The Vigil of Pentecost

The Vigil of Pentecost

Station at St. John Lateran

The first Mass for Pentecost, formerly celebrated during the night, has, like that of Easter, since been anticipated. This great and solemn festival, therefore, begins with the Vigil. In early days the catechumens whom it had not been possible to baptize at Easter received this sacrament at Pentecost, which explains the similarities between the Mass for the Vigil and that for Holy Saturday. It is preceded by the reading of six Prophecies and the blessing of the water in the Baptismal Font, and it is also celebrated at St. John Lateran.

THE PROPHECIES

The celebrant and assistant ministers are robed in violet vestments, and the candles on the altar are not lighted until the beginning of Mass, as on Holy Saturday. At the end of the Prophecies the Collect is read, but Flectamus genua is omitted.

Deus, qui in Abrahae famuli tui opere, humano generi obedientiae exempla praebuisti: concede nobis, et nostrae voluntatis pravitatem frangere, et tuorum praeceptorum rectitudinem in omnibus adimplere.
O God, who in the action of Thy servant Abraham hast given to mankind an example of obedience, grant us both to conquer the perverseness of our will and to fulfil in all things Thy righteous commands.
(Collect after the first prophecy)


THE BLESSING OF THE FONT

At the end of the Prophecies the celebrant puts on a violet cope, and while the procession moves towards the font, the Tract Sicut cervus is sung. Then the priest, before blessing the font, says:

Domine, Deus virtutum, qui collapsa reparas, et reparata conservas: auge populos in tui nominis sanctificatione renovandos; ut omnes, qui sacro baptismate diluuntur, tua semper inspiratione dirigantur.
O Lord, God of hosts, who dost restore what is fallen and preserves! what Thou hast restored, increase the number of those to be renewed in Thy holy name; that all who are washed in holy baptism may ever be guided by Thy holy inspiration.

Mindful of the fact that in the beginning the Spirit of God moved over the waters and made them fruitful, the Liturgy asks God to bless the water in the Baptismal Font, out of which will arise a purely heavenly race. The officiating priest then plunges the Paschal candle three several times in the water, for it is by Christ, whom the candle typifies, that the power of the Holy Ghost, by which our souls are enlightened, is infused into them.

THE LITANY OF THE SAINTS

As on Holy Saturday. Where there is no Font, the Litany begins after the Prophecies and Collects. At Peccatores, Te rogamus audi nos, the priest and his assistants go to the sacristy and put on red vestments, and the candles are lit on the altar. At the end of the Litany the Kyrie eleison is solemnly sung, without Introit, like on Holy Saturday. At the Gloria, the bells are also rung and the organ begins being played.

MASS FOR THE VIGIL OF PENTECOST

After having been baptized "in water and in the Holy Ghost" the neophytes were confirmed. All through the Mass there are references these two sacraments, showing how the Holy Ghost enters into our souls and the effect He produces in them.

Praesta, quaesumus, omnipotens Deus: ut claritatis tuae super nos splendor effulgeat; et lux tuae lucis corda eorum, qui per gratiam tuam renati sunt, Sancti Spiritus illustratione confirmet.
Grant, we beseech Thee, O almighty God, that the brightness of Thy glory may shine forth upon us; and the light of Thy light by the illumination of the Holy Ghost, may confirm the hearts of those who have been born again by Thy grace.
(Collect)

Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. John.
At that time Jesus said to His disciples : If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He shall give you another Paraclete, that He may abide with you for ever, the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, nor knoweth Him. But you shall know Him; because He shall abide with you and shall be in you. I will not leave you orphans: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth Me no more. But you see Me; because I live, and you shall live. In that day you shall know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. He that hath My commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me. And he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father: and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him.
(St John 14:15-21)

Catholic Encyclopaedia on Pentecost: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15614b.htm

Novena in preparation for the Feast of St Philip Neri. Day 7.

May 23 - Philip's Patience

Philip was for years and years the butt and laughing-stock of all the hangers-on of the great palaces of the nobility at Rome, who said all the bad of him that came into their heads, because they did not like to see a virtuous and conscientious man.

This sarcastic talk against him lasted for years and years; so that Rome was full of it, and through all the shops and counting-houses the idlers and evil livers did nothing but ridicule Philip.

When they fixed some calumny upon him, he did not take it in the least amiss, but with the greatest calmness contented himself with a simple smile.

Once a gentleman's servant began to abuse him so insolently that a person of consideration, who witnessed the insult, was about to lay hands on him; but, when he saw with what gentleness and cheerfulness Philip took it, he restrained himself, and ever after counted Philip as a saint.

Sometimes his own spiritual children, and even those who lay under the greatest obligations to him, treated him as if he were a rude and foolish person; but he did not show any resentment.

Once, when he was Superior of the Congregation, one of his subjects snatched a letter out of his hand; but the saint took the affront with incomparable meekness, and neither in look, nor word, nor in gesture betrayed the slightest emotion.

Patience had so completely become a habit with him, that he was never seen in a passion. He checked the first movement of resentful feeling; his countenance calmed instantly, and he reassumed his usual modest smile.

