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Surrexit Christus spes mea

by VP

Posted on Sunday March 31, 2024 at 01:00AM in Tradition

Eugène Burnand: Peter and John Running to the Tomb

Peter and John Running to the Tomb Eugène Burnand (1850 – 1921)

Christians, to the Paschal victim
offer your thankful praises!

A lamb the sheep redeemeth:
Christ, who only is sinless,
reconcileth sinners to the Father.

Death and life have contended
in that combat stupendous:
the Prince of life, who died,
reigns immortal.

Speak, Mary, declaring
what you saw, wayfaring:
"The tomb of Christ, who is living,
the glory of Jesus' resurrection;

"Bright angels attesting,
the shroud and napkin resting.
"Yea, Christ my hope is arisen;
to Galilee he will go before you."

Christ indeed from death is risen,
our new life obtaining;
have mercy, victor King, ever reigning!

Amen! Alleluia!

Catholic Chant

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Holy Saturday: "He descended into hell, the third day he rose again from the dead.”

by VP

Posted on Saturday March 30, 2024 at 01:00AM in Tradition

James Tissot - Holy Saturday

"The Savior of the world, having expired on the cross, and by His death paid the ransom due to the divine justice for the sins of men, descended into Limbo, to deliver thence those just souls who were waiting for their Redeemer, and were prepared to enter with Him into glory. Inexpressible was the joy of those holy souls at the presence of their Redeemer, who having conquered death and hell, came down in the happy character of a deliverer, and demanded them from their long confinement, to take part in his triumphs. It was the Messias whom they expected; and He being come, they think all the time of their banishment to have been as nothing, beginning now to enjoy Him, whom they had so long desired, and whom no time can ever more take from them. The same will be the happiness of every one that dies well. Whether the evils of life have been great or inconsiderable, long or short, they all disappear at the hour of a happy death, and are lost in eternity.

Our Blessed Redeemer was pleased to be taken down from the cross, and laid in a sepulchre, so to confirm to all generations the truth of His death for us, and of His resurrection from the dead. Pray that by a firm faith of what He has suffered for us, you may plentifully partake of His mercies, and daily increase in that hope and love, which are to bring you to the possession of Him. From His sacred body being laid in the sepulchre, you may learn the mystery which is taught you this day, that you also ought to be buried together with Him; that you are not only to labour that in the likeness of His death the old man may die in you, but that he may be buried also; so that he be altogether hidden from the world, and that nothing may appear in us but the new man, who is renewed in us by his death.

What happy fruit of Christ's passion would it be to us, could we obtain this mercy! We are convinced of the folly of sin, and the vanity of all that pleases for a moment; we are tired of our corruption; but who will deliver us from the body of this death? None can do this but Jesus. Wherefore apply yourself to Him: sit at His sepulchre, and by His sacred passion beseech Him to have compassion on you, to help you in the relief of your necessities, and give you the victory which you desire." The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother

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Maundy Thursday and the Altar of Repose

by VP

Posted on Thursday March 28, 2024 at 01:00AM in Tradition

Institution of the Holy Eucharist, ©CAPG

"Jesus having loved His own, who were in the world, He loved them unto the end. This love He expressed in a more particular manner in the institution of the Holy Eucharist on this day. Being now about to depart out of the world, He left us His sacred Body and Blood under the forms of bread and wine; that so, being ascended to His Father, He might not leave us orphans, but still abide with us for the food and nourishment of our souls in their spiritual life, for the support of our banishment, and the comfort of our pilgrimage. He gave Himself to us in this Blessed Sacrament, to be our security in dangers, our strength in temptations, our physician in all distempers, our counsel in difficulties, our encouragement in troubles, and our help in infirmities. In fine, He gave Himself to us, to be all to us that can be necessary for carrying us through the evils of this life, to the possession of that eternal happiness, which He has purchased for us with the price of His Blood.

This was the pure effect of His mercy and love to us: for if we look upon ourselves, what do we see there? Nothing but ingratitude, monstrous self-love, pride, sensuality, stubbornness, and sin. That He should stoop to that humiliating expedient of becoming our food, is the work of His mercy and love to us. It is this love that we are called upon this day to acknowledge and adore: and it must be a reproach to us of insensibility, if we are wanting in this duty.

This is performed in part, by preparing a place for the Blessed Eucharist, which the faithful are accustomed to call the Sepulchre, where it is deposited after Mass on this day, and surrounded with lights, flowers, and other ornaments. As far as these are acknowledgments of our respect and gratitude, they will be acceptable to Him whom we thus honour. But we must pour forth our hearts to God, as we devoutly visit this sepulchre, in the confession of His power and goodness; we must return Him our love for His love to us: and beseech Him to complete the mercy of this day, by teaching us worthily to praise Him, and sincerely to love Him." Maundy Thursday, The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother

The Office of Holy Week, 1870

"It is not uncommon to hear Maundy Thursday referred to as Holy Thursday. This is a mistake. Holy Thursday is a name belonging absolutely from time immemorial to the Feast of the Ascension. Maundy is a significant name and ought therefore to be jealously guarded. Enough of that element of religion which serves to make it popular has been lost in the course of past centuries.

