Feast of St. Catharine, Virgin and Martyr.
NOVEMBER 25.
ST. CATHARINE, a noble lady of Alexandria, had from her childhood made such extraordinary proficiency in the knowledge of Christianity, and in other departments of learning, that at the age of eighteen she put to confusion the wisdom of the pagan philosophers. The occasion of her doing so arose from the persecution of the Emperor Maxentius. For, having heard that the young and beautiful Catharine had defended, in the most profound manner, the divine character of Christianity, he called together the most learned philosophers, and promised them a considerable reward if they would refute Catharine and bring her back to paganism. But the very contrary of this happened, for she demonstrated the divine origin of Christianity with such unanswerable wisdom that these philosophers received the faith, and gave their lives for it. The emperor, irritated thereby, sought to prevail upon her to abandon her faith by promising to marry her, and, when this means proved ineffectual, by imprisoning her eleven days, by blows, by hunger and thirst. But the consequence of this was his wife and one of his generals, Porphyry, who visited Catharine in prison, were like wise converted to Christianity, and prepared for the martyrdom which they endured. At this the tyrant fell into a great rage, and gave orders to have the body of St. Catharine cut in pieces by a wheel set around with sharp knives and iron spikes. But upon the holy martyr making the sign of the cross over this frightful instrument of torture it burst into pieces a miracle by which many of the beholders were converted to the faith. Finally, the youthful heroine obtained, by being beheaded, the double crown of virginity and martyrdom.
Prayer.
God, Who didst give the law to Moses on the summit of Mount Sinai, and didst wonderfully deposit in the same place the body of the blessed virgin and martyr Catharine by means of Thy holy angels, grant, we beseech Thee, that by her merits and intercession we may come to the mountain, which is Christ, "Who liveth, etc.
EPISTLE. Ecclus. 11. 1-8, 12.
I will give glory to Thee, O Lord, my King, and I will praise Thee, O God my Saviour. I will give glory to Thy name : for Thou hast been a helper and protector to me, and hast preserved my body from destruction, from the snare of an unjust tongue, and from the lips of them that forge lies, and in the sight of them that stood by Thou hast been my helper. And Thou hast delivered me, according to the multitude of the mercy of Thy name, from them that did roar, prepared to devour. Out of the hands of them that sought my life, and from the gates of afflictions, which compassed me about: from the oppression of the flame which surrounded me, and in the midst of the fire I was not burnt : from the depth of the belly of hell, and from an unclean tongue, and from lying words, from an unjust king, and from a slanderous tongue. My soul shall praise the Lord even to death, for Thou deliverest them that wait for Thee, and savest them out of the hands of the nations.
GOSPEL. Matt. xxv. 1-13.
At that time Jesus said to His disciples this parable : The kingdom of heaven shall be like to ten virgins, who taking their lamps went out to meet the bridegroom and the bride. And five of them were foolish, and five wise. But the five foolish having taken their lamps, did not take oil with them : but the wise took oil in their vessels with the lamps. And the bride groom tarrying, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made : Behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye forth to meet him. Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise : Give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out. The wise answered, saying: Lest perhaps there be not enough for us and for you, go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. Now whilst they went to buy the bridegroom came: and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage, and the door was shut. But at last came also the other virgins, saying: Lord, Lord, open to us. But He answering said : Amen I say to you, I know you not. Watch ye, therefore, because you know not the day nor the hour.
Explanation.
After having in the preceding chapter of this gospel spoken of the Last Judgment, and warned us to watch, because this judg ment would break upon us unexpectedly, Our Lord enforces what He then said by this parable of a wedding to which the bridegroom came when he was not looked for, and to which he took with him those who were ready, but excluded those who were not.