Prayer

Philip, my holy Advocate, who didst bear persecution and calumny, pain and sickness, with so admirable a patience, gain for me the grace of true fortitude under all the trials of this life. Alas! how do I need patience! I shrink from every small inconvenience; I sicken under every light affliction; I fire up at every trifling contradiction; I fret and am cross at every little suffering of body. Gain for me the grace to enter with hearty good-will into all such crosses as I may receive day by day from my Heavenly Father. Let me imitate thee, as thou didst imitate my Lord and Saviour, that so, as thou hast attained heaven by thy calm endurance of bodily and mental pain, I too may attain the merit of patience, and the reward of life everlasting.

Friday after the Octave of the Ascension

Friday after the Octave of the Ascension

As Sunday governs the whole week, to-day is celebrated the Mass of the previous Sunday, with the Collects  and the Preface of the Ascension. But neither the Creed nor the proper Communicantes is said.

This Mass tells of the virtue of charity, for the Holy Ghost whom Christ is about to send us is a Spirit of love. As Spirit of charity He dispenses His gifts for the benefit of all (Epistle); as Spirit of truth He makes us understand the teaching of Jesus.

The Holy Ghost will also console us in the midst of our tribulation (Gospel), and "will keep us from evil" (Communion).

Exaudi, Domine, vocem meam, qua clamavi ad te, alleluia: tibi dixit cor meum, quaesivi vultum tuum, vultum tuum, Domine, requiram: ne avertas faciem tuam a me, alleluia, alleluia. * Dominus illuminatio mea, et salus mea: quem timebo?

Hear, O Lord, my voice with which I have cried to Thee, alleluia; my heart hath said to Thee, I have sought Thy face, Thy face, O Lord, I will seek: turn not away Thy face from me, alleluia, alleluia. * The Lord is my light and my salvation: whom shall I fear?

(Psalm 26:7,8,9,1 from the Introit of Mass)

Omnipotens sempiterne Deus: fac nos tibi semper et devotam gerere voluntatem: et majestati tuae sincero corde servire.

O almighty and eternal God, grant us ever to have a will devoted to Thee, and with a sincere heart to serve Thy majesty.

(Collect)

Novena of Preparation for the Feast of St Philip Neri. Day 6.

May 22 - Philip's Cheerfulness

Philip welcomed those who consulted him with singular benignity, and received them, though strangers, with as much affection as if he had been a long time expecting them. When he was called upon to be merry, he was merry; when he was called upon to feel sympathy with the distressed, he was equally ready.

Sometimes he left his prayers and went down to sport and banter with young men, and by this sweetness and condescension and playful conversation gained their souls.

He could not bear anyone to be downcast or pensive, because spirituality is always injured by it; but when he saw anyone grave and gloomy, he used to say, "Be merry." He had a particular and marked leaning to cheerful persons.

At the same time he was a great enemy to anything like rudeness or foolery; for a buffooning spirit not only does not advance in religion, but roots out even what is already there.

One day he restored cheerfulness to Father Francesco Bernardi, of the Congregation, by simply asking him to run with him, saying, "Come now, let us have a run together."

His penitents felt that joy at being in his room that they used to say, Philip's room is not a room, but an earthly Paradise.

To others, to merely stand at the door of his room, without going in, was a release from all their troubles. Others recovered their lost peace of mind by simply looking Philip in the face. To dream of him was enough to comfort many. In a word, Philip was a perpetual refreshment to all those who were in perplexity and sadness.

No one ever saw Philip melancholy; those who went to him always found him with a cheerful and smiling countenance, yet mixed with gravity.

When he was ill he did not so much receive as impart consolation. He was never heard to change his voice, as invalids generally do, but spoke in the same sonorous tone as when he was well. Once, when the physicians had given him over, he said, with the Psalmist, "Paratus sum et non sum turbatus" ("I am ready, and am not troubled"). He received Extreme Unction four times, but with the same calm and joyous countenance.

Prayer

Philip, my glorious Advocate, who didst ever follow the precepts and example of the Apostle St. Paul in rejoicing always in all things, gain for me the grace of perfect resignation to God's will, of indifference to matters of this world, and a constant sight of Heaven; so that I may never be disappointed at the Divine providences, never desponding, never sad, never fretful; that my countenance may always be open and cheerful, and my words kind and pleasant, as becomes those who, in whatever state of life they are, have the greatest of all goods, the favour of God and the prospect of eternal bliss.

Thursday the Octave Day of the Ascension

Thursday the Octave Day of the Ascension

Jesus ascended into heaven, there to prepare a place for us, for us. Ascension is but a type of our own. Also He will come again to take un to Himself (Gospel) and introduce us into His Father's kingdom.

He went up to heaven to proclaim the dogma we sing every day in this octave in the Credo; "I believe in the Holy Ghost, who procccacth from the Father and the Son." And it is from heaven above that He, with the Father, is about to send us the Holy Ghost.

He went up to heaven because glorified human nature requires such a place of glory as heaven1.

Finally, He went up to heaven because, after having been brought to a belief in His Divinity, the apostles and the disciples of our Lord must also be led to believe in His humanity, henceforth invisible here below.

