FIRST PART OF THE LITURGICAL YEAR: THE CHRISTMAS CYCLE (MYSTERY OF THE INCARNATION).[i]
I. SEASON OF ADVENT (from the first Sunday of Advent to December 24).
"The liturgical texts used during the four weeks of the season of Advent remind the faithful of the ‘absence of Christ.’ The Collects of Advent do not end with, ‘through our Lord Jesus Christ,’ as during the rest of the year. In a spirit of penance and prayer we await the Mediator, the God-Man, preparing for His coming in the flesh, and also for His second coming as our Judge. The Masses for Advent strike a note of preparation and repentance mingled with joy and hope; hence, although the penitential purple is worn and the Gloria is omitted, the joyous Alleluia is retained. The readings from the Old Testament contained in the Introit, Gradual, offertory, and Communion of the Masses, taken mostly from the prophecies of Isaias and from the Psalms, give eloquent expression to the longing of all nations for a Redeemer. We are impressed by repeated and urgent appeals to the Messias: ‘Come, delay no longer.’ The Lessons from St. Paul urge us to dispose ourselves fittingly for His coming. The Gospels describe the terrors of the last Judgment, the Second Coming, and tell of the preaching of St. John the Baptist ‘to prepare the way of the Lord.’
In Advent, the Greek Church celebrates particularly the ancestors of Our Lord – all the Patriarchs and Prophets of the Old Testament, but especially Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The Latin Church also mentions them often in this period. In the Breviary, many texts are taken from Isaias (Introit of the second Sunday, Communion of the Third Sunday).
The idea of Advent is ‘Prepare you for the coming of Christ.’ Therefore the very appeals of the Patriarchs and the Prophets are put in our mouths in Advent. Prepare for the coming of Christ the Redeemer, who comes to prepare us for His Second Coming as Judge.
When the oracles of the Prophets were fulfilled and the Jews awaited the Messias, John the Baptist left the desert and came to the vicinity of the Jordan, bringing a baptism of penance to prepare the souls for the coming of Christ. The world took him to be the Messias, but he replied with the words of Isaias: ‘I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: prepare ye the way of the Lord.’
During Advent we make straight for Christ the way to our souls – and behold, our Lord will come at Christmas.”
[i] Remarks are abstracted from The Daily Missal and Liturgical Manual, from Editio Typica of the Roman Missal and Breviary, 1962
(Baronius Press Limited, London, 2004, in conjunction with the Fraternal Society of St. Peter, www.baroniuspress.com)
Friday, November 30, 2007
Feast days of the week 2-8 December, A.D. 2007 (1962 liturgical calendar).
FIRST PART OF THE LITURGICAL YEAR: THE CHRISTMAS CYCLE (MYSTERY OF THE INCARNATION).[1]
I. SEASON OF ADVENT
Sunday, 2 December, 2007
First Sunday of Advent (I)
"This First Sunday of Advent or the Fourth before Christmas, is the first day of the Liturgical Year. The Mass prepares us this day for the double coming (adventus) of mercy and justice. That is why St. Paul tells us, in the Epistle, to cast off sin in order that, being ready for the coming of Christ as our Saviour, we may also be ready for His coming as our Judge, of which we learn in the Gospel. Let us prepare ourselves, by pious aspirations and by the reformation of our life, for this twofold coming. Jesus our Lord will reward those who yearn for Him and await Him: ‘Those who trust in Him shall not be confounded.’”
Collect: Stir up Thy power, we beseech Thee, O Lord, and come: that from the threatening dangers of our sins we may deserve to be rescued by Thy protection, and to be saved by Thy deliverance: Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end.
Epistle: Bl. Paul the Apostle to the Romans, 13:11-14.
Gospel: Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Luke, 21:25-33.
St. Bibiana, Virgin, Martyr (III)
"St. Bibiana was martyred at Rome under Julian the Apostate A.D. 363."
Collect: O God, the giver of all good gifts, who in Thy handmaid Bibiana didst to the flower or virginity join the palm of martyrdom: do Thou, through her intercession, so unite our minds to Thee by the bonds of charity, that we may be shielded from every danger and reap eternal rewards. Through our Lord Jesus Christ Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end.
Lesson: From the Book of Ecclesiasticus, 51:13-17.
Gospel: Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Luke, 12:35-40.
Monday, 3 December, 2007
St. Francis Xavier, Confessor (III)
"One of the first companions of St. Ignatius Loyola, St. Francis Xavier, one of the greatest missionaries of all time, preached the Gospel in India and Japan. He converted innumerable pagans and died in 1552 on his way to China."