The marriage is the everlasting possession and enjoyment of God ; the bridegroom is Jesus Christ ; the bride is His Church upon earth ; the marriage-feast is the union of Christ with His bride in heaven, which represents the marriage-hall ; the ten virgins are all the faithful, inasmuch as all are invited to the marriage of the Lamb and of the Bride, and to the everlasting feast which accompanies this union ; the wise virgins are they who by their pureness from all sin, and by their good works, keep themselves always ready for the coming of the Lord; the foolish virgins are they who, contented with the name of Christians, think but little on God and eternity, and perform no good works. According to the interpretation of the holy fathers, by the lamps we are to understand faith; by the oil, charity ; good works, mercy ; by the vessels, the hearts and consciences of men. The asking for oil is to show that they who content themselves with a dead faith in order to escape the trouble of works of charity and mercy will on the day of judgment beg for a share in the merits of the just, but without being heard. For the virtues of the just will not make good the deficiencies of the wicked. How will you feel when you then discover what you lack?
Prayer.
O Jesus Christ, teacher of eternal life, we thank Thee for having taught us how to keep ourselves prepared for Thy coming by a prudent, watchful life. But since we are unable to do this of our own strength, grant us Thy grace, that the fire of Thy divine love may burn in our hearts, in order that we may constantly do what is good, and with Thee enter into everlasting joys. Ah, grant that at the Last Judgment we may not hear that terrible sentence, "I know you not" ; but that joyful summons, "Come, ye blessed of My Father, possess the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world." Grant us this, O Jesus, our God and Saviour, Who hast redeemed us by Thy precious blood, to Whom is due honor, praise, thanksgiving, and glory, forever and ever. Amen.
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Next: PART THIRD-Explanation of the Sacraments and of some of the Ceremonies of the Church
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN, NOVEMBER 21
Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin.
NOVEMBER 21.
THE Blessed Virgin was presented in the temple at Jerusalem by her pious parents, Joachim and Ann, there to be educated in the service and the law of the Lord in order that she might be guarded against the defilements of the world. From this we learn :
1 . Joachim and Ann offered to the Lord their only and most beloved child, and gave her up entirely to His service. Great as the sacrifice was, they yet made it. The preservation of the innocence of their daughter was to them above all else. Parents, God requires of you that you should not merely offer your children to Him in the temple, but that you should take care to keep them pure and holy, as living temples which have been consecrated in Baptism.
2. Mary gives and dedicates herself to God as soon as she is capable of serving Him, and that without any reservation, for all time, and irrevocably. When, then, shall we give ourselves in earnest to God? True, we have been given to Him in holy Baptism, we have been consecrated as His temples, we have renounced the devil and the world, we have vowed to live only for God, and this vow we have, perhaps, often renewed ; but have we kept it? What we gave with one hand have we not taken it away with the other? Have we not denied the temple of our hearts by shameful lusts, lived for the world and vanity more than for God? Ah, when shall we give ourselves up to God sincerely and forever? Perhaps when we are old! But will God accept our offering then? Will He be pleased that we begin to serve Him only when we can no longer serve the world ? That we first begin to live for Him when our life is soon to cease? No; God is a jealous Lord, and is not pleased with a heart divided between Him and creatures. He requires us to love Him with all our heart and all our soul, and to serve Him with all our powers. Let us, then, do this, and do it from our youth ; let us keep ourselves in body and soul undefiled for the Lord ; such love, and such love only, will He reward as perfect.
Prayer.
O God, Who wast pleased that the blessed Mary, ever virgin, the habitation of the Holy Ghost, should oh this day be presented in the temple, grant, we beseech Thee, that by her intercession we may deserve to be presented in the temple of Thy glory. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, etc.
EPISTLE. Ecclus. xxiv. 14-16.
From the beginning, and before the world, was I created, and unto the world to come I shall not cease to be, and in the holy dwelling-place I have ministered before Him. And so was I established in Sion, and in the holy city likewise I rested, and my power was in Jerusalem. And I took root in an honorable people, and in the portion of my God His inheritance, and my abode is in the full assembly of saints.
GOSPEL. Luke xi. 27, 28.
