18th June, SS. Mark and Marcellianus, Martyrs

Mark and Marcellianus, Martyrs

Brothers by birth, Mark and Marcellianus were brothers especially because they generously shed their blood for the sake of Christ (Alleluia). Persecuted for their faith, like the prophets and the apostles (Gospel), they were arrested under the Emperor Diocletian and were nailed by the feet to a post where they remained hanging.

The Holy Ghost, who filled their hearts with the holy love of God and the hope of an eternal reward, sustained them in their torments (Epistle) and protected them in their tribulations (Introit). "Never," they exclaimed, "have we enjoyed such delights as those we feel in suffering for Jesus Christ."

After a day and night of suffering, they were pierced with arrows, in A.D. 286, and their souls "delivered like the sparrow from the bird-catcher's net" (Offertory) entered for ever " into the kingdom which had been prepared for them from the beginning of the world " (Communion).

On this day, the anniversary of the heavenly birth of these two holy martyrs, let us ask God, through their intercession, to deliver us from all the ills that threaten us (Collect).

Salus autem justorum a Domino: et protector eorum est in tempore tribulationis. * Noli aemulari in malignantibus: neque zelaveris facientes iniquitatem.

But the salvation of the just if from the Lord: and He is their protector in the time of trouble. * Be not emulous of evildoers; nor envy them that work iniquity.

(Psalm 36:39,1 from the Introit of Mass)

Praesta, quaesumus, omnipotens Deus, ut, qui sanctorum Martyrum tuorum Marci et Marcelliani natalitia colimus; a cunctis malis imminentibus eorum intercessionibus liberemur.

Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that we who celebrate the heavenly birthday of Thy holy martyrs Mark and Marcellianus, may through their intercession, be delivered from all threatening evils.

(Collect)

From the Catholic Encyclopaedia: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09682a.htm

18th June, St Ephrem, Deacon, Confessor, Doctor

St. Ephrem, Deacon, Confessor, Doctor

St. Ephrem was born at Nisibis in Mesopotamia and was one of the lights of the Church (Gospel). His father, a pagan priest, cast him out of his home. He then went as a hermit in the desert and was ordained deacon of Edessa (Communion). Led by the Holy Ghost to Caesarea in Cappadocia, he there met St. Basil. In order to refute the numerous errors which were being spread by the prayers and canticles of the heretics, he wrote poems and Christian hymns, celebrating the mysteries of the lives of Christ, the Blessed Virgin and the saints. That is why he is called "the harp of the holy Ghost". He always had a great devotion to our Lady. He died at Edessa in 375 under the Emperor Valens. Benedict XV proclaimed him a Doctor of the universal Church (Collect).

Let us ask God, through the intercession of St. Ephrem, to defend His Church against the snares of error and wickedness (Collect).

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 Ecclesiam tuam beati Ephraem Confessoris tui et Doctoris mira eruditione et praecteris vitae meritis illustrate volulsti: te supplices exoramus; ut ipso intercedente, eam adversus erroris et pravitatis insidias perenni tua virtute defendas.
O God, who hast willed to illuminate Thy Church by the wondrous learning and excellent merits of the life of blessed Ephrem Thy confessor and doctor: we humbly beseech Thee that through his intercession Thou mayest defend it by Thine everlasting power against the wickedness and snares of the enemy.
(Collect)

From the Catholic Encyclopaedia: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05498a.htm

17th June. St Gregory Barbarigo, Bishop and Confessor

St Gregory Barbarigo, Bishop and Confessor

Gregory Barbarigo (1625-1697) was an Italian cardinal, diplomat, and scholar. He was a strong supporter of the work of the Council of Trent. He was beatified by Pope Clement XIII in 1761, and canonized Pope John XXIII in 1960.

Statuit ei Dominus testamentum pacis, et principem fecit eum: ut sit illi sacerdotii dignitas in aeternum. * Memento, Domine, David, et omnis mansuetudinis ejus.
The Lord made to him a covenant of peace, and made him a prince: that the dignity of the priesthood should be to him for ever. * O Lord, remember David: and all his meekness.
(Ecclesiasticus 45:30 and Psalm 131:1 from the Introit of Mass)

Deus, qui beatum Gregorium, Confessorem tuum atque Pontificem, pastorali sollicitudine et pauperum miseratione clarescere voluisti: concede propitius; ut, cuius merita celebramus, caritatis imitemur exempla.
O God, who did will that Blessed Gregory, Thy confessor and bishop, should be renowned for his pastoral care and his mercy for the poor; grant, we beseech Thee, that we who celebrate his merits may also imitate the example of his charity.
(Collect)

For more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregory_Barbarigo

Pre-Bugnini Altar Missal to be republished

News from Carmel Books.

Over on the Carmel Books Blog - http://carmelbooks.blogspot.co.uk/ - is the news that there is a project to republish the Missale Romanum, altar missal size, in the last form before it was tampered with by Mgr. Bugnini and others of his persuasion.

