioseph).

Additionally, the prayers to St. Joseph before and after Mass in the Roman Missal could probably be considered approved as well. While these prayers might primarily be in place for the preparation of the priest, they are certainly suitable for the use of the faithful as well.

While prayers and devotions to St. Joseph are generally considered best during the month of March and Wednesdays, we might also consider at least some of them appropriate also during Advent. It is my opinion that they could enhance devotion especially to the Incarnation, whose celebration is anticipated in this season. As the season also includes the celebration of the Immaculate Conception of the Blesssed Virgin Mary, some devotions to St. Joseph may give a fuller sense of the Holy Family during this time, and the preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of the Lord.

Vespers in Tallahassee: Week 5 Report

2010-10-18T17:59:00.002-04:00

We met yesterday for our fifth sung Sunday Vespers. The singing is really starting to come together. Most of the dragging while chanting the psalms has ceased. The execution of the Salve Regina after Vespers was near perfect. We learned the setting in the Mundelein Psalter for the English version of the Lucis Creator Optime, and executed it very well. There were both fewer mistakes and greater cohesion.

It is nice to see that our group has grown together. The next step is likely our growing outward. We may take some time before advertising in the bulletins of the four parishes in Tallahassee for new members. Even so, the time is growing shorter 'til we will do so.

I should also note that the rector of the C0-Cathedral informed me of his support of our efforts. I invited him to join us for the evening, but he already had an appointment. Nevertheless, he mentioned that we especially ought to bring into our number those in the community considering the priesthood or religious life (as the Co-Cathedral is right outside Florida State University, there are many college students considering their vocations within the parish). I think this is a great idea, and hope to make efforts in that regard very soon.

I would ask for your prayers for the success of this group. While it might not be possible to have a sung Sunday Vespers everywhere, I certainly believe that every city ought to be able to have at least one (preferably at the Cathedral or Co-Cathedral). We are doing what we can to allow this movement to grow here in Tallahassee. Please support us with your prayers, and consider doing the same in your own community.

Seasonal Hymns in the Mundelein Psalter

2010-10-18T12:42:00.002-04:00

I've mentioned before how much I like the Mundelein Psalter for providing English versions of the Latin hymns of the Liturgy of the Hours. I, for one, think it's wonderful to sing hymns by St. Ambrose or St. Gregory the Great during Sunday Vespers.

Unfortunately, the seasonal hymns are not laid out in an easy-to-read setting. By this, I mean that the notes are provided at the top of the page, rather than above the corresponding verses. This makes it rather difficult to follow. (There is an additional problem with the Vespers hymn of Easter missing a note, thus having only seven notes for an eight beat line of text, but that's another story)

I arranged an easier-to-read setting of Conditor Alme Siderum for our little Tallahassee group. I did not see this to be prohibited by the book itself, especially as we are not selling the material. Thus, we ought to be able to prepare easier for the transition from Ordinary Time into Advent. To set the chants, I used the font StaffClefPitchesEasy, which I find to be incredibly easy to use (round note chant notation).

This way, I think we will be able to continue using the Mundelein Psalter primarily, while supplementing it with other material when appropriate.

Vespers Hymn and Rite of Acceptance

2010-10-17T14:32:00.002-04:00

A couple of things on my mind today. Tonight at Vespers, we will sing an English adaptation of the hymn Lucis Creator Optime. This hymn was written by St. Gregory the Great back in the sixth century. Thinking about this reminds me of the great connection which we have to our ancestors.

It is remarkable to think that this evening, our little schola (if I can dare to call us this) will sing a hymn which was sung before the reforms in the wake of Vatican II. They will sing a hymn in use before the reforms following the Council of Trent. They will sing a hymn which was sung throughout the Middle Ages. They will sing a hymn composed during a time of great durress while the Western Empire was all but lost. They will sing a hymn from the liturgy which helped evangelize Europe.

I'm aware that a great number of hymns of the Office were "reformed" under Pope Urban VIII by altering the traditional text. While these revisions were generally removed in the post-conciliar reform following Vatican II, the original text was not always restored. While I am unsure the extent to which this particular hymn has been altered, I remain happy knowing that this text, however much it may have been revised, has retained a place of honor in our tradition.

Today, my parish's RCIA group underwent the Rite of Acceptance, wherein they have taken a greater commitment in being catechumens. Given what was stated earlier, it is wonderful to think of the great gift of expression of faith which is being given to them from the tradition. It is also exciting to think of how they will contribute to this tradition. It is interesting to see them amazed (and often overwhelmed) by the rich language of symbols and traditions into which they are being drawn. What will they give back to the God, their Church, their families?

Please pray for those who have undergone the Rite of Acceptance that God will lead them along their journey. I hope that we may join in our pilgrimage together, ultimately having the opporutnity to see our Lord face to face.

Little Office of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ

2010-10-08T07:29:00.000-04:00

Today we begin to wrap up our series on the Little Offices. The Little Office of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ was approved by the S.C.R in 1921. It was subsequently indulgenced. Some changes were made to the rubrics in 1932.

Throughout history, there had been a number of Little Offices of the Passion. One was even composed by St. Francis of Assisi. The one which was indulgenced, however, is a fuller Office. It was composed by the Passionist Fr. Aloysius of St. Charles, in order to fulfill the requirements of litugical law while allowing for a shorter Office for missionaries and retreat masters.

I will admit that I had great trouble locating this prayer, and making sure that I had the prayer which was explicitly indulgenced. The front matter of the 1953 edition of the Little Office of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ by the Confraternity of the Passion confirms that it is the indulgenced version. I suppose it is possible that the text was changed since 1948 (the time of the last revision, apparently). If anyone is aware of such a change to this Little Office, I would be grateful to know of it.

In order to give a sense of how the text is presented, it seems best to quote from the front matter of the 1953 edition:

The Hours of this Little Office follow Christ in His Passion and commemorate His different sufferings. At matins and Lauds the Passion Office commemorates the prayer and bloody sweat of Jesus in the Garden. In monasteries these two hours are said in the middle of the night. Prime and Tierce, the morning prayers of the Church, recall the scourging and crowning with throns. Sext and None are said during hte day and honor Jesus carrying His Cross and being crucified. The evning prayer, Vespers, recalls Jesus' last words and death. Finally the Church's night prayer, Compline, commemorates Jesus taken down from the Cross and laid in the tomb (p. 7).

So that anyone might not be confused which Little Office of the Passion is enriched with the partial indulgence, I thought it would be good to provide the psalms listed in each hour. Numbers correspond to the Vulgate numbering for the Psalms:

Matins: 94; Noct. 1 (Sun., Mon., Thurs.) 2, 3, 12; Noct. 2 (Tues., Fri.) 21 i, 21ii, 21iii; Noct. 3 (Wed., Sat.) 24i, 24ii, 24iii.

Lauds: 50, 5, 66, Is. 12:1-6, 145.

Prime: 34i, 34ii, 34iii.

Terce: 37i, 37ii, 42.

Sext: 53, 54i, 54ii.

None: 68i, 68ii, 68iii.

Vespers: 114, 119, 139, 140, 141.

Compline: 19, 63, 142.

I heartily recommend the use of this prayer. It would be best used on any Friday, and any day during Lent (especially during the last two weeks, traditionally called Passiontide, which includes Holy Week).

If anyone would be able to tell me whether I would be able to post this text without infringing copyright, I would be greatly appreciative! It has been approved for use of the whole Church, and rightly belongs to the whole Church. I hope that we all may be able to make use of it.

Our Lady of the Rosary: The Rosary and October

2010-10-07T09:23:00.004-04:00

Today, October 7th, is the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary. October is in fact that month of the Rosary. You will hear it said that it commemorates the victory of a Christian fleet against an invading Muslim force at the Battle of Lepanto. More than anything, however, it commemorates the power of this prayer to Jesus through Mary, as exemplified by the victory given to that outnumbered fleet.

The Rosary, of course, has a long history ante-dating this event battle. Prayer beads had long been used with various styles of prayer from very early times. Indeed, they are also found in non-Christian cultures. Among Christians, as early as the seventh century, there was a practice among the laity to recite 150 Hail Marys, in imitation of the 150 Psalms, which were sung by monks throughout the week. It is out of this "Psalter of Mary" that the Rosary was to emerge, and it is still sometimes called by this name.

At its core, praying the Rosary consists of three sets of five "decades." These decades consist of one Our Father, ten Hail Marys, and one Glory be. During each decade, one meditates on a Mystery (that is, a revealed truth) about Our Lord (or his Blessed Mother, those these mysteries be seen as an extension of the mystery of Our Lord, as they pertain to God's love for her). Offering a rosary is understood to consist in essence of praying five such decades. Nevertheless, various additions have been made to this prayer. I am not aware of any version of the Rosary where these decades are not preceded by an additional Our Father and three Hail Marys.

The beginning of the prayer varies according to local custom. In the United States (and I believe all of the English speaking world) the practice is to begin with the Sign of the Cross and the Apostles' Creed while holding the crucifix attached to the Rosary. In Rome, the practice is to begin with the opening words of the Divine Office: "Lord, open my lips. And my mouth will proclaim your praise. God, come to my assistance. Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be . . ."Hail, Holy Queen (Salve Regina). This is usually followed by a collect (concluding prayer). Additionally, the Litany of Loreto (about which more will be written on Saturday) can follow. Finally, the prayer to St. Joseph might be made after the Rosary.

This certainly does not exhaust the possibilities of praying the Rosary, or the adaptations which can be made by an individual or group. For instance, one might desire to pray the Memorare before the Rosary in order to better set a prayerful mood. Moreover, various prayers may be added, for vocations, peace, etc

It should not go without saying that in 2002 John Paul II, in the Apostolic Letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae, introduced five new optional mysteries for meditation during the Rosary, known as the Luminous Mysteries. These include 1) the Baptism in the Jordan; 2) the Wedding at Cana; 3) the Proclamation of the Kingdom and Call to Repentance; 4) the Transfiguration; and 5) the Eucharist.

It should be noted that this has caused a great deal of consternation among a number of traditionalists. The primary reason is that it appears to sever the practice from its roots as substitution or complement for the Psalter (i.e., as "Mary's Psalter"). Nevertheless, one could argue that there are already various chaplets offered using Rosary beads anyway. We can see this simply as another of those chaplets.
Regarding the Rosary, we find the following text in the Enchiridion no. 17 sec. 1:

A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who
1. devoutly recite the Marian rosary in a church or oratory, or in a family, a religious community, or an association of the faithful, and in general when several of the faithful gather for some honest purpose.
2. devoutly join in the recitation of the rosary while it is being recited by the Supreme Pontiff and broadcast live by radio or television.
In other circumstances, the indulgence will be partial

Praying the Rosary under these circumstances is indeed one of six ways in which a member of the faithful may gain a plenary indulgence on any day. The other ways would include: 1) devoutly reading Sacred Scripture for 30 minutes; 2) devoutly praying before the Blessed Sacrament for 30 minutes; 3) praying the Stations of the Cross; 4) praying the Akathistos hymn under the same circumstances as the Rosary; 5) praying the Paraclesis service under the same circumstances

In this month of October, and on this Feast Day, we have a great opportunity to renew or take up this practice for the first time.

Litanies: Litany of St. Joseph

2010-10-06T14:23:00.000-04:00

While it might seem a little out-of-order to write on the Litany of St. Joseph before the Litany of Loreto (Blessed Virgin Mary), it seemed appropriate as Wednesday is traditionally held in honor of St. Joseph.

This Litany (found here, here, and here) is much shorter than the two which we have previously treated. It begins normally, with the Kyrie, "Christ, hear us," and invocation of the Trinity (though the version in the current Manual of Indulgences omits the "Christ hear us"). Thereafter, we ask Holy Mary to pray for us, followed by St. Joseph. Following this, Joseph's intercession is invoked under a series of titles. It concludes with the Agnus Dei, a versicle to St. Joseph, and a collect.

Like many devotions to St. Joseph, it appears to have been approved late. Indeed, the version which we have was not approved and indulgenced until 1909.

As Wednesdays and the month of March are especially suited to St. Joseph, these times seem best for reciting this prayer. As with all Litanies, it lends itself well to common recitation. Of course, this does not limit the number of times when one might make use of this prayer, especially for fathers (who might have recourse to this model of fatherhood).

Litanies: Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus

2010-10-05T14:26:00.006-04:00

For our next installment on the approved litanies, we turn to the Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus (found, for instance, here and here). This litany was first indulgenced by Pope Sixtus V in the late 16th century. However, despite being indulgenced, it appears that it was not "approved" until the reign of Bl. Pius IX, whose approval gave the prayer its current form. It may have originated with St. Bernardine of Siena or St. John Capistrano. Like the other five approved litanies, it retains a partial indulgence.

Looking at the structure, it appears to follow that of the Litany of the Saints fairly closely. It begins with the Kyrie and "Jesus, hear us," followed by the same invocation of the Trinity as in the longer Litany of Saints. Thereafter, it invokes Jesus in both his human and divine qualities. It further recognizes him as the models of various charisms. Thereafter, like in the Litany of Saints, we ask for deliverance from various forms of evil, and deliverance by means of various acts in Jesus' life. It concludes with the Agnus Dei, Jesus hear us, and a collect.

This litany was provided as a prayer suitable to the morning by F.X. Lasance in his Prayer Book for Religious. In this respect, it is complemented by the Litany of Loreto (of the Blessed Virgin Mary) in the evening. It would also be an excellent practice to recite this prayer daily during the month of January, which is traditionally devoted to the Holy Name of Jesus (especially on the Memorial of the Holy Name of Jesus, Jan. 3rd).

Solemnity of the Nativity of the Sweet Baby

2010-10-05T12:53:00.004-04:00

Saturday was the Solemnity of the Natvity of my beloved daughter. She was born one year ago. In truth, she took a giant leap forward by now being able to use a new, forward-facing car seat (thanks to her Mimi!).

A great time was had by all. She was able to see her grandparents, aunt, uncle, and two cousins (on my wife's side). There was much eating, a visit to a pumpkin patch and hay ride (they really have autumn in Atlanta, unlike here in Tallahassee!), her aunt's chocolate cupcakes, and a birthday party. The only bad thing was our Sweet Baby's unfortunate tummy ache, as she is not used to chocolate. It was still cute seeing her eat it.

I would ask for your prayers that she have another great year this year. It has been a blessing to see her grow so much in such a short time. She's already starting to walk some. I'm really looking forward to her language acquisition (we'll probably start with just English and Latin; Greek, Hebrew, etc. can come later).

Litanies: Litany of the Saints

2010-10-05T12:21:00.000-04:00

Today, we will begin a new series on Litanies. This is part of our broader series on Indulgences. There are six Litanies enriched with a partial indulgence: the Litany of the Saints, the Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus, the Litany of Loreto (for the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Litany of the Most Sacred Heart, the Litany of the Most Precious Blood, and the Litany of St. Joseph. By far, the oldest of these is the Litany of the Saints. It is thus a good idea to turn first to this prayer, so important to our tradition, and well-used in both our Liturgy and Popular Devotions.

* * *

The Litany of Saints is of undetermined antiquity. We can generally say that some form of it was common at the time of St. Gregory the Great, who ordered his Litania Septiformis. The practice of litanies used in procession goes back to the legalization of Christianity under Constantine. As there were sacred processions in the contemporary Pagan practice, so the Christians invented their own. One general practice during these processions was a series of invocations followed by a standard response. This has become what we know now as Litany. One can see that it would be easy to sing or recite such a prayer in procession, as only one needs to know the invocations, while the rest may simply offer the response.

The form adopted for the Litany of the Saints can be seen coming from the practice of the Roman processions. The most important of these would be held on the day of the Major Litany (April 25, St. Mark's Day, supplanting the Pagan procession of the Robigalia on the same day). It was also used for the Minor Litanies: the Rogation Days asking for a good harvest, on the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday before Ascension Thursday.

