THE MORNING. A night has passed over the Tomb, wherein lies the buried the Body of the Man-God. Death is triumphant in that silent cave, and holds captive Him that gives life to every creature : — but his triumph will soon be at an end. The Soldiers may watch, as best they will, […]
THE MORNING The sun has risen upon Jerusalem. But the Priests and Scribes have not waited all this time without venting their rage upon Jesus. Annas, who was the first to receive the divine Captive, has had him taken to his son-in-law Caiphas, the High Priest. Here he is put through a series of […]
MAUNDY THURSDAY. THE MORNING. This is the first day of the Azymes, or Feast of the Unleavened Bread. At sun-set, the Jews must eat the Pasch in Jerusalem. Jesus is still in Bethania ; but he will return to the City before the hour for the Paschal supper. The Law commands this […]
WEDNESDAY IN HOLY WEEK. The Chief Priests and the Ancients of the people, are met to-day, in one of the rooms adjoining the Temple, for the purpose of deliberating on the best means of putting Jesus to death. Several plans are discussed. Would it be prudent to lay hands upon him at this season of […]
In his book The Spirit of the Liturgy, then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger writes about the connection between creation, the cross and Christ’s conception: “Jewish tradition gave the date of March 25 to Abraham’s sacrifice, this day was also regarded as the day of creation, the day when God’s word decreed: ‘Let there be light.’ It […]
MARCH 25 – THE ANNUNCIATION OF THE EVER BLESSED VIRGIN This is a great day, not only to man, but even to God Himself; for it is the anniversary of the most solemn event that time has ever witnessed. On this day, the divine Word, by whom the Father created the world, was made […]
PALM SUNDAY Hodie si vocem Domini audieritis, nolite obdurare corda vestra. To-day, if ye shall hear the voice of the Lord, harden not your hearts. Early in the morning of this day, Jesus sets out for Jerusalem, leaving Mary His Mother, and the two sisters Martha and Mary Magdalene, and Lazarus, at Bethania. The Mother […]
PRACTICE DURING PASSIONTIDE AND HOLY WEEK The past four weeks seems to have been but a preparation for the intense grief of the Church during these two. She knows that men are in search of her Jesus, and that they are bent on His death. Before twelve days are over, she will see them lay […]
CHAPTER THE SECOND THE MYSTERY Of PASSIONTIDE AND HOLY WEEK The holy liturgy is rich in mystery during these days of the Church’s celebrating the anniversaries of so many wonderful events; but as the principal part of these mysteries is embodied in the rites and ceremonies of the respective days, we shall give our explanations […]
From Dom Gueranger’s The Liturgical Year: Who can imagine or worthily describe the sentiments which filled the heart of this man, whom the Gospel describes to us in one word, when it calls him the just man (St. Matth. i. 19.)? Let us try to picture him to ourselves amidst the principal events of his life: his […]