27th November, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal

Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal
(pro aliquibus locis)

The devotion commonly known as that of the Miraculous Medal owes its origin to St Catherine Labore, a member of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, to whom the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared three separate times in the year 1830, at the mother-house of the community at Paris. On the second occasion, Sister Catherine records that the Blessed Virgin appeared as if standing on a globe, and bearing a globe in her hands. As if from rings set with precious stones dazzling rays of light were emitted from her fingers. These, she said, were symbols of the graces which would be bestowed on all who asked for them. Sister Catherine adds that around the figure appeared an oval frame bearing in golden letters the words "O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee"; on the back appeared the letter M, surmounted by a cross, with a crossbar beneath it, and under all the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, the former surrounded by a crown of thorns, and the latter pierced by a sword. (Catholic Encyclopaedia)

Erit quasi signum in manu tua, et quasi monuméntum ante óculos tuos, et ut lex Dómini semper sit in ore tuo. * Confitémini Dómino et invocáte nomen ejus: annuntiáte inter gentes ópera ejus.

It shall be a sign in thy hand, and as a memorial before thine eyes, and that the law of the Lord be always in thy mouth. * O give thanks unto the Lord, and call upon His name: tell forth His deeds among the nations.

(Exodus 13:9 and Psalm 104:1 from the Introit of Mass)

Dómine Jesu Christe, qui beatíssimam Vírginem Maríam, Matrem tuam, ab orígine immaculátam innúmeris miráculis claréscere voluísti: concéde; ut, ejúsdem patrocínium semper implorántes, gáudia consequámur aetérna.

O Lord Jesus Christ, Who hast willed that the most blessed Virgin Mary, Thy mother, sinless from the first moment of her conception, should be glorified by countless miracles: grant that we, who never cease from imploring her patronage, may attain in the end to eternal happiness.

(Collect)

From the Catholic Encyclopaedia on the Miraculous Medal: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10115a.htm

25th November, St Catharine, Virgin and Martyr

St Catharine of Alexandria, Virgin and Martyr

Catharine was born at Alexandria. From youth she combined the study of the liberal arts with the ardour of faith. At the age of 18, she rebuked the Emperor Maximinus for tormenting the Christians. He assembled the most learned men, to bring her over to idolatry, but she succeeded in converting several of them.

Maximinus then ordered her to be scourged with rods and with whips weighted with lead. Then he had her tied to wheels armed with sharp swords. But the machine broke down and the tyrant caused her to be beheaded. She died about 310. After her death her body was carried by angels to mount Sinai. She is one of the 14 auxiliary saints. Christian philosophers honour her as their patroness.

Loquebar de testimoniis tuis in conspectu regum, et non confundebar: et meditabar in mandatis tuis, quae dilexi nimis. * Beati immaculati in via, qui ambulant in lege Domini.
I spoke of Thy testimonies before kings, and I was not ashamed: I meditated also on Thy commandments, which I loved. * Blessed are the undefiled in the way: who walk in the law of the Lord.
(Psalm 118:46-47,1 from the Introit of Mass)

Deus, qui dedísti legem Móysi in summitáte montis Sínai, et in eódem loco per sanctos Angelos tuos corpus beátae Catharínae Vírginis et Mártyris tuae mirabíliter collocásti: praesta, quaesumus; ut, ejus méritis et intercessióne, ad montem, qui Christus est, perveníre valeámus.

O God, who on the top of mount Sinai didst give the law to Moses, and in wondrous wise, by means of Thy holy angels didst place there the body of blessed Catharine, Thy virgin and martyr: grant that, through her merits and prayers, we may come to the true mountain which is Christ.

(Collect)

Catholic Encyclopaedia: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03445a.htm

24th November, St Chrysogonus, Martyr

St Chrysogonus, Martyr

St Chrysogonus, martyr, after having been long in chains was taken to Aquileia, by order of Diocletian, and there beheaded and thrown into the sea. He is mentioned in the Canon of the Mass (first list of saints). In his church at Rome is held the Station on Monday in Passion Week.