And it came to pass, as He spoke these things, a certain woman from the crowd lifting up her voice said to Him :
Blessed is the womb that bore Thee, and the paps that gave Thee suck. But He said : Yea rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it.
Explanation.
By His answer Jesus would have us understand that His Mother was not to be blessed merely because she bore Him, the Son of God, but rather because she at all times endeavored to keep the word of God in her heart and to observe it in her life. If you would be blessed, learn to be not only a hearer, but a doer, of the word of God.
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Next: Feast of St. Catharine, Virgin and Martyr, November 25
NOVEMBER 21.
THE Blessed Virgin was presented in the temple at Jerusalem by her pious parents, Joachim and Ann, there to be educated in the service and the law of the Lord in order that she might be guarded against the defilements of the world. From this we learn :
1 . Joachim and Ann offered to the Lord their only and most beloved child, and gave her up entirely to His service. Great as the sacrifice was, they yet made it. The preservation of the innocence of their daughter was to them above all else. Parents, God requires of you that you should not merely offer your children to Him in the temple, but that you should take care to keep them pure and holy, as living temples which have been consecrated in Baptism.
2. Mary gives and dedicates herself to God as soon as she is capable of serving Him, and that without any reservation, for all time, and irrevocably. When, then, shall we give ourselves in earnest to God? True, we have been given to Him in holy Baptism, we have been consecrated as His temples, we have renounced the devil and the world, we have vowed to live only for God, and this vow we have, perhaps, often renewed ; but have we kept it? What we gave with one hand have we not taken it away with the other? Have we not denied the temple of our hearts by shameful lusts, lived for the world and vanity more than for God? Ah, when shall we give ourselves up to God sincerely and forever? Perhaps when we are old! But will God accept our offering then? Will He be pleased that we begin to serve Him only when we can no longer serve the world ? That we first begin to live for Him when our life is soon to cease? No; God is a jealous Lord, and is not pleased with a heart divided between Him and creatures. He requires us to love Him with all our heart and all our soul, and to serve Him with all our powers. Let us, then, do this, and do it from our youth ; let us keep ourselves in body and soul undefiled for the Lord ; such love, and such love only, will He reward as perfect.
Prayer.
O God, Who wast pleased that the blessed Mary, ever virgin, the habitation of the Holy Ghost, should oh this day be presented in the temple, grant, we beseech Thee, that by her intercession we may deserve to be presented in the temple of Thy glory. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, etc.
EPISTLE. Ecclus. xxiv. 14-16.
From the beginning, and before the world, was I created, and unto the world to come I shall not cease to be, and in the holy dwelling-place I have ministered before Him. And so was I established in Sion, and in the holy city likewise I rested, and my power was in Jerusalem. And I took root in an honorable people, and in the portion of my God His inheritance, and my abode is in the full assembly of saints.
GOSPEL. Luke xi. 27, 28.
And it came to pass, as He spoke these things, a certain woman from the crowd lifting up her voice said to Him :
Blessed is the womb that bore Thee, and the paps that gave Thee suck. But He said : Yea rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it.
Explanation.
By His answer Jesus would have us understand that His Mother was not to be blessed merely because she bore Him, the Son of God, but rather because she at all times endeavored to keep the word of God in her heart and to observe it in her life. If you would be blessed, learn to be not only a hearer, but a doer, of the word of God.
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Next: Feast of St. Catharine, Virgin and Martyr, November 25
FEAST OF THE DEDICATION OF A CHURCH
Feast of the Dedication of a Church
THE feast of the dedication of a church is the day upon which we annually commemorate its solemn consecration to God.
Why do we celebrate the anniversary of dedication?
To give thanks to God for having chosen a dwelling-place amongst us, for having shown us therein so many favors, and for having preserved us in the true faith. By such an anniversary we should also be incited to sanctify ourselves as temples of God.
Is it anything new for churches to be dedicated and the anniversary of their dedication to be celebrated?
