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Saint Thomas the Apostle

by VP


Posted on Saturday December 21, 2024 at 12:00AM in Saints


File:Artus Wolffort - St Thomas.Jpeg
St. Thomas, by Artus Wolffort  (1581–1641)
"Saint Thomas was an apostle of Jesus Christ: pray for all the pastors of God's Church, who succeed in his holy functions. He propagated the gospel among the barbarous nations of the East: pray for all those people who are relapsed into idolatry, that God would be pleased to visit them. Pray for constancy for yourself.
St. Thomas was incredulous in the point of Christ's resurrection: pray for all unbelievers, who are obstinate in their errors; and for all who, through weakness or temptation, are disturbed with doubts in faith. He was a martyr: pray for constancy and patience for all that suffer for justice and truth: pray for all those who are visited with any affliction, whether temporal or spiritual.

It is not recorded in Scripture how St. Thomas was called to the apostleship; but the indispensable condition of an apostle being to leave all and follow Christ, it cannot be questioned that he did so. This was the perfection of their state, who were chosen to spread the Gospel throughout the world, and to carry the name of Christ before kings and princes. They were to renounce the earth, that they might be, without distractions, wholly attentive to the business of Heaven, and give evident proof of their having no other interest, but in Jesus Christ alone.

This apostle, having once undertaken to follow Christ, continued faithful to him; and gave sufficient evidence of his sincerity, when, apprehending His Master's life to be in danger by His going up to Jerusalem, and all the other apostles dissuading Him from it, he alone cried out: Let us also go, and die with Him. This was the test of a true disciple, not to think of leaving Christ when dangers threatened, but readily to offer himself to take part with his Master in all His sufferings. All the followers of Christ must endeavour to observe this rule. They are not only to be faithful in their duties to Him, when it is consistent with their interest, reputation, quiet, and spiritual comfort; for all this may be suspected; but they must likewise continue their fidelity, where they foresee that they are likely to be sufferers or losers by it. If a Christian tells the truth, when it is to his purpose, and defends himself by lies, when he apprehends that the truth will prove disadvantageous to him, is such a one a true disciple? or, can he say: Let us go and die with Christ, who is so unwilling to suffer anything for Him? If a Christian observes the rules of exact sobriety and discipline, when left to his own conduct, and yet joins with those who importune him to disorder and excess, rather than bear their raillery; -if, for fear of being pointed at, he follows a corrupt world, in all its prodigality, vanity, and luxury; if he would serve his neighbour, could it only be done without trouble; if his desires be to live virtuously and justly, but the apprehension of want puts him upon ways that are unjustifiable; if he would observe peace with his neighbours, but cannot bear their impertinent and disagreeable humours ;—if he would ask pardon for injuries done, but cannot submit to the humiliation, or to the thought of being reputed tame and poor-spirited; can such a man pretend to the character of Christ's disciple, who thus upon the prospect of any difficulty or uneasiness, abandons His cause, and so far forsakes Him. A Christian ought ever to be in a disposition of dying with Christ: it is part of this day's lesson. He is to follow Him even to death: what then, if he meets with the ordinary discouragements, which commonly work by raising fear or shame? If he cannot overcome these, how will he do it when they are accompanied with the terrors of racks and death? He that surrenders to a weak enemy, how can he hope to be victorious, when assaulted by a much greater force ?

Strive therefore daily to be constant in all your duties: accustom yourself to force your way upon meeting with opposition. Let no fear or shame prevail on you, to the omission of any duty have no regard to what the world will say of you. Look on difficulties, troubles, temptations, and disquiets, as part of your portion, and an exercise of this life, to which God has called you. Be not therefore afraid to suffer and then if God shall call you to greater trials, you may hope to say still with this apostle: Let us go, and die with our suffering Lord." The Catholic Year; by Fr. John Gother




Ember Saturday Advent : the day Christ was entombed.

by VP


Posted on Saturday December 21, 2024 at 12:00AM in Ember Days


Source: Our Lady Mother of Priests Fr Lawrence Lew, O.P.