In virtute tua, Domine, laetabitur justus: et super salutare tuum exsulatabit vehementer: desiderium animae ejust tribuisti ei. * Quoniam praevenisti eum in benedictionibus dulcedinis: posuisti in capite ejus coronam de lapide pretioso.
In thy strength, O Lord, the just man shall rejoice: and in Thy salvation he shall rejoice exceedingly: Thou hast given him his heart's desire. * For Thou hast gone before him with blessings of sweetness: Thou hast set upon his head a crown of precious stones.
(Psalm 20:2-3,4 from the Introit of Mass)

Adésto, Dómine, supplicatiónibus nostris: ut, qui ex iniquitáte nostra reos nos esse cognóscimus, beáti Chrysógoni Mártyris tui intercessióne liberémur.
Give heed, O Lord, to our supplications: may we, who acknowledge our sinfulness, by the intercession of blessed Chrysogonus, Thy martyr, obtain our deliverance.
(Collect)

Catholic Encyclopedia: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03742b.htm

24th November, St John of the Cross, Confessor and Doctor of the Church

St John of the Cross, Confessor and Doctor of the Church

Born in Old Castile in 1542, he took the name of John of the Cross, on entering the Order of Mount Carmel. He always had a great devotion to the Passion of our Lord and his predominant virtue was abnegation. He obtained from God not to pass a day without suffering and to die where he would be unknown to all.

He helped St Teresa in reforming the Order, and introduced the primitive observance among the friars. He was also equal to St Teresa in explaining divine mysteries.

Struck down at Ubeda, by a cruel disease, he died embracing the crucifix and exclaiming: "Glory To God" in 1591. He was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius XI in 1926.

In medio Ecclesiae aperuit os ejus: et implevit eum Dominus spiritu sapientiae et intellectus: stolam gloriae induit eum. * Bonum est confiteri Domino: et psallere nomini tuo, Altissime.

In the midst of the Church the Lord opened his mouth: and He filled him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding: He clothed him with a robe of glory. * It is good to give praise to the Lord: and to sing to Thy name, O most High.
(Ecclesiasticus 15:5 and Psalm 91:2 from the Introit of Mass)



Deus, qui sanctum Joánnem Confessórem tuum atque Doctorem perféctae sui abnegatiónis
et Crucis amatórem exímium effecísti: concéde; ut, ejus imitatióni júgiter inhaeréntes, glóriam assequámur aetérnam.
O God, who didst endow holy John,Thy confessor and doctor, with a wonderful love of self-denial and with a surpassing love of the cross; grant that by following ever in his footsteps, we may obtain everlasting glory.
(Collect)



The Dark Night
a poem by St John of the Cross



On a darkened night,
Anxious, by love inflamed,
-- O happy chance! --
Unnoticed, I took flight,
My house at last at peace and quiet.

Safe, disguised by the night,
By the secret ladder I took flight,
-- O happy chance! --
Cloaked by darkness, I scaled the height,
My house at last at peace and quiet.

On that blessed night,
In secret, and seen by none,
None in sight,
I saw with no other guide or light,
But the one burning in my heart bright.

This guide, this light,
Brighter than the midday sun,
Led me to the waiting One
I knew so well -- my delight!
To a place with none in sight.

O night! O guide!
O night more loving than the dawn!
O night that joined
The lover with the Beloved;
Transformed, the lover into the Beloved drawn!

Upon my flowered breast,
For him alone kept fair,
There he slept
There I caressed,
There the cedars gave us air.

I drank the turret's cool air
Spreading playfully his hair.
And his hand, so serene,
Cut my throat. Drained
Of senses, I dropped unaware.

Lost to myself and yet remaining,
Inclined so only the Beloved I spy.
All has ceased, all rests,
Even my cares, even I;
Lost among the lilies, there I die.



From the Catholic Encyclopedia: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08480a.htm

23rd November, St Clement I, Pope and Martyr

St Clement I, Pope and Martyr

Pope St Clement is named third in the Canon of the mass after the apostles. He was the third successor of St Peter (after Linus and Cletus). The letter of St Clement to the Corinthians is one of the most precious documents of the earliest Christian centuries.

The Epistle of the mass identifies this saint with a Clement who was an auxiliary of St Paul. Most scholars think that this was a different Clement.
According to tradition, he was relegated to Chersonese during Trajan's persecution, and cast into the sea with an anchor attached to his neck (about 100). His body was carried to Rome, under the pontificate of Nicholas I and solemnly laid to reast in the church which had been built in his honour.

This church, where the Station is held on the Monday of the second week in Lent is one of the most interesting in Rome, because it kept much of the plan and furniture of an ancient Roman basilica; the atrium, the ambos with their chancels, the altar turned towards the congregation, with separate parts of the building for catechumens, faithful and clergy.