The word Maundy is derived, through the French maundier, from the Latin mandatum: "Mandatum novum do vobis," (a new commandment I give unto you) John, 13:34. The Mandatum or Maundy was the ceremony of the washing of the feet and almsgiving observed on this day, both of which were performed as a token of that brotherly love which Christ so earnestly inculcated at the last supper.

The ceremony of the washing of the feet was and is part of the liturgy. It was performed by Pope, Bishop, and priest, and kings, nobles and peasants imitated their example. Twelve poor men were selected to be the recipients of the dignitaries' favor.

The Maundy is observed in the ceremonies of the church, and in many religious communities even at the present time.

Visiting the repositories is a custom as popular of old as it is today. It is indeed edifying to Catholic and non-Catholic alike to witness the spontaneous demonstration of devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, and deeper than we are aware of is the impression produced on the multitude of unbelievers around us by this and similar acts of faith." Source: Maine Catholic Historical Magazine, 1914

Altar of Repose, Institute Christ the King, ©DC

" To draw his people more effectually to the holy Eucharist, the Cure d'Ars had endeavoured to communicate to them a taste for all holy things, and his efforts were not in vain. Sunday after Sunday these good people feasted their eyes on beautiful banners and vestments.

("In the minutes of the pastoral visitation held at Ars by the Bishop of Belley, on Monday, June 11, 1838, we read as follows: "After saying Mass and giving confirmation, His Lordship contented himself with giving Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and reciting the prayers for the departed. He deemed it unnecessary to examine the interior of the church, the chapels, vestments and sacred vessels, because everything is so beautiful and so rich that the beholder is filled with admiration" Msgr. Convert. Le Frere Athanase.)

For a long time the saint himself trained the altar boys, and achieved wonderful results. He carried out with gravity, dignity, and the utmost care all the ceremonies of the rite of Lyons, which at that time was likewise in use in the diocese of Belley. Nor was the behaviors of the altar servers less admirable when, in 1849, Frere Athanase undertook the functions of master of ceremony.

He had so fine a liturgical spirit, and he drilled the children with so much precision and good taste, that Mgr. de Langalerie, during a clergy retreat, held him up as a pattern to the clergy of the diocese. "Do you wish to see a church where all the ceremonies are carried out to the letter? Go to Ars; Frere Athanase is a living and unerring ceremonial. His example will show you what you can achieve yourselves if you will only take the means."

There were days when the people of Ars gave special edification to the pilgrims. On Maundy Thursday, in order to commemorate the institution of the Holy Eucharist, M. Vianney insisted on providing a splendid altar of repose, and his heart rejoiced at sight of the decorations which enhanced the majesty of the tabernacle. The whole of the chancel, which had been considerably enlarged in 1845, was draped with banners. Numerous and tastefully arranged lights transfigured the scene. However, he took every precaution lest these decorations should be a hindrance instead of a help to the interior recollection of the people."

Source: The Cure d'Ars, Abbe Trochu

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Spy Wednesday and Tenebrae

by VP

Posted on Wednesday March 27, 2024 at 02:00AM in Tradition

Book of Hours: The Betrayal of Christ, c. 1470-1485. Maitre Francois (public domain)

: Wednesday in Holy Week

"Admire the silence with which Christ suffers His many injuries. Who would not have supposed that Divine Justice would have armed every spectator to revenge such terrible treatment? Or, that, as least, Jesus would have defended His innocence with His own sublime eloquence? It is otherwise: "Jesus was silent." Ah, me - the innocent Jesus is accused of so many crimes, before so many judges, in the sight of so many people; and ill-report is His, dangers surround Him, thorns, nails, the cross, await Him - and He is altogether silent. "Jesus was silent." He would supply for your pride by His shame, and so He is silent."But He held His tongue."

Learn to hate your impatient volubility, when you have to suffer anything similar. "Come hither my Jesus and teach me silence." Compare your innocence with His, the accusations you incur with those of Jesus, the reasons for self defense you think you have with those of your Master. Set the sentence you have to fear side by side with that He incurred. "He was silent." And you? You can only blush for your querulous loquacity." Bellacio. "Remember me": daily readings for Lent 1924, International Catholic Truth Society

The hearse at Tenebrae, Institute Christ the King. ©DC

Tenebrae pdf file

THE TRIANGULAR CANDLESTICK AT THE TENEBRAE.

Question: What is the meaning of the fifteen candles which are extinguished one by one during the chanting of the Psalms at the Matin Office (Tenebrae) during the last three days of Holy Week? The Office of Holy Week (Baltimore edition), which gives the liturgical text, with the rubrics in English, says: "When about to celebrate this part of the office, they place in front of the altar a large triangular candlestick containing several lighted candles, one of which is extinguished after each psalm." De Herdt, I am told, mentions the number of candles as fifteen, but gives no definite explanation of the mystic significance. Is the number essential, or is it merely optional, and expressive of the gradual darkness that came upon the world through sin from which Christ, symbolized by the light at the top which alone remains burning, has delivered us?

