Saturday, December 13, 2008

Feast days of the week 7-13 December, A.D. 2008 (1962 liturgical calendar).

Saturday, 13 December, 2008 (Advent)
ST LUCY, Virgin and Martyr (III)
"Born at Syracuse in Sicily of noble parents, St. Lucy gave herself to Jesus and chose death rather than lose the incorruptible treasure of her virginity, A.D. 303. Her name occurs in the Canon of the Mass."

Collect: Hear us, O God, our Saviour: and as we rejoice in the feast of blessed Lucy, Thy Virgin and Martyr: so we may learn a filial devotion 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.
Epistle: Second Letter of Bl. Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians, 10:17-18.
[Jesus is the heavenly Bridegroom of chaste souls.]
Gospel: Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, 13:44-52.
[The parable of the hidden treasure, of the pearl of great price and of the net cast into the sea.]

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, December 12, 2008

Feast days of the week 7-13 December, A.D. 2008 (1962 liturgical calendar).

Friday, 12 December, 2008 (Advent)
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE, Patroness of the Americas (III)
(in U.S.A.)
Collect: O God, Who hast willed that, under the special patronage of the blessed Virgin Mary, we be laden with perpetual favors, grant to Thy suppliants that, as we this day rejoice in her commemoration on earth, we may enjoy the vision of her in heaven. Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end.
Lesson: From the Book of Ecclesiasticus, 24:23-31.
[As Wisdom the Blessed Virgin sets forth her origin, her dwelling, her dignity, and her fruits.]
Gospel: Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Luke, 1:37-47.
[The Visitation of our Blessed Lady. The Blessed Virgin Mary visits Elizabeth and Jesus visits and sanctifies John. Wherefore St. John leaps with joy and Elizabeth filled with the Holy Ghost exclaims: “Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb.’]

FERIAL (Comm.)
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.
[It is now the hour for us to rise from sleep ... Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness ... and walk honestly.]
Gospel: Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Luke, 12:25-33.
[We learn in this Gospel of the Second Coming of Christ: to render to each one according to his works.]

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)

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Feast days of the week 7-13 December, A.D. 2008 (1962 liturgical calendar).

Thursday, 11 December, 2008 (Advent)
ST DAMASUS, Pope, Confessor (III)
"St. Damasus became Pope in 366, after the persecutions were over. He condemned Arianism, commanded St. Jerome to translate the Holy Scriptures into Latin, and composed inscriptions for the sepulchres of the Roman martyrs. He died A.D. 384."

Collect: Look forgivingly on Thy flock, Eternal Shepherd, and keep it in Thy constant protection, by the intercession of blessed Damasus, Thy Sovereign Pontiff, whom Thou didst constitute Shepherd of the whole Church. Through our Lord Jesus Christ who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end.
Epistle: First Letter of Bl. Peter the Apostle, 5:1-4; 10-11.
[Christ is the model for the Pope. The Pope directs the Church with love according to the will of God.]
Gospel: Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, 16:13-19.
[Peter’s confession of the Godhead of Christ. He is declared by Our Lord to be the Rock on which the Church rests securely.]

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)

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Feast days of the week 7-13 December, A.D. 2008 (1962 liturgical calendar).

Wednesday, 10 December 2008 (Advent)
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.
[It is now the hour for us to rise from sleep ... Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness ... and walk honestly.]
Gospel: Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Luke, 12:25-33.
[We learn in this Gospel of the Second Coming of Christ: to render to each one according to his works.]

ST MELCHIADES, Pope, Martyr (Comm.)
“St. Melchiades died peacefully, after undergoing great sufferings in the persecution of Maximian, A.D. 314.”

Collect: O God, who didst solidly found Thy Church on the apostolic rock and dost shield her from the dreaded gates of hell, grant, we beseech Thee, through the intercession of blessed Melchiades Thy Martyr and Sovereign Pontiff, that under Thy sure protection she may persevere in Thy truth. Through our Lord Jesus Christ who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end.

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)

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Feast days of the week 7-13 December, A.D. 2008 (1962 liturgical calendar).

Tuesday, 9 December, 2008 (Advent)
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.
[It is now the hour for us to rise from sleep ... Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness ... and walk honestly.]
Gospel: Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Luke, 12:25-33.
[We learn in this Gospel of the Second Coming of Christ: to render to each one according to his works.]

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)

Monday, December 08, 2008

Feast days of the week 7-13 December, A.D. 2008 (1962 liturgical calendar).