Saturday in Ember Week.

"The Church directs the Ember-days to be spent in humiliation, fasting and prayer. Besides the two objects of obtaining a blessing on the fruits of the earth, and upon those who are promoted at this time to Holy Orders, she enjoins us to pray for a seasonable time, and that God would preserve us from all pestilential distempers. All creatures are in the hands of God. Beg of Him therefore mercifully to dispose all, so that they may contribute to our life and health, and not to our destruction. We have offended God in all His creatures, and if all of them were to be armed against us, we could not complain of any injustice, because our sins deserve the greatest of His rigours. But appeal to His goodness still; and beseech Him to forgive our iniquities, and to oblige us to be more faithful to Him by the wonders of his mercy, and not of His justice." The Catholic Year, Fr. John Gother

"All good Catholics must needs feel an interest in the future priests of the Church, for ordination not only confers an immense privilege on those who are ordained, but also affects the salvation of those souls, who are hereafter to be entrusted to their care. The recurrence of the Ember Days should, therefore, remind all to pray:
1. for vocations to the priesthood, that God would send fit laborers for reaping the harvest;
2. that those about to be ordained may be filled with the true spirit of their high calling;
3. for the success of the labors of the Bishops and clergy, both secular and regular, as also for their welfare.

We may sum up by stating that the three good works, styled eminent, are inculcated upon us at the Ember seasons. Prayer and fasting hold a prominent place: St. Leo, who said so much on Ember days, adds alms-giving: " Let us spend in good deeds," he says, "What we take from indulgence." No better time than the Ember Days could be chosen to lay aside, or offer, and alms towards the support of seminaries and other institutions of the training of candidates for the priesthood; or for an object which is equally important, the maintenance of the clergy in general.

To carry out the success these intentions of the Church at Ember-tide, no new confraternity need be established; all that is required is a full appreciation of the spirit of the Church as manifested in her Liturgy and observances, when these seasons come round. The test of true love for our Lord, as His own words tell, is obedience to His Will. We may apply to the Church, His representative, and her ordinances, this same test of true love, which He Himself has given: "If you love Me, keep my commandments." Source:The Ember Days. page 20 Publication of the Catholic Truth Society Vol. XXXII Dom Columba Edmonds OSB


A Prayer for Vocations to St. John Vianney:
O God our Father, You promised "I will appoint shepherds for My sheep who will shepherd them so that they need no longer fear and tremble: and none shall be missing." (Jer. 23:4-5). Hear the prayers of Your flock. Through the intercession of Your beloved priest, Saint John Vianney, we beg You to call to the sacramental priesthood generous men who will desire nothing more than to serve You in imitation of Your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, our High Priest. And after You call them, we pray that You sustain the doubtful, console the discouraged, and strengthen the weak as they start the long and demanding preparation for the priesthood.
Mary, Mother of priests, and example of faithful, humble, and joyful acceptance of Godʼs will, help all those who are called to the priesthood to open their ears and hearts to the gentle call of the Holy Spirit. Amen.



Litany for the Church (For private use)

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, Divine Founder of the Church, hear us.
Christ, Who didst warn of false prophets, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God, the Son, Redeemer of the World, have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.
St. Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church, pray for us.
St. Michael, Defender in Battle, pray for us.
St. Peter, the Rock upon which Christ built His , Church, pray for us.
St. Paul, Protector of the Faithful Remnant, pray for us.
St. Francis of Assist, Re-builder of the Church, pray for us.
St. Anthony, Hammer of Heretics, pray for us.
St. Pius V, Restorer of the beauty of the Sacred Liturgy, pray for us.
St. Pius X, Foe of Modernism, pray for us.