The Litany of the Saints is used at numerous points in both the Ordinary and Extraordinary Forms of the Roman Rite. However, there are different forms of this Litany used in each. In the case of the Ordinary Form, the Litany of the Saints used at the Easter Vigil has a rather short listing of Saints, and does not include the invocations to the Trinity before the invocation of the Saints to "have mercy on us." In the Rite of Baptism, there are only a handful of Saints invoked (oddly, this Litany is preceded by the Prayer of the Faithful, which is also a Litany).

A full form of the Litany may be found here, including both English and Latin text. Another easier-to-follow English version may be found here. Nevertheless, names of other Saints may be inserted at the appropriate place in the Litany (for instance, the patron of the parish or diocese). It is forbidden, however, to insert the names of those who are not venerated as Saints into the Litany (for this reason, we ought to avoid using the form of the Litany which includes the name of Origen in any liturgical celebration).

There are innumerable times during which this prayer may be said: during processions, obviously, and at those points appointed in the Liturgy; during an evening vigil; as a preparation for liturgical prayer; as a form of intercession for some particular need; on Sundays, uniting ourselves with the full Communion of Saints, on behalf of the Faithful Departed, expecially on Mondays, on which we especially traditionally remember the Poor Souls. It may also be used for processions to the church during Lent (and seems appropriate also on the Solemnity of All Saints, Nov. 1st).

This prayer is well-suited for prayer in common. It can be recited with minimal training for those who respond. It can likewise be easily chanted (especially with the settings we have for the Litany in the Easter Vigil). It is enriched with a partial indulgence.

Little Office of the Immaculate Conception

2010-09-26T01:15:00.007-04:00

As we treated the Little Office of St. Joseph on Wednesday and the Little Office of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus on Friday, so today, Saturday, we focus on the Little Office of the Immaculate Conception. You can find this text here and here.

Along with the other four explicitly indulgenced Little Offices (Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Little Office of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Little Office of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and Little Office of St. Joseph), it is enriched with a partial indulgence.

This particular Little Office is said to have been composed by St. Alphonsus Rodriguez, the lay Jesuit. According to the immutable and infallible arbiter of all truth that is Wikipedia, he is likely not the original author of this text. Nevertheless, he can probably be credited with its promotion.

In structure, it is fairly similar to the other two Little Offices which we have treated. The Introductory Verse might strike one as being rather odd, as it changes the addressee from God (as is the case of the psalm verse it mimics) to Our Lady. This addressing of Our Lady also occurs in the short responses and concluding versicles.

The hymns are notable for their highly symbolic language. It draws mostly upon Old Testament types for the Blessed Virgin. The more poetic among us might take great delight in these texts.

For those who would want to use these prayers seasonally, rather than every day, the best times seem to be Saturdays (dedicated to Our Lady or the Immaculate Conception) or December. In the case of the Latter, the Novena of Preparation for the Immaculate Conception especially seems an excellent time for this Little Office.

It is true that the Directory of Popular Piety (101) warns against observing December simply in honor of Our Lady or the Immaculate Conception. There is great wisdom in this, given that the primary focus on Advent is the coming of Our Lord (both in his Nativity and in the parousia to come). Nevertheless, I personally do not believe that this Little Office would conflict, but rather complement, this devotion to Our Lord. However, I can understand the concerns of those who believe that it would. In their case, I would at least advocate the use of this Little Office during the Novena of the Immaculate Conception. I would especially recommend this because devotion to Our Lady during Advent is so encouraged in the same Directory (101-02).

It turns out that there is a small booklet available with these prayers. I was able to get a copy at Aquinas and More. It's small and cheap, and easily fits into another prayer book or Breviary. Give this Little Office a look!

Little Office of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

2010-09-23T23:11:00.006-04:00

On Wednesday, we treated the Little Office of St. Joseph. Today, on account of Fridays (especially First Fridays) being held in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we focus on the Little Office of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (found here ).

It was mostly composed by one Fr. Croiset, then modified by a Fr. Gallifet. The present version was indulgenced by Pope Leo XIII, and this has subsequently been reaffirmed. It remains one of the five explicitly indulgenced Little Offices.

Like the Little Office of St. Joseph, does not have any psalmody. Rather, it has the traditional opening and conclusion for the Office, with a hymn, antiphon, versicle, and prayer between. The antiphons ask, in various ways, for the Heart of Jesus to convert our own hearts toward our Savior. The hymns are quite beautiful and vivid as well.

Like the Little Office of St. Joseph, these brief prayers seem very suitable immediately after praying the corresponding Hour of the day. This is especially so on Fridays (and First Fridays at that), or else in the month of June, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Likewise, for those laity who do not have the full Office, it may serve as a way of sanctifying the day, fulfilling the Lord's command to "pray without ceasing."

Sung Vespers vs. Recited Vespers: Practicality & Effectiveness

2010-09-22T10:56:00.004-04:00

I was asked recently by one Ryan Ellis via Twitter what I thought about a recited communal Vespers from a practical standpoint. It's a very fair question, and one deserving a better response than can be contained in 140 characters.

First, the obvious thing to say is that it is much easier to teach a group to recite Vespers in common than it is to teach them to sing Vespers in common. If we were to compare this to the Mass, it is much easier to have a Mass fully recited than one which is even partially sung. In the barest sense of the word "practical," it is more practical to recite Vespers in common.

However, aside from the merely aesthetic reasons for having a sung Vespers, we might consider its effect upon a congregation. Consider your average daily Mass, for instance: it's a Low Mass in English. Very few people show up. Granted, a lot of people won't come to a daily Mass because of their work or school schedule conflicts. Even so, I have heard people who attended daily Mass tell me that they didn't like it simply because there was no singing involved. In other words, they did not feel like they were able to adequately join in a period of worship without the singing.

I would imagine that the effect would be even greater in the Hours, where so much more of the essence of the texts is that of song. You open with an acclamation (which generally ought to be sung), followed by a hymn and three psalms (or two psalms and a canticle). After the reading (which need not necessarily be sung) you have a responsory (which should) and a Gospel Canticle (ditto). One can debate whether to sing the Intercessions, Lord's Prayer, and Collect. As a dialogue, the conclusion probably ought to be sung.

So essentially, at its heart, you have six or so texts which, by their nature, can be considered songs. They need not always be sung (in fact, the General Instruction seems to argue for a case by case approach to the feasibility and manner of singing each psalm). Even so, given ancient practice, one would think that the psalmody and hymn at the very least ought to be sung if possible.

I don't think there is anything wrong with a group of the faithful gathering to pray one or more the Hours using recitation rather than singing. In fact, there is a group at my parish that has started to do just that on weekdays. I find our efforts to be complementary rather than competitive. Nevertheless, just as I believe that a sung Mass will draw more people, I believe that a sung Vespers will draw more people. Further (and this is just assumption), I believe that a sung Vespers has greater ability to inspire people to recite the other hours in common than vice versa.

The Little Office of Saint Joseph

2010-09-21T21:27:00.011-04:00

In the coming days, I hope to post on the now little-used prayers known as the Little Offices. Indeed, the subject for today is so little-used that I am not sure which prayer text is indeed indulgenced. As Wednesday is often kept as a day in honor of St. Joseph, it seems a good idea to start with the Little Office of Saint Joseph. It was initially indulgenced in 1921, and again in 1932. With the reform of the Enchiridion under Paul VI, it was retained as one of the five explicitly indulgenced Little Offices.

I have been unable to guarantee that I am providing the text of the indulgenced Little Office of Saint Joseph. My best guess as to the text of the prayer is found here. The Latin form of this text is also found in the Coeleste Palmetum, while the English translation was used in F.X. Lasance's Prayer-Book for Religious. Thus, I think it is a pretty good guess that this same prayer was later explicitly indulgenced. However, I have been unable to locate the documents issued by the Apostolic Penitentiary which provided the indulgence. If anyone knows where to locate these documents, I would be very grateful. The first was issued May 10, 1921, and the second March 18, 1932. Just as a hunch, I would expect these documents to include the official Latin version of these prayers.

In regard to the prayers themselves, I find the antiphons to be quite noteworthy. Between Prime and Sext, they are texts from Scripture specifically relating to Joseph. Indeed, with the other three antiphons (taken from the psalms) they generally tell the story of Joseph in Salvation History, and his efforts to defend his family, culminating in a period of rest at night. The hymns match the texts of the antiphon, expanding upon their themes.

Recovering this prayer would be excellent not only for Wednesdays, but also for the month of March, traditionally held in honor of St. Joseph. If indeed this short Office is the indulgenced Little Office of Saint Joseph, it would certainly be easy to use for those whose lives are too busy perhaps for the fuller Liturgy of the Hours or Breviary. It may also be good as an additional devotion after each Hour during March or on Wednesdays. It also might be a particularly worthy devotion for fathers, as St. Joseph is a model for and patron of fathers.

The Liturgy of the Hours and Grassroots Liturgical Renewal

2010-09-21T17:29:00.004-04:00

There have been many movements toward a renewal of the liturgy in these last few months and years. Perhaps the most noteworthy project right now is the movement for a free collection of propers for the Mass. Nevertheless, even once this project is finished, it must have support of pastors in order to be implemented in parishes. How might ordinary laity engage in renewing and reforming the liturgical practice in their own parishes?

The primary answer is to stake out that ground which is currently not held or even contested by anyone in the parish. We know that Sacrosanctum Concilium called for Sunday Vespers to be celebrated in common in parishes. Individual Catholic laity may certainly join in praying the Hours together, with or without clergy (though clergy are to take their appropriate roles when they are present). The Catholic laity are certainly not forbidden to gather together as a community to pray. If they meet for a sung Vespers, learn how to chant the psalms, etc., they have undertaken a vital step in renewing the liturgical life of their parish.

Moreover, they have something which they can bring to their pastor, inviting him to join with them. I can't imagine many priests saying "no." They may then ask for the permission to use the parish church when no other event is scheduled in the evening. Again, I can't imagine a priest here saying, "no." Finally, they can invite him to take his own proper role in leading the prayers of the people (as well as any associate pastors or deacons). While some priests may not opt for this option, it's probably safe to say that many will.

This may lead to further opportunities for renewing the liturgical life of the parish. Think, for instance, of all those daily Low Masses in almost every parish in the country. Even Solemnities receive this treatment, so long as they are not also Holy Days of Obligation. If a group is able to sing the simple chants of the Mundelein Psalter, they are probably able to sing the chants of By Flowing Waters, which sets the texts of the Simple Gradual. You might then be able to provide the chants from the Psalter for the Entrance, Offertory, and Communion. While there might be some opposition to such an offer before starting a Sunday Vespers, once competence is shown, it's easy to imagine such opposition subsiding.

We have many opportunities out there. We should seize them. Don't just fight to change the way things are. We can work together to improve things as they now stand, and start things that aren't yet being done.

First Tallahassee Sung Vespers a Success!

2010-09-19T20:34:00.006-04:00

I am pleased to report that our first attempt at a sung (mostly chanted) Sunday Vespers was quite successful. First, we did a walk-through of the Order of the Hour of Vespers. Then we went through the relevant sections of the book. Thereafter, we began to practice singing the psalm tones (with the aid of the recordings provided by the webpage). Finally, we prayed the hour of Vespers, singing the psalms and cancticles with their antiphons, hymn, opening verse, Lord's Prayer, Collect, and conclusion.

The psalmody was sung according to the settings provided in the Mundelein Psalter. We did not learn the setting provided for the hymn this week (we hope to do this when the hymn repeats in Week III). Rather, we sang it to the tune of "Old Hundreth," which everyone knew. The responsory was also sung according to the setting provided.

In total, the whole event took about an hour. That was all! I would like to reiterate how easy it can be to get a group together using this book to sing the prayers of the Hours. After someone with even moderate musical ability has mastered this book at home, s/he can easily gather a group at the parish to form a schola or choir.

In the coming weeks, we will be refining our sound. Certainly, there were mistakes. Nevertheless, our group took it in stride much better than I had anticipated. Perhaps it was the movement of the Holy Spirit. Or maybe they all just learn more quickly than I do. Maybe it was that inherent Catholic quality, where none of us know how to sing, but all of us know how to harmonize. Whatever it was, the sound at times was, in my opinion, glorious.

These are the first baby steps. A few weeks from now, we hope to invite our clergy to take part with us. Thereafter, we hope that we may prepare for leading the parish (and perhaps the wider Tallahassee community) in this prayer. I certainly think that it would be great if we could lead our community in Vespers during a larger period of Eucharistic Adoration (perhaps on the Solemnity of Christ the King?). However, we must remember: one thing at a time. I am certain that we will be successful in the end, and God will be glorified by our little choir, then our parish, and even our Tallahassee community, joining in this evening sacrifice of praise.

Updated ICEL Chant Settings

2010-09-17T18:20:00.003-04:00

I am happy to say that the ICEL chants which will appear in the revised Roman Missal next year have been updated. A hat tip is in order to Gotta Sing, Gotta Pray. The link to the page with the ICEL chants is here.

There were numerous complaints about changing the Order of Mass after recognitio had been granted in 2008. Even so, I believe that both those who are excited about the new translation, as well as those who are apprehensive, can take heart that the chants which will appear in the Missal itself have already been amended. I recommend taking a look at the setting based on Credo III. The changes from the 2008 version to the 2010 seemed rather seemless to me.

I respect those who are troubled by this new translation. Nevertheless, I hope that they can understand my joy in the reclamation of ancient melodies for use in the modern liturgy. I hope that soon, we may not only pray, but sing, the words of the Creed together.

Issues at RCIA: What are we Supposed to Say?

2010-09-16T22:33:00.004-04:00

My wife went through RCIA last year. Given her recent experience making the jump (or plunge) into the Church, and given my being a Catholic geek, we figured that, between the two of us, we ought to be able to help anybody with any questions they might have. Hence we decided to join up with the team this year. There's a great group, and it's great to see the people who led Danielle along last year.

Last week, when we broke up from the large group into small groups, there were questions over how to know what responses one should make in the liturgy. I thought it would be best if the group was able to have a copy of the Order of Mass, and thought it would be wonderful if there was a pdf booklet online. As it turns out, there is indeed such a pdf booklet, which may be found here!

Of course, we are soon moving into a period where even those who have been Catholics for their whole lives will need to learn these responses again. Indeed, we are already fortunate enough to have the new translation of the Order of Mass. I for one find them to be quite beautiful and generally an improvement on the previous translation (even if there are some parts that could probably be smoothed out a bit). While the new translation is certainly easy to access, it seems like it would be a great idea to put it in a booklet form as well. If anyone has done this, I would love to know. Also, we can have a challenge to make such a booklet.

Ecumenical Evening Prayer of the Papal Visit

2010-09-15T13:35:00.004-04:00

If you're like me, you've been following the information coming out about Benedict XVI's Apostolic Journey to the UK. A lot has been said about the relative use of Latin vs. English in the Missal for the journey (i.e., the Prefaces and Eucharistic prayers will be in Latin). I have heard relatively little comment, however, on the Ecumenical Evening Prayer (Vespers, or Evensong). It can be found here, starting on page 57 (but really starting on page 60) of the document.

I find it noteworthy that the option chosen for the ecumenical gathering was a Vespers service. In the United States, for instance, the liturgy from the Book of Blessings for ecumenical gatherings was chosen for the comparable event. It is probably fair to say that we can see in this a recognition of the retention of the practice of praying the Hours in the Anglican tradition, as the style comes from the Anglican form of Evensong. The use of the more traditional version of the psalm and Magnificat might also point to the Holy Father's preference for sacral, beautiful language for the liturgy.

Owing to the publication of Anglicanorum Coetibus, we can be sure that the Holy Father sees great worth in the Anglican patrimony. Evensong would certainly count among this patrimony. We can probably see in this an affirmation of the Anglican Use Catholics, as well as those who may soon come into full Communion with the Church under the provisions of Anglicanorum Coetibus.

In the future, even in our parishes, I believe that Vespers would be an excellent way to engage in ecumenical prayer. This goes whether we use the texts of the Liturgy of the Hours, or those of the Anglican Use Book of Divine Worship.