Resp. The most prevalent interpretation of the symbolic candlestick commonly called Herse (hersa, hearse, hercia)(1) during the Middle Ages, was that it signified the patriarchs and prophets, whose teaching served the world as a light leading up to Christ. who became the all-absorbing Light illuminating man to the end of time. There are seven lights on each side leading to the apex of the triangle. These fourteen candles were usually of unbleached wax, while the one on top was of white wax. They represent the patriarchal church from Adam to Joseph on one side, and the Mosaic church from Moses to the last of the prophets on the other, for the number seven, according to the Midrash, is the most perfect and representative number. They counted seven Fathers of tribes, the last of whom was to be Moses, their deliverer-Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Levi, Kahath, Amram, Moses. Seven was the number of revelation (Ps. 96: 13).

Such was the fundamental idea. But since the Patriarchal and Mosaic revelations leading up to Christ might be variously represented by the principal agents of the divine purpose manifesting the coming of the Messiah, so the number of lights which were used to express the expectation of the nations for a Redeemer, and which were to disappear with His coming, varied. Adam, Noe, Abraham, and the succeeding leaders who inaugurated great revivals of the Messianic hope down to Esdras or Judas Maccabæus, might all be represented as lights. Hence there were sometimes as many as twenty-four candles. Feasey, in his Ancient Holy Week Ceremonial, writes: "This Tenebrae candlestick, called Herse or Hersa,' in English Cathedral statutes, is a large triangular candelabrum, or candlestick, or hearse of brass, latten or iron, upon which the tapers used in the Tenebrae office are set, and which is placed on the epistle or south side of the sanctuary and altar. . . . Calfhill says that in England it was called the Judas or Judas Cross.(2)" In some cases the lights were extinguished at once, or at two and three intervals. The six candles on the high altar which are extinguished during the signing of the Benedictus are usually taken to represent the light of Jewish righteousness passing between the birth of our Lord and His death and resurrection.

The upper light is not extinguished, but is hidden behind the altar, while the Miserere is recited in a low tone; after which it is restored to its place at the top of the candlestick, because God did not leave the soul of our Lord in darkness, but raised Him from the dead.

As stated above, the number of candles used in the Tenebrae office appears to have varied very much in the different churches: The Sarum Breviary says twenty-four; at Canterbury and York there were twenty-five; at Nevers there were nine; at Mans twelve; at Paris and Rheims thirteen; at Cambray and St. Quentin twenty-four; at Evreux twenty-five; at Amiens twenty-six; at Coutance forty-four. In some churches the candles corresponded to each psalm and lesson of the office.

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1. The word "hearse" (Latin, hercia) is derived through the French herse, from hericius, ericius, ericeus or critius, a harrow, or hedgehog, from its appearance. It was ordinarily used at funerals over the coffin or catafalque.

2. Wordsworth in his Medieval Services in England, says: "One of the candles in the herce for Tenebrae in Holy Week represented the traitor, and is sometimes called the Judas Candle. The antiphon sung at Lauds on Maundy Thursday, when the last light was darkened, was 'He that betrayed Him had given them a token' (Brev. Sar. 783). But what appears a Judace or the Jewes light was the forerunner of these modern dummies and save-alls which are sometimes reprehensively painted to counterfeit the true natural wax." This is the wooden base of the paschal candle blessed on Holy Saturday.

American Ecclesiastical Review, Volume 26, erman Joseph Heuser Catholic University of America Press, 1902

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Passion Friday: Our Lady Mother of Sorrows

by VP

Posted on Friday March 22, 2024 at 09:28AM in Tradition

Our Lady of Sorrow, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Dunn, NC ©VP

Our Lady, Mother of Sorrows pray for Priests, your special sons. Strengthen their faith and love of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament, so that they may turn to Him for the grace they need to live a life faithful to their calling. Bring comfort, consolation and courage to those who are suffering under the weight of the Cross. Give them the love of your Son and zeal for the honor and glory of God, and the salvation of souls. Amen

Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows:

Act of Contrition: O, most loving Redeemer, humbly prostrate at the foot of the Cross, I beg pardon from the bottom of my heart for all my sins which were the cause of Thy bitter Passion, and the overwhelming sorrow of Thy most afflicted Mother. O good Jesus, let not Thy Precious Blood be shed for me in vain. Let the sight of Thy Five Sacred Wounds plead ever to Thy Eternal Father, in behalf of my misery: and through the infinite merits of Thy sacred death and the bitter anguish of Thy holy Mother, grant me grace, dearest Lord, to atone for the past, and to persevere in Thy love and friendship for the future. Amen.

1. Let us meditate with profound humility on the first Sorrow of our Lady, when presenting her Son in the Temple, she heard the words of Holy Simeon, that this Child would be a sword to pierce her soul; a prophecy which clearly announced the Passion and Death of Christ our Redeemer.