Collect: O God, who by the preaching and miracles of blessed Francis, wast pleased to join to Thy Church the nations of the Indies: mercifully grant that we who venerate his glorious merits, may likewise follow through the example of his virtues. Through our Lord Jesus Christ Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end.
Epistle: Second Letter of Bl. Paul the Apostle to the Romans, 10:10-18.
Gospel: Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Mark, 16:15-18.
Tuesday, 4 December, 2007
St. Peter Chrysologus, Bishop, Confessor, and Doctor of the Church (III)
"The holy Bishop of Ravenna was one of the most eloquent preachers of the Church (Chrysologus means ‘golden speech’). He died at Imola A.D. 450."
Collect: O God, who didst choose blessed Peter Chrysologus, the illustrious Doctor, and miraculously point him out as one fit to rule and instruct Thy Church: grant, we beseech Thee, that as we have had him for our teacher on earth, so we may have deserve to have him for our advocate in heaven. Through our Lord Jesus Christ Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end.
Epistle: Second Letter of Bl. Paul the Apostle to Timothy, 4:1-8.
Gospel: Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, 5:13-19.
St. Barbara, Virgin, Martyr (Comm.)
“This Virgin and Martyr died at Nicomedia about 235 A.D.”
Collect: O God, who among the other marvels of Thy power, hast granted even to the weaker sex the victory of martyrdom: mercifully grant that we who celebrate the heavenly birthday of blessed St. Barbara, Thy Virgin and Martyr, may be her example draw nearer to Thee. Through our Lord Jesus Christ Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end.
Lesson: From the Book of Ecclesiasticus, 51:1-8, 12.
Gospel: Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, 25:1-13.
Wednesday, 5 December, 2007
Ferial (III)
Collect: Stir up Thy power, we beseech Thee, O Lord, and come: that from the threatening dangers of our sins we may deserve to be rescued by Thy protection, and to be saved by Thy deliverance: Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end.
Epistle: Bl. Paul the Apostle to the Romans, 13:11-14. (Bl 8x7)
Gospel: Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Luke, 121:25-33.
St. Sabbas, Abbot (Comm.)
"St. Sabas organized monastic communities in Palestine and was famous for his virtues and austerities. He died A.D. 531.”"
Collect: O God, who sendest us joy year by year on the feast of blessed Sabas, Thy Confessor which we are now keeping: mercifully grant on this day of his heavenly birth that we may grow like him in deed. Through our Lord Jesus Christ Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end.
Lesson: From the Book of Ecclesiasticus, 31:8-11.
Gospel: Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Luke, 12:35-40.
Thursday, 6 December, 2007
St. Nicholas, Bishop and Confessor (III)
"The Bishop of Myra in Asia Minor is one of the most popular oriental saints. The spiritual and temporal needs of his flock were the first object of his pastoral care. This worker of miracles died A.D. 342; his body was eventually enshrined at Bari in Italy."
Collect: O God, who didst adorn the blessed Bishop Nicholas with countless miracles: grant, we beseech Thee, that by his merits and prayers we may be delivered from the flames of hell. Through our Lord Jesus Christ Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end.
Epistle: Bl. Paul the Apostle to the Hebrews, 13:7-17.
Gospel: Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, 25:14-23.
Friday, 7 December, 2007
First Friday
St. Ambrose, Bishop, Confessor, and Doctor of the Church (III)
"This Bishop of Milan was one of the four great doctors of the Western Church. As an orator he opposed the heretics, as a writer he enriched Latin literature with his sacred Hymns. He died A.D. 397."
Collect: Stir up Thy power, we beseech Thee, O Lord, and come: that from the threatening dangers of our sins we may deserve to be rescued by Thy protection, and to be saved by Thy deliverance: Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end.
Epistle: Second Letter of Bl. Paul the Apostle to Timothy, 4:1-8.
Gospel: Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, 5:13-19.
Saturday, 8 December, 2007
Holy Day of Obligation
FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION (I)
"’I will put enmities between thee and the woman.’ In these words, the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary was announced to our first parents. It was to be the reversal of the friendship with the serpent contracted by Eve, when she listened to his voice and fell under his power. The second Eve was never to be under the power of the devil; the enmity between them was to admit of no possible exception. This involved the grace of being conceived immaculate. Mary’s Immaculate Conception was the foundation of all her graces. The absence of any stain or spot of sin distinguished her from all the rest of mankind. It distinguished her from the holiest of Saints, since they, one and all, were sinners. Her perfect sinlessness was the source of all her glory and all her majesty; it was this which opened the door to the unlimited graces that she received from God; it was this that raised qualified her for her divine maternity, and raised her to the throne as Queen of heaven.