I'm curious to know what you might think about this. Please let me know!

Sunday Sung Vespers in Tallahassee

2010-09-15T10:30:00.007-04:00

I am happy to report on a local experiment to have a sung Vespers in Tallahassee. Probably a good chunk of the people who would be drawn to this blog will be familiar with the following text from the Vatican II Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy:

Pastors of souls shall see to it that the chief Hours, especially Vespers, are celebrated in common in church on Sundays and the more solemn feasts. And the laity, too, are encouraged to recite the divine office, either with the priests, or among themselves, or even individually (SC 100).

Just before this statement, the Constitution reads: "It is, moreover, fitting that the office, both in choir and in common, be sung when possible (SC 99).

As such, a small group of laity in Tallahassee, FL are seeking to institute a Sung Sunday Vespers at 5:00 on Sundays. At the beginning, we will use the Mundelein Psalter, because it is easy to use and easy to learn. Also, it is fully in keeping with the approved ICEL text of the Roman Rite Ordinary Form Liturgy of the Hours, while providing the actual Latin hymns (along with English translations) from the Latin edition.

It is interesting to see on a number of blogs that many believe that we are "rolling back" the reforms of Vatican II. Many of us seeing the implementation of the Council finally coming. If we were to implement a Sung Vespers, think of the opportunities:

A setting of worship much more suitable for ecumenical gatherings than the Mass (as we can see from the example of John Paul II and Benedict XVI every Jan. 25 for the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul)
A way to more fully encourage the sanctification of the day, wherein the community has the opportunity to gather for worship in the Morning Mass, but the evening Sacrifice of Praise.
A greater familiarity with the Psalter, our truly divinely inspired prayer book (and, for that matter hymnal). As we rarely hear the propers sung or recited during the liturgy through an accident of history, an embrace of Sunday Vespers can be all the more crucial in implementing a greater call for familiarity with Scripture.

These are just a few of the ideas that could come to mind. Our first meeting, to learn to sing the hours, is scheduled for this Sunday, September 19th. I ask for your prayers in this endeavor, and hope that our actions here may encourage others to act in a similar fashion.

The Paraclesis

2010-08-08T14:59:00.012-04:00

I regret being away for so long. There have been a lot of family and other duties with which to deal. Suffice it to say, I am rather liberated at this moment to begin writing here again.

Before the big absence in posting, I was attempting to bring up devotional practices especially relating to the Church year. It is firmly my intention to resume that practice.

* * *

As you may be aware, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is fast approaching. The feast is often viewed as the primary feast of our Blessed Mother, likely owing to it being the closest thing that she has to a dies natalis. It is the day we commemorate her Dormition (her falling asleep, as the Feast is called in the East), and her being assumed into heaven body and soul.

Naturally, one would expect popular devotions regarding the Blessed Virgin to grow around this Feast. There are a number of western devotions. Today, however, I would like to focus upon a particular devotion from the Byzantine tradition called the Paraclesis.

The Paraclesis (or Paraklesis, as it is sometimes phonetically transcribed) is a supplicatory prayer to Mary. It is appropriate "in every adversity and affliction, as well as during the Fast of the Theotokos, August 1st to 14th, in preparation for the Feast of the Dormition" (Publicans Prayer Book, 463). Since 1999, it has been especially recommended to the whole of the Church in the Enchiridion of Indulgences. No. 23 sec. 1 of the Enchiridion states that:

A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who devoutly recite the Akathistos hymn or the Office of the Paraclisis in a church or oratory, or in a family, a religious community, or an association of the faithful, and in general when several of the faithful gather for some honest purpose. In other circumstances, the indulgence will be partial.

Readers may notice that this is virtually the same language that the Enchiridion uses with regard to the Rosary in no. 17. To express how much this prayer is esteemed by the Church, we would need to recall that aside from the Rosary, Akathistos, and Paraclesis, the only other ways to gain a plenary indulgence on any day are 1) 30 minutes of reading (or listening to the reading of) Sacred Scripture; 2) 30 minutes adoring the Blessed Sacrament; and 3) Walking and praying the Stations of the Cross (or 15 minutes reading and meditating on the Passion, if one is legitimately prevented). This should remind us that this prayer is suitable for any time, but especially for the time in preparation for the Assumption.

The term used for the order of this service is a canon, which in the the Byzantine tradition consists essentially of nine "odes," these are in turn divided into thirds, with additional texts inserted after the third, sixth, and ninth odes (interestingly, in the "small" Paraclesis, the second ode is omitted). Before the prayer proper, there are a number of additional prayers, including the usual Trisagion prayers, a couple of psalms, and some litanies. In order to see the basic structure, we could turn to this version of the Small Paraclesis.

When using the prayer myself, I use the version found in the Publicans Prayer Book. Helpful rubrics are provided throughout. My only regret is that the text of the Gospel from Luke is not included in the prayer book itself. I hope that you will give this prayer a look, especially in preparation for the Solemnity of the Assumption. As the Vigil of the Assumption was traditionally a fast day in the Western Church, it seems a most appropriate day for this devotion.

Antiphonale Romanum II

2010-02-09T14:06:00.002-05:00

There's a much better post on Antiphonale Romanum II over at the New Liturgical Movement website. I recommend taking a look at it, if interested in singing Vespers in chant.

Chants for Vespers Now Published by Solesmes

2010-01-27T20:35:00.006-05:00

For those wanting to chant Vespers of the Liturgy of the Hours, the chants for Sundays and Major Feasts has finally been published. It is published under the title Antiphonale Romanum II, as it is the first in a series providing music for the Roman Office. Solesmes has released the edition. The following is a google translation of the page from their website (apologies for not providing my own, as I am not very proficient in French):

Vespers Sing Sunday in Gregorian chant, and according to the present liturgy is finally possible, nearly thirty years after the publication of Liturgy Horarum.

The Antiphonale Romanum II is a book of 800 pages of paper bible, the usual format of books of Gregorian chant at Solesmes. The volume is adorned with a beautiful cover skai marble, an elegant dark red, reinforced backs, and two favorites, touge and gold.

The book contains all the elements necessary to singing of Vespers for Sundays and festivals of the year. That is to say, hymns, antiphons, psalms and hymns, readings, short-responses, prayers of intercession and the concluding prayers. At the end of the book, a chapter explains in detail the rules of song from each of these genres.

The book follows the provisions of the Liturgy of the Hours, by using the wealth of content Gregorian chant in medieval manuscripts and the later tradition. The proposed melodies are edited in accordance with the requirements of the critical current musicology.

These melodies are presented in their pastoral edition is tailored to the needs of amateur choirs: all the verses of hymns are noted, and pointed to the letterpress each verse adaptation of the psalm tones.

In accordance with the wishes of Vatican II (Sacrosanctum Concilium n. 100) is by editing the volume of Vespers for Sundays and festivals that began publication of Antiphonale Romanum.

I greet this with great enthusiasm, and hope everybody else does, as well.

Feast of the Epiphany: Home Blessings and Prayer for Migrants

2010-01-03T14:09:00.005-05:00

The Solemnity of the Epiphany is one of the more ancient Christian Feasts. Sometimes, the celebration of the Nativity was celebrated on Jan. 6 in ancient days (especially in the East). However, the Roman practice eventually prevailed everywhere of celebrating that day on Dec. 25. The Epiphany was the date for commemorating the 1) the visit of the Magi, 2) the Jesus' baptism in the Joran, and 3) the miracle at Cana, transforming water to wine.

While in the East the day tends to focus on Jesus' baptism in the Jordan, in the West the focus has primarily been on the visit of the Magi. For this reason, the tradition of blessing homes and praying for migrants has developed.

Also, this day reveals Jesus as the way of salvation for the Gentiles. As the Magi were guided by a star from afar to adore the Savior, so Christ is the light for the path of all Gentiles. This concept of "revealing" is also connected with the liturgical Proclamation of Easter, which occurs today. Every parish should seek to have this chanted (or at least recited) on this day. The text for this proclamation may be found at the USCCB website. Here is the pdf file of the chant.

As mentioned, it is traditional to bless the home on the Epiphany. The Directory of Popular Piety says the following about this tradition:

the blessing of homes, on whose lentils are inscribed the Cross of salvation, together with the indication of the year and the initials of the three wise men (C+M+B), which can also be interpreted to mean Christus mansionem benedicat, written in blessed chalk; this custom, often accompanied by processions of children accompanied by their parents, expresses the blessing of Christ through the intercession of the three wise men and is an occasion for gathering offerings for charitable and missionary purposes.

Here is a traditional example of the Blessing of the Home for Epiphany. It appears that, if a priest is not present, the father of the family may lead the family in the prayer of blessing (the holy water and chalk must be previously blessed by a priest, however).

BLESSING OF HOMES on Epiphany
As the priest comes into the home he says:
P: God's peace be in this home.
All: And in all who live here.
P. Ant.: Magi from the East came to Bethlehem to adore the Lord; and opening their treasure chests they presented Him with precious gifts: gold for the great King, incense for the true God, and myrrh in symbol of His burial. Alleluia.
Canticle of the Magnificat
Luke 1.46-55
P: "My soul * extols the Lord;
All: And my spirit leaps for joy in God my Savior.
P: How graciously He looked upon His lowly maid! * Oh, see, from this hour onward age after age will call me blessed!
All: How sublime is what He has done for me, * the Mighty One, whose name is 'Holy'!
P: From age to age He visits those * who worship Him in reverence.
All: His arm achieves the mastery: * He routs the haughty and proud of heart.
P: He puts down princes from their thrones, * and exalts the lowly;
All: He fills the hungry with blessings, * and sends away the rich with empty hands.
P: He has taken by the hand His servant Israel, * and mercifully kept His faith,
All: As He had promised our fathers * with Abraham and his posterity forever and evermore."
P: Glory be to the Father.
All: As it was in the beginning.
Meanwhile the home is sprinkled with holy water and incensed. At the end of the Magnificat the antiphon is repeated. Then the priest says Our Father (the rest inaudibly until:)
P: And lead us not into temptation.
All: But deliver us from evil.
P: Many shall come from Saba.
All: Bearing gold and incense.
P: Lord, heed my prayer.
All: And let my cry be heard by you.
P: The Lord be with you.
All: And with your spirit.
Let us pray.
God, who on this day revealed your only-begotten Son to all nations by the guidance of a star, grant that we who now know you by faith may finally behold you in your heavenly majesty; through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
Responsory: Be enlightened and shine forth, O Jerusalem, for your light is come; and upon you is risen the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ born of the Virgin Mary.
P: Nations shall walk in your light, and kings in the splendor of- your birth.
All: And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.
Let us pray.
Lord God almighty, bless this home, and under its shelter let there be health, chastity, self-conquest, humility, goodness, mildness, obedience to your commandments, and thanksgiving to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. May your blessing remain always in this home and on those who live here; through Christ our Lord. All: Amen.

This prayer has been taken from the following website.

The form from the more recent Book of Blessings is here, and can be done. I added to this the directions for chalking the door in brackets. While there is no indication for using the chalk and holy water for the newer rite, it would be in greater continuity with our tradition. If you do not have blessed chalk or holy water, however, you can still say the prayer of blessing for your home.

All make the sign of the cross as the minister says:

Blessed be the name of the Lord.

All reply:

Now and for ever.

One of those present or the minister reads a text of sacred Scripture, for example:

READING

Listen to the words of the holy gospel according to Luke:

Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town. Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.” And he came down quickly and received him with joy. When they all saw this, they began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner.” But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come in this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham.

PRAYER OF BLESSING

Lord God of heaven and earth,
you revealed your only-begotten Son to every nation
by the guidance of a star.

Bless this house
and all who inhabit it.
Fill them with the light of Christ,
that their concern for others may reflect your love.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R/. Amen.

[After the prayer of blessing, the leader may sprinkle holy water in the rooms of the house. Then the people may take chalk, previously blessed by a priest, and inscribe on the lintels of the main door to the home a) the first two digits for the year; b) + C + M + B +; c) the last two digits of the year. E.g., for the year 2010, it would read 20 + C + M + B + 10. One might go to a priest some days beforehand and ask him to bless the chalk.]

I hope this may help you celebrate this day.

Additionally, today is an excellent day for remembering Migrants and Itinerants. Here is a prayer from the book Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers:

Dear Jesus you came into this world as a migrant We welcome you, Jesus
There was no room for your family at the inn We welcome you, Jesus
Along with the angels in heaven We welcome you, Jesus
Along with the shepherds who wandered the hills We welcome you, Jesus
Along with the Magi who traveled from the East We welcome you, Jesus
Your family became refugees fleeing from Herod We welcome you, Jesus
In Egypt you were an alien We welcome you, Jesus
In your public life you did not have a place to rest We welcome you, Jesus

Dear Jesus, we see you today We welcome you, Jesus
In refugees fleeing war and violence We welcome you, Jesus
In immigrants seeking a better life We welcome you, Jesus
In migrant workers who enrich our land with their labor We welcome you, Jesus In seafarers and other people on the move We welcome you, Jesus

Let us pray. Dear Jesus, you are the refuge of people on the move. We ask you to grant immigrants, refugees, and other migrants peace, protection, and comfort. Help us to recognize that whenever we welcome the stranger in your name, we welcome you. Teach us to recognize your presence in every human being. Bring us together as one family, at the banquet table of your love, with you who live and reign with the Father, and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
R/. Amen.

Also, as we commemorate the Magi giving gold, frankincense and myrrh to the Lord, today would be an excellent day for giving gifts that are particularly religious, in the event that you already gave gifts on Christmas. Finally, if you didn't move your figures of the Magi into the Nativity scene last night, DO IT NOW (unless you are celebrating the Epiphany on Wednesday, of course)! I hope you enjoy a beautiful Solemnity of the Epiphany.

Month of January: The Holy Name of Jesus

2010-01-02T10:17:00.004-05:00

The Month of January is held in honor of the Holy Name of Jesus. Already yesterday, during the Gospel, we heard that, after he was circumcised, Jesus was given his name. In the old calendar, the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus was then celebrated on the Sunday between Jan. 1 and the Feast of the Epiphany (or on Jan. 2, if there was no intervening Sunday).

Under the rubrics of the new calendar, the Feast of the Holy Name was initially suppressed, and then restored as an optional memorial on Jan. 3 (Jan. 2 now celebrating Sts. Basil and Gregory Nazianzen, who are commemorated on Jan. 1 in the East). In the intervening time, however, much devotion to the Holy Name has certainly dried up.

Today would be an excellent time to remember to bow our heads when speaking his name (e.g., at the two points when we say his name in the Gloria). Further, we should recall that Our Salvation does have a name: that he is a person who was given by God the Father to us. Having just concluded Christmas, we have been reminded that God has been born for us as a little Child, and indeed now loves us with a human Heart. It reminds us to love him in return, and we know the name to call him.

Of the six approved Litanies, one is the Litany of the Holy Name. It would be good if we were to pray this name throughout this month. This prayer, carrying a partial indulgence, might be the best way to commemorate the Holy Name month, reminding us never to take it in vain. I hope that we can renew devotion to the Holy Name this year.

New Year's Day: Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, and World Day for Peace

2009-12-31T12:54:00.003-05:00

Today, I would still certainly ask people to continue to join in the prayer recommended by the Church. In particular, I would ask that people would join in the singing reciting or singing of the Te Deum, which carries a plenary indulgence for this day. I provided the current ICEL translation of this text in the previous post. Also, there is a recording of the Latin (and Latin text) over at the site of Cantemus Domino.

Additionally, if you have the opportunity, I would recommend that you take part in Eucharistic Adoration. If you have a copy of the Liturgy of the Hours, you can take part in some of the hours, including Vespers. This may be done as I suggested here, in accord with the practice in the Vatican. As a friend pointed out, if you celebrate the office of Matins (Office of Readings) as a vigil before midnight, you can also fulfill the plenary indulgence for the Te Deum (as the Te Deum is part of that particular Office.