Viri Galilaei, quid admiramini aspicientes in caelum? alleluia: quemadmodum vidistis eum ascendentem in caelum, ita veniet, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. * Omnes gentes, plaudite manibus: jubilate Deo in voce exsultationis.
Ye men of Galilee, why wonder you, looking up to heaven? alleluia. He shall so come as you have seen Him going up into heaven, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. * O, clap your hands, all ye nations; shout unto God, with the voice of exultation.
(Acts 1:11 and Psalm 44:2 from the Introit of Mass.)

Concede, quaesumus, omnipotens Deus: ut, qui hodierna die Unigenitum tuum Redemptorem nostrum ad caelos ascendisse credimus, ipsi quoque mente in caelestibus habitemus.
Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that we who believe Thine only-begotten Son, our Redeemer, to have this day ascended into heaven, may ourselves dwell in spirit amid heavenly things.
(Collect)

21st May, Blessed John Hale, Martyr

A secular priest, Vicar of Ilseworth, who suffered martyrdom, at the same time as the Holy Carthusians. Died at Tyburn, 4th May 1535. Beatified 1888 by Pope Leo XIII.

From the Catholic Encyclopaedia: "With them died a secular priest, Blessed John Hale, LL.B., Fellow of King's Hall, Cambridge, and Vicar of Isleworth, Middlesex, since 13 August, 1521. He took this living in exchange for the Rectory of Cranford, Middlesex, which he had held since 11 September, 1505. There is nothing to identify him with the Rector of Chelmsford of 1492. He may possibly be the person of this name who became scholar of Eton in 1485. He was indicted 20 April, 1535, with the perpetual curate of Teddington, Middlesex, named Robert Feron, for offences against 25 Henry VIII, c. 22. Both pleaded guilty and were condemned; but Feron was pardoned. Hale was the fourth to suffer."


Sancti tui, Domine, benedicent te: gloriam regni tui dicent, alleluia, alleluia. * Exaltabo te, Deus meus Rex: et benedicam nomini tuo in saeculum, et in saeculum saeculi.

Let the saints bless Thee, O Lord; they shall speak of the glory of Thy kingdom, alleluia, alleluia. * I will extol Thee, O God my King: and I will bless Thy name for ever; yea, for ever and ever.

(Psalm 144:10-11,1 from the Introit of Mass)

Source of Picture: http://www.saintdunstan.org.uk/section/9

Novena of Preparation for the Feast of St Philip Neri. Day 5.

May 21 - Philip's Tenderness of Heart

Philip could not endure the very sight of suffering; and though he abhorred riches, he always wished to have money to give in alms.

He could not bear to see children scantily clothed, and did all he could to get new clothes for them.

Oppressed and suffering innocence troubled him especially; when a Roman gentleman was falsely accused of having been the death of a man, and was imprisoned, he went so far as to put his cause before the Pope, and obtained his liberation.

A priest was accused by some powerful persons, and was likely to suffer in consequence. Philip took up his cause with such warmth that he established his innocence before the public.

Another time, hearing of some gipsies who had been unjustly condemned to hard labour, he went to the Pope, and procured their freedom. His love of justice was as great as his tenderness and compassion.

Soon after he became a Priest there was a severe famine in Rome, and six loaves were sent to him as a present. Knowing that there was in the same house a poor foreigner suffering from want of food, he gave them all to him, and had for the first day nothing but olives to eat.

Philip had a special tenderness towards artisans, and those who had a difficulty of selling their goods. There were two watchmakers, skilful artists, but old and burdened with large families. He gave them a large order for watches, and contrived to sell them among his friends.

His zeal and liberality specially shone forth towards poor girls. He provided for them when they had no other means of provision. He found marriage dowries for some of them; to others he gave what was sufficient to gain their admittance into convents.

He was particularly good to prisoners, to whom he sent money several times in the week.

He set no limits to his affection for the shrinking and bashful poor, and was more liberal in his alms towards them.

Poor students were another object of his special compassion; he provided them not only with food and clothing, but also with books for their studies. To aid one of them he sold all his own books.

He felt most keenly any kindness done to him, so that one of his friends said: "You could not make Philip a present without receiving another from him of double value."

He was very tender towards brute animals. Seeing someone put his foot on a lizard, he cried out, "Cruel fellow! what has that poor animal done to you?"

Seeing a butcher wound a dog with one of his knives, he could not contain himself, and had great difficulty in keeping himself cool.

He could not bear the slightest cruelty to be shown to brute animals under any pretext whatever. If a bird came into the room, he would have the window opened that it might not be caught.

Prayer

Philip, my glorious Advocate, teach me to look at all I see around me after thy pattern as the creatures of God. Let me never forget that the same God who made me made the whole world, and all men and all animals that are in it. Gain me the grace to love all God's works for God's sake, and all men for the sake of my Lord and Saviour who has redeemed them by the Cross. And especially let me be tender and compassionate and loving towards all Christians, as my brethren in grace. And do thou, who on earth was so tender to all, be especially tender to us, and feel for us, bear with us in all our troubles, and gain for us from God, with whom thou dwellest in beatific light, all the aids necessary for bringing us safely to Him and to thee.