Collect Pro S. Thoma Martyre Deus, pro cuius Ecclésia gloriósus Póntifex Thomas gládiis impiórum occúbuit: præsta, quǽsumus; ut omnes, qui eius implórant auxílium, petitiónis suæ salutárem consequántur efféctum. O God, for whose Church Bishop Thomas, now in glory, fell by the swords of wicked men, grant, we beseech You, that the prayers of all who […]
Introit Ps 8:3. Ex ore infántium, Deus, et lacténtium perfecísti laudem propter inimicos tuos. Ps 8:2 Dómine, Dóminus noster: quam admirábile est nomen tuum in univérsa terra! Out of the mouths of babes and of sucklings, O God, You have fashioned praise because of Your foes. Ps 8:2 O Lord, our Lord, how glorious is […]
Introit Eccli 15:5 In médio Ecclésiæ apéruit os eius: et implévit eum Dóminus spíritu sapiéntiæ et intelléctus: stolam glóriæ índuit eum Ps 91:2 Bonum est confitéri Dómino: et psállere nómini tuo, Altíssime. In the midst of the assembly the Lord opened his mouth; and filled him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding; He clothed […]
December 26—ST. STEPHEN, First Martyr THERE is good reason to believe that St. Stephen was one of the seventy-two disciples of our blessed Lord. After the Ascension he was chosen one of the seven deacons. The ministry of the seven was very fruitful; but Stephen especially, “full of grace and fortitude, did great wonders and […]
The following in from the book “Why do Catholics Eat Fish on Fridays?” Though Christmas is obviously still regarded as a Christian holiday, it should also be remembered that it is a deeply Catholic feast. To this day the anniversary of Our Lord’s birth is named after the Catholic Masses offered during it, Christmas being […]
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini was born as Maria Francesca Cabrini on July 15, 1850 in Sant’ Angelo Lodigiano, Lombardy, Italy. She was born two months premature and the youngest of thirteen children. Unfortunately, only three of her siblings survived past adolescence and Frances would live most of her life in a fragile and delicate state […]
Introit Ps 138:17. Mihi autem nimis honoráti sunt amíci tui, Deus: nimis confortátus est principatus eórum. Ps 138:1-2 Dómine, probásti me et cognovísti me: tu cognovísti sessiónem meam et resurrectiónem meam. To me, Your friends, O God, are made exceedingly honorable; their principality is exceedingly strengthened. Ps 138:1-2 O Lord, You have probed me and […]
THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT To-day, again, the Church is full of joy, and the joy is greater than it was. It is true that her Lord has not come; but she feels that He is nearer than before, and therefore she thinks it just to lessen some what the austerity of this penitential season […]
CHAPTER THE EIGHTH ON THE OFFICE OF COMPLINE DURING ADVENT This Office, which concludes the day, commences by a warning of the dangers of the night: then immediately follows the public confession of our sins, as a powerful means of propitiating the divine justice, and obtaining God’s help, now that we are going to spend […]
CHAPTER THE SEVENTH ON THE OFFICE OF VESPERS DURING ADVENT The limits which necessity requires us to put to this volume will not admit of our inserting any of the day Office beyond Vespers and Compline; moreover, the faithful rarely assist at any other of the Canonical Hours, during this part of the liturgical […]