Right now, however, I would wish to draw your attention to some observances for the day of Jan. 1, Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, and World Day for Peace. As a Marian Feast, it is appropriate to pray any number of Marian prayers, including the Rosary, Angelus, Alma Redemptoris Mater (Loving Mother of the Redeemer), etc. Given that this day is held in honor particularly of Mary's title as Mother of God, however, it seems worthy that one recite or sing the Akathistos hymn to the Mother of God. This is a hymn to Mary derived from the practice of the Eastern Church. While I know of no music for this hymn, there is an old practice of singing recto tono (on one single note) a liturgical text. Such could be applied in this case.

Additionally, there is a plenary indulgence for reciting or singing the hymn Veni Creator Spiritus on the first day of the year. This hymn is traditionally sung for beginnings of things, calling on the Holy Spirit before endeavoring something new. This prayer would be excellent to recite or chant before meditation on any occasion.

Finally, I would include this prayer for peace from the book Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers from the Bishops' Conference.

Immaculate Heart of Mary,
help us to conquer the menace of evil,
which so easily takes root in the hearts of the people of today,
and whose immeasurable effects
already weigh down upon our modern world
and seem to block the paths toward the future.
From famine and war, deliver us.
From nuclear war, from incalculable self-destruction, from every kind of war, deliver us.
From sins against human life from its beginning, deliver us.
From hatred and from the demeaning of the dignity of the children of God, deliver us.
From every kind of injustice in the life of society, both national and international, deliver us.
From readiness to trample on the commandments of God, deliver us.
From attempts to stifle in human hearts the very truth of God, deliver us.
From the loss of awareness of good and evil, deliver us.
From sins against the Holy Spirit, deliver us.

Accept, O Mother of Christ,
this cry laden with the sufferings of all individual human beings,
laden with the sufferings of whole socieities.
Help us with the power of the Holy Spirit to conquer all sin:
individual sin and the “sin of the world,”
sin in all its manifestations.
Let there be revealed once more in the history of the world
the infinite saving power of the redemption:
the power of merciful love.

May it put a stop to evil.
May it transform consciences.
May your Immaculate Heart reveal for all the light of hope.
Amen.

You may undertake to pray any or all of these prayers. It may sometimes be difficult to pray. We should take advantage of the prayers which have been provided by our tradition (as well as prayers reflecting our present difficulties as with the prayer provided just above). New Year's Day is a time to begin again. With the help of Our Lady's prayers, let us do it.

The Te Deum

2009-12-30T16:39:00.003-05:00

As mentioned in the previous post (which I hope you read), one can gain a plenary indulgence on Dec. 31 for reciting (or singing!) the hymn Te Deum Laudamus. The translation of this hymn currently on the liturgical books is as follows:

You are God: we praise you;
You are the Lord: we acclaim you;
You are the eternal Father:
All creation worships you.

To you all angels, all the powers of heaven,
Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise:
Holy, holy, holy: Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.

The glorious company of apostles praise you.
The noble fellowship of martyrs praise you.
The white robed army of prophets praise you.

Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you:
Father, of majesty unbounded,
your true and only Son, worthy of all worship,
and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.

You, Christ are the king of glory,
the eternal Son of the Father.

When you became man to set us free
you did not spurn the virgin's womb.

You overcame the sting of death,
and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.

You are seated at God's right hand in glory.
We believe that you will come, and be our judge.

Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saintsto glory everlasting.

V. Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance.
R. Govern and uphold them now and always.
V. Day by day we bless you.
R. We praise your name for ever.
V. Keep us today, Lord, from all sin.
R. Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.
V. Lord, show us your love and mercy;
R. for we put our trust in you.
V. In you, Lord, is our hope:
R. and we shall never hope in vain.

I hope that, at a minimum, this hymn will be a part of your celebration of closing of the year. Also, if you get the chance, I recommend taking part in First Vespers of the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God, and Eucharistic Adoration (further described in the previous post).

The Closing of 2009: Vespers, Adoration, and Te Deum

2009-12-30T11:33:00.003-05:00

December 31, as the close of the civil year, has a dual purpose in the practice of the Church. It is a time both of penance for past sins, as well as thanksgiving for God's blessings throughout the year. The former practice may be seen primarily in the form of Eucharistic Adoration. The latter may be seen in the singing of the Te Deum.

The Directory of Popular Piety has the following to say about this day:

114. Popular piety has given rise to many pious exercises connected with 31 December. In many parts of the Western world the end of the civil year is celebrated on this day. This anniversary affords an opportunity for the faithful to reflect on "the mystery of time", which passes quickly and inexorably. Such should give rise to a dual feeling: of penance and sorrow for the sins committed during the year and for the lost occasions of grace; and of thanks to God for the graces and blessings He has given during the past year.

These sentiments have given rise to two pious exercises: prolonged exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, which afford an opportunity for the faithful and many religious communities for silent prayer; and the singing of the Te Deum as an act of community praise and thanksgiving to God for the graces received from Him as the year draws to a close(126).

Such a practice is occurring in St. Peter's in Rome, as may be seen at the Vatican Website. Here, a Booklet for the Celebration of Vespers with Exposition, Benediction, and the Te Deum may be seen. One will notice that Vespers begins as usual (though in this case processing to Tu es Petrus). After the Collect (Closing Prayer), the Blessed Sacrament is exposed, while the people may chant Ave Verum Corpus. After a some time of silent prayer, the Te Deum is sung. Then the Blessed Sacrament is incensed while the Tantum Ergo is sung. After the prayer, Benediction, reposition, and Divine Praises, an the seasonal Marian antiphon is sung (Alma Redemptoris Mater). At the conclusion, the hymn Adeste Fideles is sung.

Such a practice may be done in one's own parish or home. At the very least, one may recite the Te Deum. There is a plenary indulgence for reciting this hymn on the last day of the year. If one has a copy of the the Liturgy of the Hours, they may recite the office of Vespers (Evening Prayer), singing as much as there is music, and reciting the Te Deum after finishing Vespers. if you are near a Church where there is perpetual adoration, then you may certainly spend time in silent adoration there, and possibly even recite the Office of Vespers and Te Deum there. If you have the Mundelein Psalter, you could always sing as much of the Office as you can.

There are many musical settings of the Te Deum that are available. I tend to use the English version in the book By Flowing Waters. There are also a number of Latin versions that would be excellent, including that found in the Booklet Jubilate Deo, or even OCP's booklet Laus Tibi, Christe. All of these also have the traditional musical notation for the Alma Redemptoris Mater.

And of course, nothing prevents you from celebrating Adeste Fideles as the English "O Come, All Ye Faithful," or in its Latin version if you have one.

While it is probably too late to plan a celebration along the lines of that held in St. Peter's, we can always work toward doing so next year. You can always try to make such a work of devotion to God part of the life of your own parish. There are resources that can make a worthy celebration possible.

Feast of the Holy Innocents: Prayer for Unborn

2009-12-28T11:11:00.004-05:00

Today is the Feast of the Holy Innocents. It is held in honor of those children who were slaughtered by Herod once he learned of the imminent birth of the new King. As is wont to happen with rulers, his utmost goal was self-preservation of his station. For this, he is known to have even killed his own son on an occasion separate from the one commemorated today.

In doing so, he was not unusual from rulers of his age, or for that matter of any age. Indeed, his actions parallel the actions of the Pharaoh in Egypt. Such cold ruthlessness has been the means through which the stability of power has been maintained throughout history. We are fortunate to live in a society where the phrase "politics is a bloodsport" is a metaphor.

The commonality of his actions, however, in no way excuse them. Indeed, they remind us of the necessity to work for justice even when it is not convenient, and that ends can never justify means. There is never a justification for the senseless slaughter of innocent human life.

The Church has proclaimed as much throughout her long history. In the text of the Didache -- a document whose contents are from the first and second centuries -- we find condemnations of practices which were also quite common at the time, as well as common in our own time. Among these we see condemnations of abortion and infanticide. The latter was at the time at least as popular as the former.

On this day, the Church reminds us to pray for all the innocents who have been slaughtered for convenience or expedience. In our day, this is especially for victims of abortion. Moreover, she calls for a conversion of this world, especially those who may have committed this crime, to an ethic of life.

The following prayer from Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers is praiseworthy for keeping this day in remembrance of the victims of abortion.

Lord God,
ever caring and gentle,
we commit to your love these little ones,
quickened to life for so short a time.
Enfold them in your love.

We pray for all responsible for the death of these children.
Give them the gift of true repentance,
and comfort them with a full portion of your mercy.

Heavenly Father,
transform our selfishness and sin
and make us turn to your love.
Help us to embrace the Gospel of life
to repudiate sin, selfishness, and death,
and to live only as your children.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

The root of all sin, we could say, is making ourselves into God. It is claiming that we have power over God, and power over our neighbor. Jesus has shown us that if we wish to see heaven, we must serve rather than be served, and we must become like little children. In meditating on this feast, it is a reminder to me to rededicate myself as God's child. I hope this may be helpful to anyone else out there

Feast of the Holy Family: Consecrations and Blessings

2009-12-27T18:23:00.004-05:00

I understand the complaint of many traditionalists for moving the Feast of the Holy Family to the Sunday of the Octave of Christmas. For one thing, the chronology seems odd when you are at the Nativity one day (Christmas), Jesus is twelve years old (Holy Family), and Jesus is immediately reverted back to a newborn for his circumcision (Mary, Mother of God, New Year's).

Nevertheless, I am grateful for the opportunity to meditate on family life in this time. In particular, the Christmas season is an excellent opportunity for devotions related to the family. This is especially true for the Feast we celebrate today.

The Directory of Popular Piety says the following about this Feast:

The feast of the holy family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph (Sunday in the Christmas octave) is a festive occasion particularly suitable for the celebration of rites or moments of prayer proper to the Christian family. The recollection of Joseph, Mary and Jesus' going up to Jerusalem, together with other observant Jewish families, for the celebration of the Passover (cf. Lk 2, 41-42), should normally encourage a positive acceptance of the pastoral suggestion that all members of the family attend Mass on this day. This feast day also affords an opportunity for the renewal of our entrustment to the patronage of the Holy Family of Nazareth(120); the blessing of children as provided in the ritual(121); and where opportune, for the renewal of marriage vows taken by the spouses on their wedding day, and also for the exchange of promises between those engaged to be married in which they formalize their desire to found a new Christian family(122).

With this in mind, I think that it would be opportune to focus on an Act of Consecration to the Holy Family as well as the Blessing of Sons and Daughters.

One Act of Consecration to the Holy Family may be found here. While it is no longer indulgenced, this in no way is a diminution of the beauty and worthiness of this prayer.

The Order of Blessing of Sons and Daughters (not to be confused with the Order of Blessing of Children, which should be performed by a priest) may be found in the Shorter Book of Blessings (or the larger one as well).

While I may not be able to print the whole of the Rite, I think that the following prayer of blessing may be appropriate to post, so that others may see the contents of this prayer. The following prayer of blessing is the one to be used by a parent, rather than by a priest or deacon:

Father, inexhaustible source of life and author of all that is good, we bless you and we thank you for brightening our communion of love by your gift of children.
Grant that your children (child) will find in the life of this family such inspiration that they (he/she) will strive always for what is right and good and one day, by your grace, reach their (his/her) home in heaven.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

I hope that this may aid in your celebration of the Feast of the Holy Family.

Chant Fonts for Prayer Book

2009-12-22T20:38:00.003-05:00

I'm a relatively new user of Linux. I was told that my computer "rejected" Windows when my system shut down a few months ago. I'm generally happy with a lot of programs that I have on here, though I have met with great difficulty trying to add programs.

I saw on the CMAA website forum that there is a freeware program called Caecilia for writing Gregorian chant neumes. I hope that it is easy to use. However, I can't figure out how to install and run this program. I have attempted using various online instructions for installing and running Opentype fonts, but to no avail.

Does anybody know what can be done for this problem? I'd be happy to know.

Bl. Andre Bessette to be Canonized

2009-12-20T12:02:00.003-05:00

I didn't realize this right away in the recent list of decrees for causes of saints, but a second miracle has been approved for Bl. Andre Bessette of Canada. This is one saint who, for part of his life, also graced the lands of the United States. So much of the focus had been on the decrees of heroic virtue of Ven. John Paul II, Ven. Pius XII, and to a lesser degree, Ven. Mary Ward, as well as the imminent canonization of Bl. Mary MacKillop, that this slipped under the radar.

The Collect for Bl. Andre Bessette's feast on Jan. 6 is given below:

Lord our God, friend of the lowly,
you gave your servant, Brother Andre,
a great devotion to St. Joseph
and a special commitment to the poor and afflicted.
Through his intercession
help us to follow his example of prayer and love
and so come to share with him in your glory.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

There is a good Wikipedia article for those unfamiliar with this saint. Also, it appears that there have been a few others who have posted on him, whose posts may be found via the Catholic Blogs search field, now located on the right side of this blog or you can just follow this link)!

Support for New Translation of the Roman Missal

2009-12-18T21:14:00.003-05:00

This November, our bishops, and all bishops in the English speaking world who had not aready done so, gave their support to the new translation of the Roman Missal. This book contains the text of the prayers which are used during the Holy Mass.

The Latin text of the Missal was revised in 2002. Since then there have been significant delays to implementing a faithful translation of the these prayers. Some have protested implementing the new translation, even starting a petition to further obstruct the mind of the Church. It has come to my petition from Fr. Z's post, found here, that there is also a petition to avoid any further delaying tactics.

I strongly urge anyone and everyone to join in this endeavor to demand faithful translations of the Roman Missal. It is time to speak up for having our sacred patrimony revealed in all its splendor. The petition may be found here.

Upcoming Christmas Novena

2009-12-15T19:48:00.004-05:00

I hope that all are preparing to celebrate the Christmas Novena. There are any number of Christmas novenas out there. Perhaps the best of them draw from the "O" Antiphons, which became the basis for the Hymn "O Come, O Come Emannuel".

One may simply sing or say these antiphons if one so chooses, perhaps followed by an Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be. Perhaps another choice would be to pray Vespers from the Liturgy of the Hours, which incorporates the original seven "O" Antiphons. Perhaps, you may wish to sing the original Latin antiphons before the Magnificat of each day.

I hope that all is well with all of you. I hope we all prepare the way for the Lord as the Season of Advent begins to ramp up toward the Solemnity of the Nativity.

Day 9: Immaculate Conception Novena

2009-12-07T11:31:00.004-05:00

And thus we round out our preparation for the Immaculate Conception Novena. I hope that this time of preparation has been fruitful for all of you. Please feel free to leave any comments about the novena. And off we go with the prayers:

HYMN

Immaculate Mary, thy praises we sing;
Who reignest in splendor with Jesus our King.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

In heaven, the blessed thy glory proclaim;
On earth we, thy children, invoke thy fair name.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

We pray for God's glory; may His kingdom come;
We pray for His vicar, our father, and Rome.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

We pray for our Mother, the Church upon earth,
And bless, dearest Lady, the land of our birth.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

READING

Dec. 7 (Lk. 1:26-38)

Lec. From the holy gospel according to Luke.

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, "Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you." But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." But Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?" And the angel said to her in reply, "The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God." Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.

V. Lord our God,
who fulfilled the purpose of the Immaculate Conception
in the Annunciation to our Lady,
deign to give us gratitude
for her cooperation with your grace,
which bore the fruit of the Life for the world,
through the same Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.