Dicit Dominus: Sermones mei, quos dedi in os tuum, non deficient de ore tuo: et munera tua accepta erunt super altare meum. * Beatus vir qui timet Dominum: in mandatis ejus cupit nimis.
The Lord saith, My words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of they mouth: and they gifts shall be accepted upon My altar. * Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord; he delighteth exceedingly in His commandments.
(Isaias 59:21 and Psalm 111:1 from the Introit of Mass)

Deus, qui nos ánnua beáti Clementis Martyris tui atque Pontíficis sollemnitáte laetíficas: concéde propítius; ut, cujus natalítia cólimus, virtútem quoque passiónis imitémur.O God, who dost give us joy by the yearly festival of Thy blessed martyr and bishop Clement: grant that we who keep his birthday may also imitate his fortitude in suffering.
(Collect)

Catholic encyclopaedia: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04012c.htm

23rd November, St Felicitas, Martyr

St Felicitas, Martyr

St Felicitas, the mother of seven martyred sons, was beheaded after them for the faith of Christ, in Rome, by order of the Emperor Marcus Antoninus, AD 150.

Her seven sons have their feast day on 10th July.

Me exspectaverunt peccatores, ut perderent me: testimonia mea, Domine, intellexi: omnis consummationis vidi finem: latum mandatum tuum nimis. * Beati immaculati in via, qui ambulant in lege Domini.The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I have understood Thy testimonies, O Lord: I have seen an end of all perfection: Thy commandment is exceeding broad. * Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the Law of the Lord.

(Psalm 118:95-96,1 from the Introit of Mass)

Praesta, quaesumus, omnípotens Deus: ut, beátae Felicitátis Martyris tuae sollémnia recenséntes, méritis ipsíus protegámur et précibus.

Grant, we beseech Thee, O almighty God, that we may be protected by the merits and prayers of blessed Felicitas, Thy Martyr, whose feast we keep.

(Collect)



From the Catholic Encyclopaedia: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06028a.htm

22nd November, St Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr

St Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr

Born at Rome, of the illustrious family of the Coecilii, Cecilia as a child consecrated her virginity to God. Forced to marry Valerian, a young pagan, she said to him: "Valerian, I am placed under the guardianship of an angel who protects my virginity." Valerian declared that he would believe in Jesus Christ if he saw the angel. Cecilia sent him first to Pope Urban, in the Catacombs, to be baptized. Valerian saw the angel, and got his brother Tiburtius to be baptized; he also saw the angel. A short time after, both brothers were martyred under the prefect Almachius (feast day 14th April). Finally the latter arrested Cecilia and ordered her to be put to death in her house. This was about AD 230.

Her body was discovered in 1599 by Cardinal Sfondrati, just as it was at the moment of her death, in her house transformed into a church, in the Trastavere. Here is held the station on the Wednesday in the second week of Lent. The name of St Cecilia is mentioned in the Canon of the Mass, in the second list of saints.

"At the sound of musical instruments," says the first antiphon at Vespers, "the virgin Cecilia sang to God in her heart." On this account she has been chosen as the patroness of musicians.



Loquebar de testimoniis tuis in conspectu regum, et non confundebar: et meditabar in mandatis tuis, quae dilexi nimis. * Beati immaculati in via, qui ambulant in lege Domini.
I spoke of Thy testimonies before kings, and I was not ashamed: I meditated also on Thy commandments, which I loved. * Blessed are the undefiled in the way: who walk in the law of the Lord.
(Psalm 118:46-47,1 from the Introit of Mass)



Deus, qui nos ánnua beátae Caecíliae Vírginis et Mártyris tuae solemnitáte laetíficas : da, ut, quam venerámur offício, étiam piae conversatiónis sequámur exémplo.
O God who dost gladden us by the annual festival of blessed Cecilia, Thy virgin and martyr: grant that we who revere her with our service, may also follow the example of her pious life.
(Collect)



Vírginis Proles Opiféxque Matris,
Virgo quem gessit, peperítque Virgo:
Vírginis partos cánimus decóra
Morte triúmphos.

Son of a Virgin, Maker of thy Mother,
Thou, Rod and Blossom from a Stem unstained,
Thou, King of Virgins, hearken as we honour
Virginal glories.
(Hymn from Matins)



Catholic Encyclopaedia: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03471b.htm