Monday, 8 December, 2008
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.
[The excellence of Wisdom. The Church applies this lesson to Our Lady.]
Gospel: Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Luke, 1:26-28.
[The Angelical Salutation: Our Lady is “full of grace”.]

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.
[It is now the hour for us to rise from sleep ... Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness ... and walk honestly.]
Gospel: Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Luke, 12:25-33.
[We learn in this Gospel of the Second Coming of Christ: to render to each one according to his works.]

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)

Sunday, December 07, 2008

Feast days of the week 7-13 December, A.D. 2008 (1962 liturgical calendar).

Sunday, 7 December, 2008
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT (I)
"Numerous allusions appear in the Liturgy of this day to Jerusalem and her people. Let us be filled with the sentiments of hope and of joy, for the coming of Jesus is nigh. Let us prepare the way in our hearts for the Messias: Our Lord and Redeemer Jesus Christ.”

Collect: Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the ways of Thine only-begotten Son: that through His coming we may deserve to serve Thee with purified minds: 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, 15:4-13.
[“A root of Jesse shall rise up” for the salvation of Hebrews and Gentiles.]
Gospel: Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, 11:2-10.
[John the Baptist, sent “to prepare the way for the Messias”, puts the question to Jesus: “Art Thou He that art to come?” Reply of Jesus to the Precursor.]

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: From the Second Letter of Bl. Paul the Apostle to Timothy, 4:1-8.
[St. Paul admonishes Timothy to hold firmly the sound doctrine of the Gospel. The Doctors of the Church were also renowned for their orthodoxy and their theological learning.]
Gospel: Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, 5:13-19.
[Like the Apostles, the Doctors of the Church are the salt of the earth and the light of the world.]

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)

Saturday, December 06, 2008

Feast days of the week 30 November -6 December, A.D. 2008 (1962 liturgical calendar).

Saturday, 6 December, 2008 (Advent)
First Saturday
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.
[The faithful are exhorted to honour and obey their prelates.]
Gospel: Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, 25:14-23.
[The parable of the talents is applied to Confessor Bishops.]

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, December 05, 2008

Feast days of the week 30 November -6 December, A.D. 2008 (1962 liturgical calendar).

Friday, 5 December, 2008 (Advent)
First Friday
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.
[It is now the hour for us to rise from sleep ... Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness ... and walk honestly.]
Gospel: Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Luke, 121:25-33.
[We learn in this Gospel of the Second Coming of Christ: to render to each one according to his works.]

ST SABBAS, Abbot (Comm.)
"St. Sabbas 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.
[The just man that hath not gone after earthly things is praised on earth and shall have glory everlasting.]
Gospel: Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Luke 12:35-40.
[Christ admonishes all to watch and be ready for His coming.]

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)

Thursday, December 04, 2008

Feast days of the week 30 November -6 December, A.D. 2008 (1962 liturgical calendar).

Thursday, 4 December, 2008 (Advent)
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.
[St. Paul admonishes Timothy to hold firmly the sound doctrine of the Gospel. The Doctors of the Church were also renowned for their orthodoxy and their theological learning.]
Gospel: Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, 5:13-19.
[Like the Apostles, the Doctors of the Church are the salt of the earth and the light of the world.]

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.
[The Church, in union with the Virgin martyrs offers to the Lord praise and thanksgiving.]
Gospel: Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, 25:1-13.
[The parable of the ten virgins. They that were ready went in with the heavenly Bridegroom to the Eternal Banquet.]

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)

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Feast days of the week 30 November -6 December, A.D. 2008 (1962 liturgical calendar).

Wednesday, 3 December 2008 (Advent)
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.
[“How beautiful are they that preach the Gospel of peace”, the faith in Christ.]
Gospel: Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Mark, 16:15-18.
[Preach the Gospel of peace throughout the whole world.]

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)

Monday, December 01, 2008

Feast days of the week 30 November -6 December, A.D. 2008 (1962 liturgical calendar).

Tuesday, 2 December, 2008 (Advent)
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.
[Utterance of praise and thanksgiving.]
Gospel: Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Luke, 12:35-40.
[The parables of the hidden treasure, of the pearl of great price and of the net cast into the sea.]

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)

Why can't I marry my tractor?