LITANY OF LORETO

Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy

God our Father in 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

Holy Mary pray for us
Holy Mother of God pray for us
Most honored of virgins pray for us
Mother of Christ pray for us
Mother of the Church pray for us
Mother of divine grace pray for us
Mother most pure pray for us
Mother of chaste love pray for us
Mother and Virgin pray for us
Sinless Mother pray for us
Dearest of Mothers pray for us
Model of motherhood pray for us
Mother of good counsel pray for us
Mother of our Creator pray for us
Mother of our Savior pray for us
Virgin most wise pray for us
Virgin rightly praised pray for us
Virgin rightly renowned pray for us
Virgin most powerful pray for us
Virgin gentle in mercy pray for us
Faithful Virgin pray for us
Mirror of justice pray for us
Throne of wisdom pray for us
Cause of our joy pray for us
Shrine of the Spirit pray for us
Glory of Israel pray for us
Vessel of selfless devotion pray for us
Mystical Rose pray for us
Tower of David pray for us
Tower of ivory pray for us
House of gold pray for us
Ark of the covenant pray for us
Gate of heaven pray for us
Morning Star pray for us
Health of the sick pray for us
Refuge of sinners pray for us
Comfort of the troubled pray for us
Help of Christians pray for us
Queen of angels pray for us
Queen of patriarchs and prophets pray for us
Queen of apostles and martyrs pray for us
Queen of confessors and virgins pray for us
Queen of all saints pray for us
Queen conceived without sin pray for us
Queen assumed into heaven pray for us
Queen of the rosary pray for us
Queen of families pray for us
Queen of peace pray for us

Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
V. Pray for us, Holy Mother of God
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. Eternal God, let your people enjoy constant health in mind and body. Through the intercession of the Virgin Mary free us from the sorrows of this life and lead us to happiness in the life to come. Grant this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.

NOVENA PRAYER

V: In your conception, O Virgin Mary, you were immaculate.
R: Pray for us to the Father, whose Son Jesus, after He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, you brought forth into the world.
V: To you, O Virgin Mary, who were never touched by any spot of original sin or actual sin.
R: I commend and entrust the purity of my heart.
V: O Mary, you entered the world without stain.
R: Obtain from God that I may leave it without sin.
V: O Mary, conceived without sin.
R: Pray for us who have recourse to you.
Let us Pray. O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin made ready a fitting dwelling for your Son, we beseech you, who kept her unspotted from all stain, by the foreseen precious death of your same Son, grant to us in like manner to be made clean through her intercession and so attain union with you. Through the same Christ our Lord.
R: Amen.
All: Blessed by the Holy and Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God.

HYMN

Hail Holy Queen enthron'd above, O Maria
Hail Mother of Mercy and of love O Maria

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

Our life our sweetness here below O Maria
Our hope in sorrow and in woe O Maria

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

We honour you for Christ, your Son, O Maria!
Who has for us redemption won, O Maria!

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

Day 8 Immaculate Conception Novena

2009-12-06T12:46:00.002-05:00

Happy Second Sunday of Advent, everybody! We are now also on our second to last day of the Immaculate Conception Novena. I hope that these prayers have been fruitful for you.

HYMN

Immaculate Mary, thy praises we sing;
Who reignest in splendor with Jesus our King.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

In heaven, the blessed thy glory proclaim;
On earth we, thy children, invoke thy fair name.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

We pray for God's glory; may His kingdom come;
We pray for His vicar, our father, and Rome.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

We pray for our Mother, the Church upon earth,
And bless, dearest Lady, the land of our birth.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

READING

Dec. 6 (Mi. 5:1-4a)
Lec. From the book of the prophet Micah.

But you, Bethlehem-Ephrathah too small to be among the clans of Judah, From you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel; Whose origin is from of old, from ancient times. (Therefore the Lord will give them up, until the time when she who is to give birth has borne, And the rest of his brethren shall return to the children of Israel.) He shall stand firm and shepherd his flock by the strength of the LORD, in the majestic name of the LORD, his God; And they shall remain, for now his greatness shall reach to the ends of the earth; he shall be peace.

V. God almighty,
who preserved the Virgin Mary
from the stain of Original Sin,
preparing a suitable place for your Son to dwell,
grant, we beg, that we may see his greatness
and know his peace,
through the same Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
LITANY OF LORETO

Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy

God our Father in 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

Holy Mary pray for us
Holy Mother of God pray for us
Most honored of virgins pray for us
Mother of Christ pray for us
Mother of the Church pray for us
Mother of divine grace pray for us
Mother most pure pray for us
Mother of chaste love pray for us
Mother and Virgin pray for us
Sinless Mother pray for us
Dearest of Mothers pray for us
Model of motherhood pray for us
Mother of good counsel pray for us
Mother of our Creator pray for us
Mother of our Savior pray for us
Virgin most wise pray for us
Virgin rightly praised pray for us
Virgin rightly renowned pray for us
Virgin most powerful pray for us
Virgin gentle in mercy pray for us
Faithful Virgin pray for us
Mirror of justice pray for us
Throne of wisdom pray for us
Cause of our joy pray for us
Shrine of the Spirit pray for us
Glory of Israel pray for us
Vessel of selfless devotion pray for us
Mystical Rose pray for us
Tower of David pray for us
Tower of ivory pray for us
House of gold pray for us
Ark of the covenant pray for us
Gate of heaven pray for us
Morning Star pray for us
Health of the sick pray for us
Refuge of sinners pray for us
Comfort of the troubled pray for us
Help of Christians pray for us
Queen of angels pray for us
Queen of patriarchs and prophets pray for us
Queen of apostles and martyrs pray for us
Queen of confessors and virgins pray for us
Queen of all saints pray for us
Queen conceived without sin pray for us
Queen assumed into heaven pray for us
Queen of the rosary pray for us
Queen of families pray for us
Queen of peace pray for us

Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
V. Pray for us, Holy Mother of God
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. Eternal God, let your people enjoy constant health in mind and body. Through the intercession of the Virgin Mary free us from the sorrows of this life and lead us to happiness in the life to come. Grant this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.

NOVENA PRAYER

V: In your conception, O Virgin Mary, you were immaculate.
R: Pray for us to the Father, whose Son Jesus, after He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, you brought forth into the world.
V: To you, O Virgin Mary, who were never touched by any spot of original sin or actual sin.
R: I commend and entrust the purity of my heart.
V: O Mary, you entered the world without stain.
R: Obtain from God that I may leave it without sin.
V: O Mary, conceived without sin.
R: Pray for us who have recourse to you.
Let us Pray. O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin made ready a fitting dwelling for your Son, we beseech you, who kept her unspotted from all stain, by the foreseen precious death of your same Son, grant to us in like manner to be made clean through her intercession and so attain union with you. Through the same Christ our Lord.
R: Amen.
All: Blessed by the Holy and Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God.

HYMN

Hail Holy Queen enthron'd above, O Maria
Hail Mother of Mercy and of love O Maria

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

Our life our sweetness here below O Maria
Our hope in sorrow and in woe O Maria

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

We honour you for Christ, your Son, O Maria!
Who has for us redemption won, O Maria!

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

Day 7: Immaculate Conception Novena

2009-12-05T10:29:00.003-05:00

We are now down to the last third of the Immaculate Conception Novena. I hope everyone is having a blessed Advent. The prayers follow:

HYMN

Immaculate Mary, thy praises we sing;
Who reignest in splendor with Jesus our King.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

In heaven, the blessed thy glory proclaim;
On earth we, thy children, invoke thy fair name.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

We pray for God's glory; may His kingdom come;
We pray for His vicar, our father, and Rome.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

We pray for our Mother, the Church upon earth,
And bless, dearest Lady, the land of our birth.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

READING

Dec. 5 (Is. 7:10-16)

Lec. From the book of the prophet Isaiah.

Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz: Ask for a sign from the LORD, your God; let it be deep as the nether world, or high as the sky! But Ahaz answered, "I will not ask! I will not tempt the LORD!" Then he said: Listen, O house of David! Is it not enough for you to weary men, must you also weary my God? Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall be living on curds and honey by the time he learns to reject the bad and choose the good. For before the child learns to reject the bad and choose the good, the land of those two kings whom you dread shall be deserted.

V. O God,
who espoused the inviolate Virgin,
whom you had preserved from sin
from the moment of her Conception,
deign to lead us who honor her Immaculate Conception
to join you at the wedding feast of heaven,
through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.

LITANY OF LORETO

Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy

God our Father in 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

Holy Mary pray for us
Holy Mother of God pray for us
Most honored of virgins pray for us
Mother of Christ pray for us
Mother of the Church pray for us
Mother of divine grace pray for us
Mother most pure pray for us
Mother of chaste love pray for us
Mother and Virgin pray for us
Sinless Mother pray for us
Dearest of Mothers pray for us
Model of motherhood pray for us
Mother of good counsel pray for us
Mother of our Creator pray for us
Mother of our Savior pray for us
Virgin most wise pray for us
Virgin rightly praised pray for us
Virgin rightly renowned pray for us
Virgin most powerful pray for us
Virgin gentle in mercy pray for us
Faithful Virgin pray for us
Mirror of justice pray for us
Throne of wisdom pray for us
Cause of our joy pray for us
Shrine of the Spirit pray for us
Glory of Israel pray for us
Vessel of selfless devotion pray for us
Mystical Rose pray for us
Tower of David pray for us
Tower of ivory pray for us
House of gold pray for us
Ark of the covenant pray for us
Gate of heaven pray for us
Morning Star pray for us
Health of the sick pray for us
Refuge of sinners pray for us
Comfort of the troubled pray for us
Help of Christians pray for us
Queen of angels pray for us
Queen of patriarchs and prophets pray for us
Queen of apostles and martyrs pray for us
Queen of confessors and virgins pray for us
Queen of all saints pray for us
Queen conceived without sin pray for us
Queen assumed into heaven pray for us
Queen of the rosary pray for us
Queen of families pray for us
Queen of peace pray for us

Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
V. Pray for us, Holy Mother of God
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. Eternal God, let your people enjoy constant health in mind and body. Through the intercession of the Virgin Mary free us from the sorrows of this life and lead us to happiness in the life to come. Grant this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.

NOVENA PRAYER

V: In your conception, O Virgin Mary, you were immaculate.
R: Pray for us to the Father, whose Son Jesus, after He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, you brought forth into the world.
V: To you, O Virgin Mary, who were never touched by any spot of original sin or actual sin.
R: I commend and entrust the purity of my heart.
V: O Mary, you entered the world without stain.
R: Obtain from God that I may leave it without sin.
V: O Mary, conceived without sin.
R: Pray for us who have recourse to you.
Let us Pray. O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin made ready a fitting dwelling for your Son, we beseech you, who kept her unspotted from all stain, by the foreseen precious death of your same Son, grant to us in like manner to be made clean through her intercession and so attain union with you. Through the same Christ our Lord.
R: Amen.
All: Blessed by the Holy and Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God.

HYMN

Hail Holy Queen enthron'd above, O Maria
Hail Mother of Mercy and of love O Maria

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

Our life our sweetness here below O Maria
Our hope in sorrow and in woe O Maria

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

We honour you for Christ, your Son, O Maria!
Who has for us redemption won, O Maria!

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

The Upcoming Christmas Novena

2009-12-04T11:17:00.003-05:00

I feel a little stupid looking over the antiphons for the Magnificat for the Liturgy of the Hours during Dec. 17-23. As it turns out, they already have the "O" antiphons. I don't know why I never realized this.

If doing the novena according to the specifications of the Directory of Popular Piety, there may be a problem for me putting it on this site. For one thing, it would be using the text of Vespers (Evening Prayer) from the Liturgy of the Hours.

The full text of what the Directory says on this novena are as follows:

103. The Christmas novena began as a means of communicating the riches of the Liturgy to the faithful who were unable easily to grasp it. It has played a very effective role and can continue to play such a role. At the same time, in current conditions where the faithful have easier access to the Liturgy, it would seem desirable that vespers from the 17-23 of December should be more solemn by adopting the use of the "major antiphons", and by inviting the faithful to participate at the celebration. Such a celebration, held either before of after which the popular devotions to which the faithful are particularly attached, would be an ideal "Christmas novena", in full conformity with the Liturgy and mindful of the needs of the faithful. Some elements, such as the homily, the use of incense, and the intercessions, could also be expanded within the celebration of Vespers.

Therefore, since I don't have permission from ICEL, it might be best to only do a traditional Christmas Novena. This would consist of the "O"Antiphon for the day, followed by one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be, from December 16-24. I also hope to add an original hymn for Las Posadas during this same period. A description of this devotion will be given later.

Day 6: Immaculate Conception Novena

2009-12-04T09:36:00.003-05:00

Off we go to Day 6. I hope that everyone is having a blessed a fruitful Advent.

HYMN

Immaculate Mary, thy praises we sing;
Who reignest in splendor with Jesus our King.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

In heaven, the blessed thy glory proclaim;
On earth we, thy children, invoke thy fair name.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

We pray for God's glory; may His kingdom come;
We pray for His vicar, our father, and Rome.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

We pray for our Mother, the Church upon earth,
And bless, dearest Lady, the land of our birth.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

READING

Dec. 4 (Is. 61:9-11)
Lec. From the book of the prophet Isaiah

Their descendants shall be renowned among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; All who see them shall acknowledge them as a race the LORD has blessed. I rejoice heartily in the LORD, in my God is the joy of my soul; For he has clothed me with a robe of salvation, and wrapped me in a mantle of justice, Like a bridegroom adorned with a diadem, like a bride bedecked with her jewels. As the earth brings forth its plants, and a garden makes its growth spring up, So will the Lord GOD make justice and praise spring up before all the nations.

V. All-loving God,
who robed the Virgin with the salvation of Christ
from the moment of her Conception,
grant to us, entrusted to her by Christ,
the grace to honor you
by commending her Holy and Immaculate Conception
through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.

LITANY OF LORETO

Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy

God our Father in 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

Holy Mary pray for us
Holy Mother of God pray for us
Most honored of virgins pray for us
Mother of Christ pray for us
Mother of the Church pray for us
Mother of divine grace pray for us
Mother most pure pray for us
Mother of chaste love pray for us
Mother and Virgin pray for us
Sinless Mother pray for us
Dearest of Mothers pray for us
Model of motherhood pray for us
Mother of good counsel pray for us
Mother of our Creator pray for us
Mother of our Savior pray for us
Virgin most wise pray for us
Virgin rightly praised pray for us
Virgin rightly renowned pray for us
Virgin most powerful pray for us
Virgin gentle in mercy pray for us
Faithful Virgin pray for us
Mirror of justice pray for us
Throne of wisdom pray for us
Cause of our joy pray for us
Shrine of the Spirit pray for us
Glory of Israel pray for us
Vessel of selfless devotion pray for us
Mystical Rose pray for us
Tower of David pray for us
Tower of ivory pray for us
House of gold pray for us
Ark of the covenant pray for us
Gate of heaven pray for us
Morning Star pray for us
Health of the sick pray for us
Refuge of sinners pray for us
Comfort of the troubled pray for us
Help of Christians pray for us
Queen of angels pray for us
Queen of patriarchs and prophets pray for us
Queen of apostles and martyrs pray for us
Queen of confessors and virgins pray for us
Queen of all saints pray for us
Queen conceived without sin pray for us
Queen assumed into heaven pray for us
Queen of the rosary pray for us
Queen of families pray for us
Queen of peace pray for us

Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
V. Pray for us, Holy Mother of God
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. Eternal God, let your people enjoy constant health in mind and body. Through the intercession of the Virgin Mary free us from the sorrows of this life and lead us to happiness in the life to come. Grant this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.

NOVENA PRAYER

V: In your conception, O Virgin Mary, you were immaculate.
R: Pray for us to the Father, whose Son Jesus, after He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, you brought forth into the world.
V: To you, O Virgin Mary, who were never touched by any spot of original sin or actual sin.
R: I commend and entrust the purity of my heart.
V: O Mary, you entered the world without stain.
R: Obtain from God that I may leave it without sin.
V: O Mary, conceived without sin.
R: Pray for us who have recourse to you.
Let us Pray. O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin made ready a fitting dwelling for your Son, we beseech you, who kept her unspotted from all stain, by the foreseen precious death of your same Son, grant to us in like manner to be made clean through her intercession and so attain union with you. Through the same Christ our Lord.
R: Amen.
All: Blessed by the Holy and Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God.

HYMN

Hail Holy Queen enthron'd above, O Maria
Hail Mother of Mercy and of love O Maria

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

Our life our sweetness here below O Maria
Our hope in sorrow and in woe O Maria

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

We honour you for Christ, your Son, O Maria!
Who has for us redemption won, O Maria!