All ye Holy Angels and Archangels, pray that we may resist the snares of the Devil.
St. Catherine of Siena, pray that Christ's Vicar may oppose the spirit of the world.
St. John Fisher, pray that bishops may have the courage to combat heresy and irreverence.
St. Francis Xavier, pray that zeal for souls may be re-enkindled in the clergy.
St. Charles Borromeo, pray that seminaries may be protected from false teachings.
St. Vincent de Paul, pray that seminarians may return to a life of prayer and meditation.
St. Therese of the Child Jesus, pray that religious may rediscover their vocation of love and sacrifice.
St. Thomas More, pray that the laity may not succumb to the Great Apostasy.
St. Francis de Sales, pray that the Catholic press may again become a vehicle of Truth.
St. John Bosco, pray that our children may be protected from immoral and heretical instruction.
St. Pascal, pray that profound reverence for the Most Blessed Sacrament may be restored.
St. Dominic, pray that we may ever treasure the Holy Rosary.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray: Jesus, our God, in these dark hours when Thy Mystical Body is undergoing its own Crucifixion, and when it would almost seem to be abandoned by God the Father, have mercy, we beg of Thee, on Thy suffering Church. Send down upon us the Divine Consoler, to enlighten our minds and strengthen our wills.Thou, O Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity, Who canst neither deceive nor be deceived, have promised to be with Thy Church until the end of time. Give us a mighty Faith that we may not falter; help us to do Thy Holy Will always, especially during these hours of grief and uncertainty. May Thy Most Sacred Heart and the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of Thy Holy Mother be our sure refuge in time and in eternity. Amen


O Oriens. (Advent Meditations)

by VP


Posted on Saturday December 21, 2024 at 12:00AM in Advent Sermons


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O Oriens, splendor lucis aeternae, et sol justitiae:veni, et illumina sedentes in tenebris, et umbra mortis.

“ O Orient, Splendor of eternal light and Sun of justice ; come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.”

1. The night of pagan times was long and dark, and seemed hopeless. Deeper and deeper the nations were sinking in misery and vice. But at length the Orient, the brightness of the eternal light of heaven, rose, and scattered the darkness, changing the gloom into a brilliant day. So too for those who have been long shrouded in the dense gloom of sin or sorrow there waits the same divine Light, ready to scatter their darkness in a moment, if only they will draw nigh to Him. He waits for me, ready to brighten my path, to scatter my sins and sorrows, if I will avail myself of His love.

2. That rising Light is the Sun of justice, Who shall exercise His justice in delivering the captive, and in recompensing His friends a hundred, nay, a thousandfold, for every little service done to Him. For His justice is virtually identical with His mercy, and rejoices to employ itself in works of pity and of love.

3. Come then, O Orient, O Sun of justice ; shine on those who sit in darkness, on those who are enveloped in the thick mists of heathendom and heresy. Come and enlighten their ignorance, that they may not perish. Come and deliver them from the shadow of death, for they cannot deliver themselves. Pour upon them such a flood of light and grace as may guide their feet into the way of peace."Meditations # 25 for Advent . By Rev. Richard F. Clarke S.J. The Catholic Truth Society, London 1891


Saint Andrew Christmas Novena: Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires, [here mention your request] through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen. (15 times)

Prayer to the Holy Infant for priests:Jesus, Divine Infant, I bless and thank Thy most loving Heart for the institution of the priesthood. Priests are sent by Thee as Thou were sent by the Father. To them Thou entrusted the treasures of Thy doctrine, of Thy Law, of Thy Grace, and souls themselves. Grant me the grace to love them, to listen to them, and to let myself be guided by them in Thy ways. Jesus, send good laborers into Thy harvest. May priests be the salt that purifies and preserves; may they be the light of the world; may they be the city placed on the mountain. May they all be formed after Thy own Heart. And in heaven may they be surrounded by a joyous throng of those they shepherded on earth. Amen.

Glory Be (three times).
Infant Jesus, make me love Thee more and more.