‘O Queen, conceived without original sin, pray for us, who have recourse to thee.’”
Collect: O God, who, by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin, didst prepare for Thy Son a worthy habitation, we beseech Thee, that as Thou didst preserve her from every stain by the foreseen death of this Thy Son, so Thou wouldst grant that we also being cleansed from guilt by her intercession, may come to Thee. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end.
Lesson: From the Book of Proverbs, 8:22-35.
Gospel: Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Luke, 1:26-28.
[1] Remarks are abstracted from The Daily Missal and Liturgical Manual, from Editio Typica of the Roman Missal and Breviary, 1962
(Baronius Press Limited, London, 2004, in conjunction with the Fraternal Society of St. Peter, www.baroniuspress.com)
Lesson: From the Book of Ecclesiasticus, 51:1-8, 12.
Gospel: Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, 25:1-13.
Wednesday, 5 December, 2007
Ferial (III)
Collect: Stir up Thy power, we beseech Thee, O Lord, and come: that from the threatening dangers of our sins we may deserve to be rescued by Thy protection, and to be saved by Thy deliverance: Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end.
Epistle: Bl. Paul the Apostle to the Romans, 13:11-14. (Bl 8x7)
Gospel: Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Luke, 121:25-33.
St. Sabbas, Abbot (Comm.)
"St. Sabas organized monastic communities in Palestine and was famous for his virtues and austerities. He died A.D. 531.”"
Collect: O God, who sendest us joy year by year on the feast of blessed Sabas, Thy Confessor which we are now keeping: mercifully grant on this day of his heavenly birth that we may grow like him in deed. Through our Lord Jesus Christ Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end.
Lesson: From the Book of Ecclesiasticus, 31:8-11.
Gospel: Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Luke, 12:35-40.
Thursday, 6 December, 2007
St. Nicholas, Bishop and Confessor (III)
"The Bishop of Myra in Asia Minor is one of the most popular oriental saints. The spiritual and temporal needs of his flock were the first object of his pastoral care. This worker of miracles died A.D. 342; his body was eventually enshrined at Bari in Italy."
Collect: O God, who didst adorn the blessed Bishop Nicholas with countless miracles: grant, we beseech Thee, that by his merits and prayers we may be delivered from the flames of hell. Through our Lord Jesus Christ Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end.
Epistle: Bl. Paul the Apostle to the Hebrews, 13:7-17.
Gospel: Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, 25:14-23.
Friday, 7 December, 2007
First Friday
St. Ambrose, Bishop, Confessor, and Doctor of the Church (III)
"This Bishop of Milan was one of the four great doctors of the Western Church. As an orator he opposed the heretics, as a writer he enriched Latin literature with his sacred Hymns. He died A.D. 397."
Collect: Stir up Thy power, we beseech Thee, O Lord, and come: that from the threatening dangers of our sins we may deserve to be rescued by Thy protection, and to be saved by Thy deliverance: Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end.
Epistle: Second Letter of Bl. Paul the Apostle to Timothy, 4:1-8.
Gospel: Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, 5:13-19.
Saturday, 8 December, 2007
Holy Day of Obligation
FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION (I)
"’I will put enmities between thee and the woman.’ In these words, the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary was announced to our first parents. It was to be the reversal of the friendship with the serpent contracted by Eve, when she listened to his voice and fell under his power. The second Eve was never to be under the power of the devil; the enmity between them was to admit of no possible exception. This involved the grace of being conceived immaculate. Mary’s Immaculate Conception was the foundation of all her graces. The absence of any stain or spot of sin distinguished her from all the rest of mankind. It distinguished her from the holiest of Saints, since they, one and all, were sinners. Her perfect sinlessness was the source of all her glory and all her majesty; it was this which opened the door to the unlimited graces that she received from God; it was this that raised qualified her for her divine maternity, and raised her to the throne as Queen of heaven.
‘O Queen, conceived without original sin, pray for us, who have recourse to thee.’”
Collect: O God, who, by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin, didst prepare for Thy Son a worthy habitation, we beseech Thee, that as Thou didst preserve her from every stain by the foreseen death of this Thy Son, so Thou wouldst grant that we also being cleansed from guilt by her intercession, may come to Thee. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end.
Lesson: From the Book of Proverbs, 8:22-35.
Gospel: Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Luke, 1:26-28.
[1] Remarks are abstracted from The Daily Missal and Liturgical Manual, from Editio Typica of the Roman Missal and Breviary, 1962
(Baronius Press Limited, London, 2004, in conjunction with the Fraternal Society of St. Peter, www.baroniuspress.com)
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