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

Progress Continues . . .

2009-12-02T23:57:00.003-05:00

Owing to the Thanksgiving Holiday, I have not spent as much time on the Prayerbook Project as I would have hoped. I knew that to start the Advent Season that I would want to post the prayers for the Immaculate Conception Novena. All of the blogposts are already written, but I thought that it might be more fun for all of you who read this to introduce the prayers day by day.

I have thought about posting a Christmas Novena as well. It is still very much under construction, but it can certainly be issued soon. The difficulty is the Directory of Popular Piety requested that this particular Novena be an expansion of the prayer of Vespers (adding in the "O" Antiphons, expanding the intercessions, using incense). In theory this sounds easy, but one would need to account for all the possible psalms that could fall on all the possible days. Such would be difficult in the prayer book iteslf, but might be handled in an annual booklet.

The solution from A Prayer Book of Catholic Devotions was simply create something perhaps inspired by Vespers. It starts with a hymn, omits any psalms, then proceeds with a reading, the O Antiphon, Magnificat, Litany of Loreto, and concluding prayer. I understand the temptation to do something of the sort, but I don't think that it would suffice. Of course, there is simply praying (reciting or singing) the O Antiphons, followed by the one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory be. While I will certainly include this option, especially for families, it seems to me that there should be something more substantial for parishes.

I don't yet know how to solve this problem. I will, however, have to find an answer soon. Stay tuned!

Day 5: Immaculate Conception Novena

2009-12-01T09:58:00.002-05:00

And thus we move on. I hope everyone is having a blessed Advent.

HYMN

Immaculate Mary, thy praises we sing;
Who reignest in splendor with Jesus our King.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

In heaven, the blessed thy glory proclaim;
On earth we, thy children, invoke thy fair name.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

We pray for God's glory; may His kingdom come;
We pray for His vicar, our father, and Rome.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

We pray for our Mother, the Church upon earth,
And bless, dearest Lady, the land of our birth.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

READING

Dec. 3 (1 Chr. 15:3-4, 15-16; 16:1-2)
Lec. From the first book of Chronicles.

Then David assembled all Israel in Jerusalem to bring the ark of the LORD to the place which he had prepared for it. David also called together the sons of Aaron and the Levites. The Levites bore the ark of God on their shoulders with poles, as Moses had ordained according to the word of the LORD. David commanded the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their brethren as chanters, to play on musical instruments, harps, lyres, and cymbals, to make a loud sound of rejoicing. They brought in the ark of God and set it within the tent which David had pitched for it. Then they offered up holocausts and peace offerings to God. When David had finished offering up the holocausts and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD.

V. God our Father,
as the people of Israel welcomed the ark
into the Holy City of Jerusalem,
grant us the courage to welcome
the ark of the New Covenant into our hearts
through whom Jesus our Salvation has come,
through the same Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.

LITANY OF LORETO

Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy

God our Father in 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

Holy Mary pray for us
Holy Mother of God pray for us
Most honored of virgins pray for us
Mother of Christ pray for us
Mother of the Church pray for us
Mother of divine grace pray for us
Mother most pure pray for us
Mother of chaste love pray for us
Mother and Virgin pray for us
Sinless Mother pray for us
Dearest of Mothers pray for us
Model of motherhood pray for us
Mother of good counsel pray for us
Mother of our Creator pray for us
Mother of our Savior pray for us
Virgin most wise pray for us
Virgin rightly praised pray for us
Virgin rightly renowned pray for us
Virgin most powerful pray for us
Virgin gentle in mercy pray for us
Faithful Virgin pray for us
Mirror of justice pray for us
Throne of wisdom pray for us
Cause of our joy pray for us
Shrine of the Spirit pray for us
Glory of Israel pray for us
Vessel of selfless devotion pray for us
Mystical Rose pray for us
Tower of David pray for us
Tower of ivory pray for us
House of gold pray for us
Ark of the covenant pray for us
Gate of heaven pray for us
Morning Star pray for us
Health of the sick pray for us
Refuge of sinners pray for us
Comfort of the troubled pray for us
Help of Christians pray for us
Queen of angels pray for us
Queen of patriarchs and prophets pray for us
Queen of apostles and martyrs pray for us
Queen of confessors and virgins pray for us
Queen of all saints pray for us
Queen conceived without sin pray for us
Queen assumed into heaven pray for us
Queen of the rosary pray for us
Queen of families pray for us
Queen of peace pray for us

Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
V. Pray for us, Holy Mother of God
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. Eternal God, let your people enjoy constant health in mind and body. Through the intercession of the Virgin Mary free us from the sorrows of this life and lead us to happiness in the life to come. Grant this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.

NOVENA PRAYER

V: In your conception, O Virgin Mary, you were immaculate.
R: Pray for us to the Father, whose Son Jesus, after He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, you brought forth into the world.
V: To you, O Virgin Mary, who were never touched by any spot of original sin or actual sin.
R: I commend and entrust the purity of my heart.
V: O Mary, you entered the world without stain.
R: Obtain from God that I may leave it without sin.
V: O Mary, conceived without sin.
R: Pray for us who have recourse to you.
Let us Pray. O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin made ready a fitting dwelling for your Son, we beseech you, who kept her unspotted from all stain, by the foreseen precious death of your same Son, grant to us in like manner to be made clean through her intercession and so attain union with you. Through the same Christ our Lord.
R: Amen.
All: Blessed by the Holy and Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God.

HYMN

Hail Holy Queen enthron'd above, O Maria
Hail Mother of Mercy and of love O Maria

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

Our life our sweetness here below O Maria
Our hope in sorrow and in woe O Maria

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

We honour you for Christ, your Son, O Maria!
Who has for us redemption won, O Maria!

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

Day 4: Immaculate Conception Novena

2009-12-01T09:54:00.004-05:00

We now move on to the fourth day of the Immaculate Conception Novena. As with all things in Advent, the time quickly approaches. Even if you have not followed the previous days, feel free to pray these novena prayers. Also, feel free to leave suggestions as to how they may be improved, in light of how the novena might be celebrated in your family or parish. I would recommend singing the two hymns, as well as the Litany (sung like the Litany of Saints). And now for the prayer itself:

HYMN

Immaculate Mary, thy praises we sing;
Who reignest in splendor with Jesus our King.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

In heaven, the blessed thy glory proclaim;
On earth we, thy children, invoke thy fair name.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

We pray for God's glory; may His kingdom come;
We pray for His vicar, our father, and Rome.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

We pray for our Mother, the Church upon earth,
And bless, dearest Lady, the land of our birth.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

READING

Dec. 2 (Ex. 25:10-16)

Lec. From the book of Exodus.

"You shall make an ark of acacia wood, two and a half cubits long, one and a half cubits wide, and one and a half cubits high. Plate it inside and outside with pure gold, and put a molding of gold around the top of it. Cast four gold rings and fasten them on the four supports of the ark, two rings on one side and two on the opposite side. Then make poles of acacia wood and plate them with gold. These poles you are to put through the rings on the sides of the ark, for carrying it; they must remain in the rings of the ark and never be withdrawn. In the ark you are to put the commandments which I will give you.”

V. Lord God,
who ordered that the Ark of the Covenant
be made of immaculate wood,
prefiguring the Immaculate dwelling of our Lord,
grant that our hearts be renewed
to provide a fitting dwelling for your Spirit,
through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
LITANY OF LORETO

Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy

God our Father in 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

Holy Mary pray for us
Holy Mother of God pray for us
Most honored of virgins pray for us
Mother of Christ pray for us
Mother of the Church pray for us
Mother of divine grace pray for us
Mother most pure pray for us
Mother of chaste love pray for us
Mother and Virgin pray for us
Sinless Mother pray for us
Dearest of Mothers pray for us
Model of motherhood pray for us
Mother of good counsel pray for us
Mother of our Creator pray for us
Mother of our Savior pray for us
Virgin most wise pray for us
Virgin rightly praised pray for us
Virgin rightly renowned pray for us
Virgin most powerful pray for us
Virgin gentle in mercy pray for us
Faithful Virgin pray for us
Mirror of justice pray for us
Throne of wisdom pray for us
Cause of our joy pray for us
Shrine of the Spirit pray for us
Glory of Israel pray for us
Vessel of selfless devotion pray for us
Mystical Rose pray for us
Tower of David pray for us
Tower of ivory pray for us
House of gold pray for us
Ark of the covenant pray for us
Gate of heaven pray for us
Morning Star pray for us
Health of the sick pray for us
Refuge of sinners pray for us
Comfort of the troubled pray for us
Help of Christians pray for us
Queen of angels pray for us
Queen of patriarchs and prophets pray for us
Queen of apostles and martyrs pray for us
Queen of confessors and virgins pray for us
Queen of all saints pray for us
Queen conceived without sin pray for us
Queen assumed into heaven pray for us
Queen of the rosary pray for us
Queen of families pray for us
Queen of peace pray for us

Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
V. Pray for us, Holy Mother of God
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. Eternal God, let your people enjoy constant health in mind and body. Through the intercession of the Virgin Mary free us from the sorrows of this life and lead us to happiness in the life to come. Grant this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.

NOVENA PRAYER

V: In your conception, O Virgin Mary, you were immaculate.
R: Pray for us to the Father, whose Son Jesus, after He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, you brought forth into the world.
V: To you, O Virgin Mary, who were never touched by any spot of original sin or actual sin.
R: I commend and entrust the purity of my heart.
V: O Mary, you entered the world without stain.
R: Obtain from God that I may leave it without sin.
V: O Mary, conceived without sin.
R: Pray for us who have recourse to you.
Let us Pray. O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin made ready a fitting dwelling for your Son, we beseech you, who kept her unspotted from all stain, by the foreseen precious death of your same Son, grant to us in like manner to be made clean through her intercession and so attain union with you. Through the same Christ our Lord.
R: Amen.
All: Blessed by the Holy and Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God.

HYMN

Hail Holy Queen enthron'd above, O Maria
Hail Mother of Mercy and of love O Maria

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

Our life our sweetness here below O Maria
Our hope in sorrow and in woe O Maria

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

We honour you for Christ, your Son, O Maria!
Who has for us redemption won, O Maria!

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

Day 3: Immaculate Conception Novena

2009-12-01T09:47:00.003-05:00

We are now on Day 3 of Advent, as well as Day 3 of the Immaculate Conception Novena. If you have any comments on how this devotion may be improved, please feel free to comment. Also, please pray this devotion. Even if you have not held the last two days, there's no shame in preparing for this great feast for the rest of the week! May Our Lady guide us toward Christ.

HYMN

Immaculate Mary, thy praises we sing;
Who reignest in splendor with Jesus our King.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

In heaven, the blessed thy glory proclaim;
On earth we, thy children, invoke thy fair name.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

We pray for God's glory; may His kingdom come;
We pray for His vicar, our father, and Rome.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

We pray for our Mother, the Church upon earth,
And bless, dearest Lady, the land of our birth.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

READING

Dec. 1 (Sngs. 4:6-8)

Lec. From the Song of Songs.

Until the day breathes cool and the shadows lengthen,
I will go to the mountain of myrrh,
to the hill of incense. You are all-beautiful, my beloved,
and there is no blemish in you. Come from Lebanon, my bride,
come from Lebanon, come!
Descend from the top of Amana,
from the top of Senir and Hermon,
From the haunts of lions,
from the leopards' mountains.

V. O God,
who made the Virgin without blemish,
that she might in turn be espoused to the Holy Spirit,
grant, we ask, that our endeavor to give you honor
for the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin
will bear much fruit
through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.

LITANY OF LORETO

Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy

God our Father in 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

Holy Mary pray for us
Holy Mother of God pray for us
Most honored of virgins pray for us
Mother of Christ pray for us
Mother of the Church pray for us
Mother of divine grace pray for us
Mother most pure pray for us
Mother of chaste love pray for us
Mother and Virgin pray for us
Sinless Mother pray for us
Dearest of Mothers pray for us
Model of motherhood pray for us
Mother of good counsel pray for us
Mother of our Creator pray for us
Mother of our Savior pray for us
Virgin most wise pray for us
Virgin rightly praised pray for us
Virgin rightly renowned pray for us
Virgin most powerful pray for us
Virgin gentle in mercy pray for us
Faithful Virgin pray for us
Mirror of justice pray for us
Throne of wisdom pray for us
Cause of our joy pray for us
Shrine of the Spirit pray for us
Glory of Israel pray for us
Vessel of selfless devotion pray for us
Mystical Rose pray for us
Tower of David pray for us
Tower of ivory pray for us
House of gold pray for us
Ark of the covenant pray for us
Gate of heaven pray for us
Morning Star pray for us
Health of the sick pray for us
Refuge of sinners pray for us
Comfort of the troubled pray for us
Help of Christians pray for us
Queen of angels pray for us
Queen of patriarchs and prophets pray for us
Queen of apostles and martyrs pray for us
Queen of confessors and virgins pray for us
Queen of all saints pray for us
Queen conceived without sin pray for us
Queen assumed into heaven pray for us
Queen of the rosary pray for us
Queen of families pray for us
Queen of peace pray for us

Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
V. Pray for us, Holy Mother of God
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. Eternal God, let your people enjoy constant health in mind and body. Through the intercession of the Virgin Mary free us from the sorrows of this life and lead us to happiness in the life to come. Grant this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.

NOVENA PRAYER

V: In your conception, O Virgin Mary, you were immaculate.
R: Pray for us to the Father, whose Son Jesus, after He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, you brought forth into the world.
V: To you, O Virgin Mary, who were never touched by any spot of original sin or actual sin.
R: I commend and entrust the purity of my heart.
V: O Mary, you entered the world without stain.
R: Obtain from God that I may leave it without sin.
V: O Mary, conceived without sin.
R: Pray for us who have recourse to you.
Let us Pray. O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin made ready a fitting dwelling for your Son, we beseech you, who kept her unspotted from all stain, by the foreseen precious death of your same Son, grant to us in like manner to be made clean through her intercession and so attain union with you. Through the same Christ our Lord.
R: Amen.
All: Blessed by the Holy and Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God.

HYMN

Hail Holy Queen enthron'd above, O Maria
Hail Mother of Mercy and of love O Maria

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

Our life our sweetness here below O Maria
Our hope in sorrow and in woe O Maria

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

We honour you for Christ, your Son, O Maria!
Who has for us redemption won, O Maria!

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

Day 2: Immaculate Conception Novena

2009-11-30T11:52:00.003-05:00

Here is the second installment of the Immaculate Conception Novena, for this, the 30th of November (Feast of St. Andrew).

HYMN

Immaculate Mary, thy praises we sing;
Who reignest in splendor with Jesus our King.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

In heaven, the blessed thy glory proclaim;
On earth we, thy children, invoke thy fair name.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

We pray for God's glory; may His kingdom come;
We pray for His vicar, our father, and Rome.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

We pray for our Mother, the Church upon earth,
And bless, dearest Lady, the land of our birth.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

READINGS

Nov. 30 (Gen. 28: 10-17)

Lec. From the book of Genesis.

Jacob departed from Beer-sheba and proceeded toward Haran. When he came upon a certain shrine, as the sun had already set, he stopped there for the night. Taking one of the stones at the shrine, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep at that spot. Then he had a dream: a stairway rested on the ground, with its top reaching to the heavens; and God's messengers were going up and down on it. And there was the LORD standing beside him and saying: "I, the LORD, am the God of your forefather Abraham and the God of Isaac; the land on which you are lying I will give to you and your descendants. These shall be as plentiful as the dust of the earth, and through them you shall spread out east and west, north and south. In you and your descendants all the nations of the earth shall find blessing. Know that I am with you; I will protect you wherever you go, and bring you back to this land. I will never leave you until I have done what I promised you." When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he exclaimed, "Truly, the LORD is in this spot, although I did not know it!" In solemn wonder he cried out: "How awesome is this shrine! This is nothing else but an abode of God, and that is the gateway to heaven!"God almighty

V. God almighty,
as all nations have found blessing in Israel
by your providing a dwelling for your Son
in the womb of the Virgin,
deign to give us,
who were born or grafted into tree of Israel
the joy of celebrating
the conception of his first earthly dwelling
through the same Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.