In every state where the question of “homosexual marriage” has appeared on the ballot, it has been voted down. Nevertheless, the powerful and well funded homosexual lobby, abetted by a credulous, pliant and willing media, screams like a spoiled child, and will push and shove our soporific population until it gets its way. And, if it cannot have its way in the charade of the legislature it will, sooner or later, get its way by appeal to the true rulers of these United States, the judicial class. So much for the political scene.

Why is should the Catholic care about this? First, because homosexuals are men who engage in grave sin and I must, as a Catholic, hope and pray that they will find their way out of their sin just as I hope and pray that every sinner bound up in grave sin (myself, when it applies, included) will find his way out of the sin to confession, repentance, absolution, forgiveness, and penance. In that respect I do not view the man who engages in homosexual activity any differently than the man who engages in, say, adultery. The difference lies in the politics, and that is the second reason the Catholic should care about this.

An adulterer is an individual who engages in a grave sin. He may identify himself based on his philandering and may even - correctly - claim that his is a special “lifestyle”. But he doesn’t claim special privilege because of it. No one hears any discussion about “adulterer’s rights” because, in fact, there is no legal difference between the person who practices adultery and the one who does not. The adulterer can vote in an election, and so can the non-adulterer. The non-adulterer cannot break traffic laws with impunity, and neither can the adulterer. On an individual level, the act places the adulterer in a different place than the non-adulterer with respect to God and His judgment, but on a societal level adultery is invisible to the law, and only becomes a problem if it becomes widespread and accepted, because it is destructive to the general good order.
Likewise homosexuality. To be clear, homosexuality is a behavior in which an individual chooses to engage. The reasons that he chooses to do so may be as varied as those of the adulterer and, like the adulterer, the homosexual may identify himself based on his behavior, claiming that he has a different “lifestyle” than the man who does not engage in that activity. Like the adulterer, the act places the homosexual in a different place with respect to God and His judgment. Like adultery, homosexuality is generally invisible to the law, and only becomes a problem for society if it becomes widespread because, like adultery or any other immoral sexual activity, it is destructive to the general good order.

Consider: the homosexual claims he is discriminated against because he cannot marry another homosexual. However, what we really have is a man who desires to marry another man. So, we have a man, let us call him Joe, who wants to marry another man, and claims he is discriminated against because he cannot. But, I cannot marry another man either, so how is Joe discriminated against? Joe will say that the reason he cannot marry another man is because he and the other man wish to engage in homosexual activity. Well, suppose I wish to marry another man because he is a squash player and will play squash with me if I marry him. I still cannot marry him. I can claim that the reason I cannot marry him is because he is a squash player but the true reason that I cannot marry him is because he is a man. Besides, I do not need to marry him to play squash with him. Likewise, the man who engages in homosexual activity does not need to marry another man in order to copulate together. They can do it without being married. Where I live that goes on all the time. But for a man to marry another man is destructive to the institution of marriage in specific, and societal good order in general. Why? Marriage is a unique societal institution whose function is the renewal of society through the begetting, raising and educating of children. This bears repeating: the purpose of marriage is the renewal of society. There are wholesome and legitimate marriages which are for whatever reason childless, but that doesn’t change the primary purpose of marriage. It is also true that children can be begotten in ways other than marriage. They can be created quasi-synthetically, or they can be produced outside of natural marriage using the old fashioned methods of fornication or, perhaps, adultery. But the production of children leaves open the question of how they are to be raised (and, thus, how the society will renew itself), and there are only three answers to that question: the family, the state (which would include various state-derived experiments like communes and “same sex couples” raising children), or the street. Experience across all stable societies and thousands of years has shown the first choice to be, in general, the best one by far. So, marriage is central to the good order of society be cause it is central to the orderly renewal of society. A family comes from a marriage, and a marriage is between a man and a woman because children are produced only by a man and a woman.

So why can’t a man marry a man? Because the definition of marriage is a man married to a woman. I can cohabitate with another man, and I can engage in sex with another man, but by definition I cannot marry another many. Why can’t we broaden the definition? First, because changing the definition nullifies the definition. The “union” becomes a contract between two individuals, nothing more, and whatever it is you have, it is not a marriage. It is something else. Second, if two men can “marry”, there is no logical limit to who, or what, can be “married”. Why can’t three men get “married”? Three men and a boy? Three men and a teenage girl? A woman and a dolphin? Indeed, why I can’t I marry my tractor? I love my tractor, and we are in a stable long term relationship. But this is silly, you say. Well, so is marriage between two men.