Since Mgr. Bugnini started his work in 1948, in practice, that means the Editio Typica of 1920, as updated with new saints and feasts etc to 1948.

Carmel Books are asking for those who might be interested in placing a pre-order to let them know. The success of this project depends on support from customers. If it is successful, then apparently a Breviary of the same date is projected for next year.

There is a very good hand-missal for use by the laity - possibly even the clergy - which is the St Andrew's Missal republished by St Bonaventure Press. The link to the publishers is in the side-bar to this site. That this should be joined by an altar missal is entirely welcomed.

This blog is invariably non-controversial, and the Blogmeister concentrates on the devotional, the historical, and the liturgical. Its purpose is to increase devotion through the Traditional liturgy.

However, since the liturgical cycle used here is essentially that of 1948, it is appropriate to give publicity to the Ordo, calendar, and Missal that follow that cycle. This site, of course, is happy to add saints from local or proper calendars, including those beatified more recently.

Promoting the 1948 Missale does NOT mean:
(a) Rejection of all new saints and feast days since 1948;
(b) That this edition was necessarily perfect in all respects;
(c) That the liturgy cannot in principle develop organically.

Many of those who are using the 1962 liturgical books are coming to realise that these books have already been edited in accordance with a programme of reform, which resulted in the dismembering of the Roman liturgy - in defiance of the clearly stated wishes of the 2nd Vatican Council. At very least, having a reprint of the previous Missale and Breviary will promote thought and scholarship around that question.

Discussion of legal, canonical, or theological questions about using the 1948 Missal are beyond the scope of this Blog. Questions about the Novus Ordo, and its legality, validity, appropriateness, are also to be directed elsewhere.

The Treasure Sought - a Meditation

A Meditation from 'Nova et Vetera' by Fr George Tyrrell S.J.

The Treasure Sought.

Quam bonum te quaerentibus.

"How good to those who look for Thee." Many seek His gifts and graces; few seek Himself, the Grace of graces. "What reward wilt thou have?" He asks of Aquinas. "None, but Thyself, Lord." Dilectus meus mihi et ego illi - "My beloved is mine and I am His." He has promised that none shall seek vainly Him who came to seek and to save them. Quaerite et invenietis - "Seek and ye shall find." But how? "If with all your hearts ye seek Me, ye shall surely find Me;" i.e.  if we seek Him as the necessary and all-sufficient Good; or as the Magi sought Him, not for their own sakes, but for His; not to get, but to give; not to be honoured by Him, but to adore Him. Quam bonus! How good to the half-fearful disciples who followed Him shyly, when He turned round to encourage them: "What seek ye?" "Master," they say, "where dwellest Thou?" It was He they sought. Venite et videte -  "Come and see;" and they abode with Him that day. How good to her that sought His Sacred Body in the early morning before it was yet day, for "they that seek Him early shall find Him." "Women, why weepest thou, whom seekest thou?" "They have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid Him." "Maria!" "Rabboni." Quam bonus te quaerentibus.

From Nova et Vetera, Informal Meditations, by Fr George Tyrrell, S.J. 4th Edition, published by Longmans, Green, and Co. 1905.

A Spiritual Bouquet for Pope Francis

The Latin Mass Society is gathering together a Spiritual Bouquet for our new Holy Father, Pope Francis I.

We are asking you, our members, supporters and friends, to help us with this.

We are encouraging everyone to ask priests that they know to celebrate Masses in the Extraordinary Form for the new Pope, that he may receive the graces necessary to fulfil the duties of his new office (you should pay the priest a stipend for this - suggested minimum offering £10). We are also asking you to offer up rosaries and other prayers and devotions for the Pope. In particular, offer up your Communion for the Pope.

The Pope has asked for our prayers to help him in his new office. Let us respond generously to his call. As Catholics, the Church has always asked us to pray, in charity, for others, living and dead, but one of the people She has always specifically requested the faithful to pray for is the Pope. This is a good and holy Catholic tradition. Let us live up to that tradition. Offer a priest that you know a stipend to celebrate a Traditional Mass for the Pope, or offer your daily rosary for Pope Francis, or add him to your intentions in your daily prayers, or offer a novena for him. The choice is up to you.

Once you have done this, or decided that you will do this, email or write to us at the LMS to tell us how many Masses, Communions, Rosaries or other prayers and devotions you have offered, or will offer, for Pope Francis. Please let us know as soon as possible. In fact, why not do it today?

These will then be gathered together and presented to the Holy Father on behalf of the Latin Mass Society and its supporters and friends. You don't have to be an LMS member to take part in this spiritual initiative.

http://www.lms.org.uk/news-and-events/spiritual-bouquet-for-pope-francis
Email us at info@lms.org.uk

Write to us at: LMS, 11-13 Macklin Street, London WC2B 5NH

Pope Francis - the First Five Days

http://catholic-schoolmaster.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/pope-francis-first-five-days.html