LITANY OF LORETO

Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy

God our Father in 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

Holy Mary pray for us
Holy Mother of God pray for us
Most honored of virgins pray for us
Mother of Christ pray for us
Mother of the Church pray for us
Mother of divine grace pray for us
Mother most pure pray for us
Mother of chaste love pray for us
Mother and Virgin pray for us
Sinless Mother pray for us
Dearest of Mothers pray for us
Model of motherhood pray for us
Mother of good counsel pray for us
Mother of our Creator pray for us
Mother of our Savior pray for us
Virgin most wise pray for us
Virgin rightly praised pray for us
Virgin rightly renowned pray for us
Virgin most powerful pray for us
Virgin gentle in mercy pray for us
Faithful Virgin pray for us
Mirror of justice pray for us
Throne of wisdom pray for us
Cause of our joy pray for us
Shrine of the Spirit pray for us
Glory of Israel pray for us
Vessel of selfless devotion pray for us
Mystical Rose pray for us
Tower of David pray for us
Tower of ivory pray for us
House of gold pray for us
Ark of the covenant pray for us
Gate of heaven pray for us
Morning Star pray for us
Health of the sick pray for us
Refuge of sinners pray for us
Comfort of the troubled pray for us
Help of Christians pray for us
Queen of angels pray for us
Queen of patriarchs and prophets pray for us
Queen of apostles and martyrs pray for us
Queen of confessors and virgins pray for us
Queen of all saints pray for us
Queen conceived without sin pray for us
Queen assumed into heaven pray for us
Queen of the rosary pray for us
Queen of families pray for us
Queen of peace pray for us

Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
V. Pray for us, Holy Mother of God
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. Eternal God, let your people enjoy constant health in mind and body. Through the intercession of the Virgin Mary free us from the sorrows of this life and lead us to happiness in the life to come. Grant this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.

NOVENA PRAYER

V: In your conception, O Virgin Mary, you were immaculate.
R: Pray for us to the Father, whose Son Jesus, after He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, you brought forth into the world.
V: To you, O Virgin Mary, who were never touched by any spot of original sin or actual sin.
R: I commend and entrust the purity of my heart.
V: O Mary, you entered the world without stain.
R: Obtain from God that I may leave it without sin.
V: O Mary, conceived without sin.
R: Pray for us who have recourse to you.
Let us Pray. O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin made ready a fitting dwelling for your Son, we beseech you, who kept her unspotted from all stain, by the foreseen precious death of your same Son, grant to us in like manner to be made clean through her intercession and so attain union with you. Through the same Christ our Lord.
R: Amen.
All: Blessed by the Holy and Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God.

HYMN

Hail Holy Queen enthron'd above, O Maria
Hail Mother of Mercy and of love O Maria

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

Our life our sweetness here below O Maria
Our hope in sorrow and in woe O Maria

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

We honour you for Christ, your Son, O Maria!
Who has for us redemption won, O Maria!

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

Comments for how we might improve this devotion to Our Lady are welcome.

Day 1: Immaculate Conception Novena

2009-11-29T21:09:00.003-05:00

As promised, the Immaculate Conception Novena is here. I apologize for the delay. A five hour trip from Atlanta to Tallahassee took about eight hours (not to mention leaving a day late). Anyway, here it is:

HYMN

Immaculate Mary, thy praises we sing;
Who reignest in splendor with Jesus our King.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

In heaven, the blessed thy glory proclaim;
On earth we, thy children, invoke thy fair name.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

We pray for God's glory; may His kingdom come;
We pray for His vicar, our father, and Rome.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

We pray for our Mother, the Church upon earth,
And bless, dearest Lady, the land of our birth.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

READINGS

Nov. 29 (Gen. 3:6-15) Lec. From the book of Genesis. The woman saw that the tree was good for food, pleasing to the eyes, and desirable for gaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized that they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves. When they heard the sound of the LORD God moving about in the garden at the breezy time of the day, the man and his wife hid themselves from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. The LORD God then called to the man and asked him, "Where are you?" He answered, "I heard you in the garden; but I was afraid, because I was naked, so I hid myself." Then he asked, "Who told you that you were naked? You have eaten, then, from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat!" The man replied, "The woman whom you put here with me--she gave me fruit from the tree, so I ate it." The LORD God then asked the woman, "Why did you do such a thing?" The woman answered, "The serpent tricked me into it, so I ate it." Then the LORD God said to the serpent: "Because you have done this, you shall be banned from all the animals and from all the wild creatures; On your belly shall you crawl, and dirt shall you eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will strike at your head, while you strike at his heel."

V. Lord God,
just as you did not abandon us
when our First Parents rejected you
but foreshadowed our redemption
brought by the New Adam, born of the New Eve,
who would strike down the serpent and the sting of death
grant, we beg, the perseverance
to give due honor
as we prepare for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception,
through the same Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.

LITANY OF LORETO

Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy
God our Father in 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
Holy Mary pray for us
Holy Mother of God pray for us
Most honored of virgins pray for us
Mother of Christ pray for us
Mother of the Church pray for us
Mother of divine grace pray for us
Mother most pure pray for us
Mother of chaste love pray for us
Mother and Virgin pray for us
Sinless Mother pray for us
Dearest of Mothers pray for us
Model of motherhood pray for us
Mother of good counsel pray for us
Mother of our Creator pray for us
Mother of our Savior pray for us
Virgin most wise pray for us
Virgin rightly praised pray for us
Virgin rightly renowned pray for us
Virgin most powerful pray for us
Virgin gentle in mercy pray for us
Faithful Virgin pray for us
Mirror of justice pray for us
Throne of wisdom pray for us
Cause of our joy pray for us
Shrine of the Spirit pray for us
Glory of Israel pray for us
Vessel of selfless devotion pray for us
Mystical Rose pray for us
Tower of David pray for us
Tower of ivory pray for us
House of gold pray for us
Ark of the covenant pray for us
Gate of heaven pray for us
Morning Star pray for us
Health of the sick pray for us
Refuge of sinners pray for us
Comfort of the troubled pray for us
Help of Christians pray for us
Queen of angels pray for us
Queen of patriarchs and prophets pray for us
Queen of apostles and martyrs pray for us
Queen of confessors and virgins pray for us
Queen of all saints pray for us
Queen conceived without sin pray for us
Queen assumed into heaven pray for us
Queen of the rosary pray for us
Queen of families pray for us
Queen of peace pray for us
Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
V. Pray for us, Holy Mother of God
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. Eternal God, let your people enjoy constant health in mind and body. Through the intercession of the Virgin Mary free us from the sorrows of this life and lead us to happiness in the life to come. Grant this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.

NOVENA PRAYER

V: In your conception, O Virgin Mary, you were immaculate.
R: Pray for us to the Father, whose Son Jesus, after He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, you brought forth into the world.
V: To you, O Virgin Mary, who were never touched by any spot of original sin or actual sin.
R: I commend and entrust the purity of my heart.
V: O Mary, you entered the world without stain.
R: Obtain from God that I may leave it without sin.
V: O Mary, conceived without sin.
R: Pray for us who have recourse to you.
Let us Pray. O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin made ready a fitting dwelling for your Son, we beseech you, who kept her unspotted from all stain, by the foreseen precious death of your same Son, grant to us in like manner to be made clean through her intercession and so attain union with you. Through the same Christ our Lord.
R: Amen.
All: Blessed by the Holy and Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God.

HYMN

Hail Holy Queen enthron'd above, O Maria
Hail Mother of Mercy and of love O Maria

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

Our life our sweetness here below O Maria
Our hope in sorrow and in woe O Maria

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

We honour you for Christ, your Son, O Maria!
Who has for us redemption won, O Maria!

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

This isn't the best formatting. I hope you find it useful for your prayer. I plan to do better tomorrow.

Support Our Bishops!

2009-11-23T11:09:00.002-05:00

My posts have generally dealt with the writing of the prayer book. However, I believe it is necessary to draw your attention to this article from Fr. Z. In the article, he draws attention to the fact that Bishop Tobin of Rhode Island has responsibly asked Rep. Kennedy to withold himself from Holy Communion over his support for abortion. Please vote in support of Bishop Tobin for doing his job as a pastor of souls. If you just want the link to the poll it is here. Just scroll down a little bit.

Christ the King: Act of Dedication

2009-11-20T13:34:00.005-05:00

It has been quite awhile since I have posted here. The compilation effort continues. I have completed work on the four major seasons of the Church year, and have moved to work related to monthly devotions.

In the meantime, I believe that the proper thing to do would be to focus on those things which are timely. Starting on the First Sunday of Advent, I will, every day, post the parts of the Immaculate Conception Novena which I have compiled. In the meantime, as the Feast of Christ the King is upon us, it seems best to turn to the Act of Dedication of the Human Race to Jesus Christ the King, as found in the Enchiridion on Indulgences. This prayer, often known by its Latin name, Iesu Dulcissime Redemptor, speaks well for itself, so I will simply post it:

Most sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, look down upon us humbly prostrate before you. We are yours, and yours we wish to be; but to be more surely united with you, behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today to your Most Sacred Heart. Many indeed have never known you; many, too, despising your precepts, have rejected you. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to your Sacred Heart. Be King, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken you, but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned you; grant that they may quickly return to their Father's house, lest they die of wretchedness and hunger. Be King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions, or whom discord keeps aloof, and call them back to the harbor of truth and the unity of faith, so that soon there may be but one flock and one Shepherd. Grant, O Lord, to your Church assurance of freedom and immunity from harm; give tranquility of order to all nations; make the earth resound from pole to pole with one cry: Praise to the divine Heart that wrought our salvation; to it be glory and honor for ever. Amen.

A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful, who piously recite the above Act of Dedication of the Human Race to Jesus Christ King. A plenary indulgence is granted, if it is recite publicly on the feast of our Lord Jesus Christ King.

Remember that for a plenary indulgence, one must 1) make a sacramental confession; 2) receive Holy Communion; 3) pray for the intentions of the Holy Father (if you don't know them an Our Father, Hail Mary, and Apostles' Creed will suffice); 4) be free of any attachment to sin.

Prophecies for Immaculate Conception Novena

2009-09-25T11:48:00.003-04:00

I have begun arranging a Novena for the Immaculate Conception. While there are several versions of an Immaculate Conception Novena already available, I took to heart the text from the Directory on Popular Piety, n. 102, which states that

"The novena of the Immaculate Conception, wherever it is celebrated, should highlight the prophetical texts which begin with Genesis 3,15, and end in Gabriel's salutation of the one who is "full of grace" (Lk 1, 31-33). (Popular Piety, n. 102)

Clearly, this gives me two of nine texts. I thought that I would be able to use the types given in Pius IX's Ineffabilis Deus, which, in addition to providing the above two texts, also provides some eight others pointing toward the Immaculate Conception. If any of them may appear unsatisfactory, I can always include the "Emmanuel" prophecy.

I thought it also good to base this around a preexisting Immulate Conception Novena prayer. Then, I have added the Litany of Loreto at the beginning as an option to use for the Novena, and a recommendation for a Marian hymn at the end ("Immaculate Mary" or the Magnificat).

I am almost done with the Advent section. I still do not know what to do for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Suggestions are welcome. Meanwhile, I do have some ideas of my own.

Popular Piety

2009-09-24T14:25:00.005-04:00

I have not finished the section on the Stations of the Cross. However, I have pushed on with other aspects of the Prayerbook. I have begun using the Directory on Popular Piety issued a few years ago by the Vatican as guide of sorts. It is especially a guide for the celebrations throughout the Liturgical Year.

This endeavor has been worthwhile in pointing me toward some devotions which are not common in United States but which might be beneficial. For instance, I remember a few years ago hearing about the Via Lucis, or the Stations of Light. This devotion would be particularly useful during Easter, and is patterned after the Stations of the Cross. While I believe it would be for families or even parishes to continue celebrating the Stations of the Cross on Fridays even during Easter, the Stations of Light seem an excellent devotion for Sundays of Easter.

Moreover, it was interesting to see the CDW recommending devotion to the Most Precious Blood. In all major Prayerbooks of which I am aware, the Litany of the Precious Blood is not included, despite the fact that it is one of the five litanies included in the Enchiridion of Indulgences. This includes the American Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers.

It would be an excellent thing if we were able to restore devotion to the Precious Blood in the life of the Church of the United States. Indeed, this whole endeavor ought to go some way in restoring a sense of Catholic identity. I pray that this endeavor will succeed, and I hope that there are those out there with suggestions as to how this might succeed.

Arranging the Stations

2009-09-21T16:02:00.003-04:00

Until today, I have not really accomplished much on the work of posting the various settings of the Stations mentioned in my previous blog post. Much of the problem has been concern over copyright. This really isn't a problem with the Via Crucis of St. Alphonsus Liguori. However, meditations for Scriptural Stations was a bit of a problem.

I decided to go to the Vatican website to use the readings provided there for the Stations. For Good Friday, 2005, then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger used Scripture readings for the traditional Stations, pulling from the gospels of Luke and Matthew, but also the books of Lamentations and Isaiah. I decided to use these readings as the meditations of the second setting, which will be followed by Collects from the Missal.

Similarly, I can use a Scriptural Way of the Cross (i.e., with Stations drawn entirely from Scripture, without the traditional two extra falls of Jesus and Veronica wiping his face). There are readings for this on the Vatican website, which can similarly be joined with Collects.

Nevertheless, I may want to find another form of prayer rather than the Collects. It seems best to draw from the Liturgy itself. However, this may be a case where the Collects of the Liturgy are not specific enough. Should someone have another idea, I am open to suggestions.

There is more to come, I am sure. I hope all are well.

Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows

2009-09-15T16:54:00.002-04:00

Today is the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows. At Mass today, you may have the opportunity to hear sung or recited the sequence Stabat Mater. It is one of only four sequences left after the publication of the Missal of Paul VI in 1970. Indeed, when the Missal of Pius V was published, it was only one of five sequences. The others in use in both the Ordinary and Extraordinary Form of the Mass are the Victimae Paschali Laudes at Easter, Veni, Sance Spiritus at Pentecost, and Lauda Sion at Corpus Christi. The additional sequence for the Usus Antiquior is the Dies Irae for the Requiem Mass.

The Sequence, of course, is sung before the Gospel. The Stabat Mater, however, is also (sometimes) sung with a verse after each Station during the Stations of the Cross. It is for this reason that I chose today to announce the second part of the Prayer Book Project, which is settings of the Stations of the Cross (I could also add the Seven Sorrows).

John Paul II, in the Good Friday, 1991 Stations at the Colliseum, introduced a Scriptural Way of the Cross, drawing on texts from the Gospels. As the essentials for engaging in the way of the cross are fourteen crosses erected by the proper authority which are to be walked at least by the leader of those making the devotion, it seemed an excellent idea to include a Scriptural Way of the Cross in the new prayer book. This manages to respect our Tradition, while at the same time finding a new expression for it.

Nevertheless, it is best to not only have this setting, but also the traditional fourteen stations included. As the Way of the Cross of St. Alphonsus Liguori is a particularly venerable expression of the traditional form, I thought it best to include this version. Particularly, it is easy to celebrate when only one book, as the peoples' responses are the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be. Also, it includes the verses of the Stabat Mater.

Additionally, it seemed best to also include a Patristic Way of the Cross, providing meditations on particular scenes from the traditional stations with meditations by the Fathers of the Church. For the setting of the Seven Sorrows, I thought it best to include one with Scripture Meditations as well as Traditional Meditations.

Now, I just need to finish the Rosary portion of the project.

Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross

2009-09-14T11:40:00.004-04:00

Today is kept in honor of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. It is one of four Feasts of the Lord (i.e., feasts rather than solemnities, which are the highest grade of celebration). As a Feast of the Lord, it would replace the Sunday celebration of a Sunday Through the Year (aka. Ordinary Time). The other three Feasts of the Lord are the Presentation (Feb. 2, aka. Candelmas), the Transfiguration (Aug. 6), and the Dedication of St. John Lateran (which makes sense only once we realize that this church is the Cathedral of Rome, and thus, in a sense, the Mother Church dedicated to the worship of God throughout the world, or at the very least of Western Christianity).

Veneration of the Holy Cross, on which our Savior died, has long been a part of our faith. We ought always to remember that the Lord himself bore the Cross for us, and only through this action was he able to redeem us. It is of course important to remember that we have our own crosses to bear. As the Monsignor at my parish reminded, Fulton Sheen once remarked: "The cross without Christ is unbearable, and Christ without the cross is unrealistic."

On this day, the Holy Church has provided the the hymn Vexilla Regis Prodeunt as the hymn proper to the celebration of Vespers. Unfortunately, in the English versions of the Liturgy of the Hours (with the exception of the Mundelein Psalter), it is not included as an option. In order to avoid any copyright issues, I thought you might want to try this link for the English translation. Toward the bottom, there is a link for the Latin text as well.

The Rosary portion of the project continues. I am halfway with the third setting (including Medium Scripture Readings, Patristic Readings, and Collects). I hope to finish tonight, that we might announce the next phase of the project tomorrow, on the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows.

2009-09-09T11:35:00.002-04:00

This post is to solicit ideas for the contents of the prayer book. What devotions do you envision being included within the this book? Remember, the book is intended for parishes and families. I am particularly interested in knowing what Novenas people would want included, as there are a great variety of Novenas. Please leave comments, if you will.

To Jesus through Mary

2009-09-08T21:50:00.003-04:00

Today is the Feast of the Nativity of Mary. It is one of the 10 High Feast Days in the Eastern Church, while (like the Transfiguration) a little less emphasized in the Western Church. Nevertheless, it is one of the feasts in honor of our Lady, coming nine month after her Immaculate Conception (just as the Nativity of Jesus, Christmas, is celebrated nine months after the Solemnity of the Annunciation).

Given the particularly Marian character of this day (or what's left of it -- I'm writing this at about 11:00 pm), it seemed best to present the first part of the project of the prayer book under construction. The first part of the prayer book (or at least the first part of the prayer book which I am writing) contains four different settings of the Rosary.

One might wonder why there might need to be four different settings of the Rosary. Typically, I assume that when someone prays the Rosary, it is based upon the bare minimum Rosary card they might receive when first introduced to this prayer (especially in the case of converts, or those of us who grew up in an environment where "Catholics just don't do that anymore"). Sometimes, they might have a prayer book or small Rosary devotion book which contains brief meditations such as "Consider how the apostles were over-joyed to see the Risen Lord." Sometimes the meditations can be quite elaborate.

John Paul II, in his Apostolic Letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae, proposed that we use Scripture as the primary meditation text for the Rosary itself. Thus, after one begins the Rosary with the Apostles' Creed, Our Father and Three Hail Marys, they proceed to announce the first mystery. After announcing the first mystery, it is proper to present the text from Scripture relating to the Mystery then announced. Thereafter, one continues to meditate on the Mystery of Our Lord with Mary, praying the Lord's Prayer and the ten Hail Marys. Moreover, that this prayer may be more intimately tied to the Sacred Liturgy, it was proposed that Collects (the prayers said after the Kyrie and Gloria in the Mass, and before the Readings) conclude the prayer. This is an excellent idea, as there are suitable Collects from our Tradition for each of the Mysteries.

When John Paul II's death was announced to the world, a priest who was a spokesperson for the Vatican, after announcing the death, began to lead the people gathered in St. Peter's Square in prayer. The prayer chosen was the Rosary. During this particular Rosary, after the announcement of the Mystery, the priest read a passage from Scripture, followed by a passage from the Catechism. Given that they were in Rome, the Rosary was, of course, in Italian. For much of the last five and more years since this event, I have often looked for an arrangement of the Rosary such as this, to no avail.

I have also had the blessed opportunity to become acquainted with the Blog What Does the Prayer Really Say?, wherein Fr. Z, the author, began a Patristic Rosary project. For those who do not know. Patristic Literature refers to those writings lasting from the end of the New Testament writings (beginning with the Apostolic Fathers) through to the the sixth or seventh century (generally ending with St. Gregory the Great in the West and St. John Damascene in the East). As ressourcement was a goal of Vatican II, i.e., going back to the ancient sources, it is understandable that anyone seeking to implement devotions in the "Spirit of Vatican II" would certainly want to include such a measure in the life of their parishes and families.

There have been some publications which have sought to include readings from Scripture alongside Collects. In particular, I can mention A Prayer Book of Catholic Devotions: Praying the Seasons and Feasts of the Church Year, by William G. Storey and published by Loyola Press. This prayer book gives short Scripture verses for each Mystery of the Rosary, as well as Collects for each. Additionally, citations of longer passages are provided. Unforunately, the longer passages are not themselves included within the text, meaning that one would need to thumb through one's own Bible while trying to pray the Rosary, or else type out their own devotional text. In addition, the prayers concluding the reading are not, as far as I can tell, from the Liturgy (although some are certainly inspired by liturgical prayers).

Another publication worth mentioning is the booklet The Rosary with the Luminous Mysteries: Scripture Meditations and Prayers from the Liturgy. I admit that I have used this much more frequently in my own personal prayer life. It is small and easily portable. It also provides images of each of the Mysteries of the Rosary as well. Unfortunately, the Scripture Meditations are often Paraphrases. Moreover, after a brief verse from Scripture for the Third Luminous Mystery, we are met with a non-Scriptural commentary of the need to go to Confession (not a bad thing in itself, and something intimately tied to the Mystery; nevertheless, the meditation should consistently be from Scripture).

Despite what I see as shortcomings of these two publications, I do not want to seem ungrateful for the inspiration they have provided. Without having access to them, I do not believe that I would have been inspired to make this prayer book. Moreover, the variety of forms of Scripture Meditations, especially combined with other texts for meditation, have inspired me to make four settings of the Rosary in my prayer book. Those settings may be found as follows:

The First Setting consists of short readings from Scripture, largely inspired by the work of A Prayer Book of Catholic Devotions. I have not yet decided (mostly because I do not know the costs that will be associated with the endeavor) whether to include images with this first setting or not.
The Second Setting will have a medium-sized reading from Scripture followed by a reading from the Catechism for each mystery, with a Collect from the Liturgy to conclude each decade.
The Third Setting will contain identical medium-sized readings from Scripture as those of the Second Setting, but followed by relevant readings from the Fathers of the Church. The Collects concluding the decade are also identical to those of the Second Setting.
The Fourth Setting will include long readings from Scripture. The same collects as found in the Second and Third Settings will similarly be used in this setting.

Thus far, I have been able to set the First, Second, and Fourth Settings. I will take some time in finding appropriate Patristic readings. I hope to be finished with this section within the next couple of days. Thereafter, we should be approaching the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross and the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows. That would be a perfect time to mention the plans for the Stations of the Cross, and perhaps the Seven Sorrows.

Excellent Resources

2009-09-07T11:07:00.003-04:00

In this post, I hope to lay out some works which I have been using, and which I believe ought to belong in every Catholic family's library.

First, of course, we must consider having a Bible. Despite the rather loose translation (anyone familiar with Greek or Hebrew can readily attest), I often use the New American Translation just for the sake that it is, for the most part, the current language of the American Catholic liturgy.

After this, I would include The Catechism of the Catholic Church. When I was a teenager, I saw this text primarily as the official proof-text manual of the Church. To the contrary, if you ever take the time to read it straight through, it is a well presented argument for the contents of the faith. The smaller Compendium of the Catechism is certainly not without value. It can be a quick reminder for those already familiar with Catholic doctrine. with the traditional question/answer format, it is excellent for work with children, and can certainly be used in evangelization as the bare synthesis of the faith. This was the first resource my fiancee used when she was deciding to convert. The only problem with using this volume for evangelization is the unfortunate dearth of Scripture references (they have them, I just want more).

In regard to the liturgy, One would certainly need a Daily Roman Missal. At the very least, one would need a Sunday Missal, which would also include the texts for the Holy Days of Obligation and Major Feasts. Of course, it is understandable if one might want to hold off on getting a new missal for the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite, as the new, improved translation is not yet available, but soon on the way. For those who have the opportunity, a Daily Roman Missal (1962) for the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite would be an excellent investment. I currently do not have one (nor do I have easy access to the Extraordinary Form of the Mass). Nevertheless, for those who have the opporutunity to attend this beautiful expression of our faith, it would greatly benefit them.

The liturgy is not merely confined to the Mass itself. As such, I would strongly recommend the use of the four-volume Liturgy of the Hours, as it is the only version published in the United States to include all the hours. These hours are the Office of Readings, Morning Prayer, Daytime Prayer (including Midmorning, Midday, and Midafternoon), Evening Prayer, and Night Prayer. These might be better recognized by their traditional names of Matins (or Vigils), Lauds, Terce, Sexte, None, Vespers, and Compline.

Most of our liturgy ought to be sung. Indeed, all of the texts of the Liturgy of the Hours may be set to music, in keeping with the tradition of our Rite. The one-volume Mundelein Psalter includes music for all the principle hours of the Roman Rite (Lauds and Vespers, along with settings for Compline). Further, the Mundelein Psalter website .mp3 recordings for all the major psalm-tones used, as well as verses for the hymns. I would recommend it over the four-volume Liturgy of the Hours, particularly for beginners. While the more musically-inclined might groan at the lack of set antiphons for the the psalms, beginners like me are ecstatic to finally have some vehicle toward the re-enchantment of our sacred liturgy.

Finally, I would like to give a brief shout-out to the Manual of Prayers, compiled by Rev. James Watkins for the Pontifical North American College in Rome. It is beautifully bound, and makes liberal use of the traditional prayers and devotions of our liturgy. A nearly full expression of the post Vatican II Rite of Reconciliation for Individual Penitents is included, as well as St. Alphonsus Liguori's Stations of the Cross, a setting of the Seven Sorrows, the Seven Last Words, etc. It includes many prayers in Latin, Spanish, and Italian, given that it is intended primarily for American Seminarians in Rome. Therein lies its only problem for my purposes: I (and I believe many others) are in desperate need of a prayer book drawing on the best of our tradition. Moreover, we are in need of texts inspired by the intentions of the Servant of God John Paul II, infusing Scripture more deeply into our devotions. I owe much to this last volume, but I hope to give it a complement. It certainly serves as an excellent model.

Lex Orandi

2009-09-06T18:37:00.003-04:00

After many years of not finding any physical prayer book suitable for devotions of individuals, families, and parishes, I finally got the bright idea to create my own. This blog is to express my intentions for the creation of this prayer book, as well as to solicit ideas for what it ought to contain. The book shall be respectful of the tradition of the Catholic Church, presenting traditional renderings of the Rosary, Stations of the Cross, Seven Sorrows, etc. Nevertheless, in a spirit of continuity of tradition, and influenced by the forces behind the Vatican II, it is my intention to provide meditation texts from Scripture, and the Fathers of the Church, for these traditional devotions. I will certainly include a Scriptural Way of the Cross alongside that of St. Alphonsus Liguori.

Over the last two decades, the Holy Fathers John Paul II and Benedict XVI have worked strenuously to reassert awareness of the Church's Lex Credendi. This may especially be seen by the completion of The Catechism of the Catholic Church and The Catechism of the Catholic Church: Compendium. I would recommend everyone have both of these.

Similarly, John Paul II sought to instill in everyone a great sense of the Lex Vivendi, the rule of living called for by the Gospel. This may be seen especially in his catecheses on the Theology of the Body.

In the present, and especially for the last decade or two, there has been a great movement especially toward strengthening the Lex Celebrandi, the rule of celebrating of the Church. As a Cardinal, Joseph Ratzinger, now Benedict XVI, was instrumental in giving life to this movement. Even now, he is supportive of those who hope to bring liturgical praxis into greater continuity with our tradition, respecting the authentic reforms called for by Vatican II while also allowing greater use of Extraordinary Form of the Mass of the Roman Rite, a priceless treasure we should never lose.

Among the reforms sought are restoring Gregorian Chant to having "pride of place," in the music of the liturgy, as the music proper to the liturgy. The work done at musicasacra.com is essential to this work. Further, there has been a movement to a literal, richer, more poetic translation of the Roman Missal. At any rate, Latin teachers would no longer have to give our Mass translations a failing grade.

In the wake of these movements toward a greater enculturation, there remains the matter of the Lex Orandi, the rule of praying. John Paul II began much work in this direction, particularly with the Rosary and the Stations of the Cross. Starting in 1991, he created a new Scriptural Way of the Cross, also consisting of fourteen crosses as stations. In 2003, he authored the Apostolic Letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae. In this text, introduced the Luminous Mysteries to the traditional Joyful, Sorrowful, and Glorious Mysteries. Further, he advocated that, after announcing the mystery, that a text from Scripture be used for meditation, with the decade concluded with a Collect from the Liturgy.

In English, we need a prayer book that fully respects the great traditions of our Church and preserves the best of the older forms in their integrity. Also, we are in need of forms of these devotions drawing on the ancient wisdom of the Scriptures and the Patristic literature. This in no way disrespects the fruitful development of the Middle Ages, but rather seeks to breathe in the air that is ever ancient, and ever new.

Such is my project, and such is my endeavor to make some small contribution toward strengthening the Church's timeless Lex Orandi.

Lex Orandi

A New Lent: Ash Wednesday

Time to Pray for the Faithful Departed

Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary

New Catechetical Opportunities

Tallahassee Vespers: At a Crossroads

Litanies: Litany of the Sacred Heart

Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus

The New Cardinals-Designate

Indulgenced Prayers to St. Joseph

Vespers in Tallahassee: Week 5 Report

Seasonal Hymns in the Mundelein Psalter

Vespers Hymn and Rite of Acceptance

Little Office of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Our Lady of the Rosary: The Rosary and October

Litanies: Litany of St. Joseph

Litanies: Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus

Solemnity of the Nativity of the Sweet Baby

Litanies: Litany of the Saints

Little Office of the Immaculate Conception

Little Office of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

Sung Vespers vs. Recited Vespers: Practicality & Effectiveness

The Little Office of Saint Joseph

The Liturgy of the Hours and Grassroots Liturgical Renewal

First Tallahassee Sung Vespers a Success!

Updated ICEL Chant Settings

Issues at RCIA: What are we Supposed to Say?

Ecumenical Evening Prayer of the Papal Visit

Sunday Sung Vespers in Tallahassee

The Paraclesis

Antiphonale Romanum II

Chants for Vespers Now Published by Solesmes

Feast of the Epiphany: Home Blessings and Prayer for Migrants

Month of January: The Holy Name of Jesus

New Year's Day: Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, and World Day for Peace

The Te Deum

The Closing of 2009: Vespers, Adoration, and Te Deum

Feast of the Holy Innocents: Prayer for Unborn

Feast of the Holy Family: Consecrations and Blessings

Chant Fonts for Prayer Book

Bl. Andre Bessette to be Canonized

Support for New Translation of the Roman Missal

Upcoming Christmas Novena

Day 9: Immaculate Conception Novena

Day 8 Immaculate Conception Novena

Day 7: Immaculate Conception Novena

The Upcoming Christmas Novena

Day 6: Immaculate Conception Novena

Progress Continues . . .

Day 5: Immaculate Conception Novena

Day 4: Immaculate Conception Novena

Day 3: Immaculate Conception Novena

Day 2: Immaculate Conception Novena

Day 1: Immaculate Conception Novena

Support Our Bishops!

Christ the King: Act of Dedication

Prophecies for Immaculate Conception Novena

Popular Piety

Arranging the Stations

Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows

Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross

Contents

To Jesus through Mary

Excellent Resources

Lex Orandi