No; for we read in Holy Scripture (in. Kings viii.) that Solomon built a magnificent temple for the Lord, the dedication of which he solemnized during two weeks; that this feast was annually observed by the Jews, and attended by Christ Himself (John x. 22). The early Christians, in like manner, dedicated their churches, and solemnly commemorated their dedication every year.
The ancient Martyrology ascribed to St. Jerome makes mention of the consecration of the first church at Koine, built by St. Peter. In the earliest days of Christianity, on account of persecutions, the churches were not so solemnly dedicated as they are in our day ; but as soon as those persecutions came to an end, under the Emperor Constantine, who embraced Christianity about the year A.D. 312, the bishops caused the dedications of churches to be solemnized with the most imposing ceremonies. On the feast of the dedication, in the Introit of the Mass, in order to inspire veneration for the temple dedicated to God, the Church uses the words of the patriarch Jacob: "Terrible is this place; it is the house of God, and the gate of heaven, and shall be called the court of God" (Gen . xxviii. 17). "How lovely are Thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! My soul longeth and fainteth for the courts of the Lord" (Ps. Ixxxiii. 2). Glory be to the Father, etc.
Prayer.
O God, Who doth renew to us every year the day of the consecration of this Thy holy temple, and dost ever bring us again in safety to the holy mysteries, graciously hear the prayers of Thy people, and grant that whoever enters this temple to implore blessings may rejoice in having obtained all his requests. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, etc.
EPISTLE. Apoc. xxi. 2-5.
In those days : I saw the holy city the new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice from the throne, saying: Behold the tabernacle of God with men, and He will dwell with them. And they shall be His people : and God Himself with them shall be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes: and death shall be no more, nor mourning, nor crying, nor sorrow shall be any more, for the former things are passed away. And He that sat on the throne said : Behold, I make all things new.
GOSPEL. Luke xix. 1-10.
At that time : Jesus entering in, walked through Jericho. And behold there was a man named Zacheus : who was the chief of the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus Who He was, and he could not for the crowd, because he was low of stature. And running before, he climbed up into a sycamore tree that he might see Him : for He was to pass that way. And when Jesus was come to the place, looking up, He saw him, and said to him : Zacheus, make haste and come down : for this day I must abide in thy house. And he made haste and came down, and received Him with joy. And when all saw it, they murmured, saying that He was gone to be a guest with a man that was a sinner. But Zacheus standing said to the Lord, Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor : and if I have wronged any man of anything, I restore him fourfold. Jesus said to him : This day is salvation come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
This gospel is read on the feast of the dedication of a church, because through that dedication Christ comes among the congregation, as He once did among the household of Zacheus, and dispenses grace and salvation, as He once did to that penitent publican.
PRACTICAL LESSONS ON THE SPIRITUAL TEMPLE, WHICH IS MAN HIMSELF.
"You are the temple of the living God; as God saith, I will dwell in them". ii. Cor. vi. 16.
St. Bernard in his first sermon on the dedication of a church says that the feast of dedication is our feast also. For we too are temples living temples of God and as such were, in holy Baptism, no less solemnly dedicated than are these temples of wood and stone. Every Christian is a pure and holy temple ; for as a church is first freed from the malice of the devil by manifold prayers, by exorcisms, by sprinklings with holy water, by repeated signs of the cross, by incense, so we, in holy Baptism, by many prayers, by exorcisms, and renunciations of Satan, by frequent signs of the cross, by the breathings of the priest, and finally by the sanctified water, thrice poured, with invocation of the all-holy Trinity, are purified from all diabolical malice and sin, and dedicated as temples of God. But if we are such does there not, therefore, rest upon us a sacred obligation, as St. Augustine says, to maintain that purity which we have received in holy Baptism, and to suffer nothing within the temple of our hearts which can offend the eyes of so pure a God? For woe to those who defile and desecrate the temple of God ! God Him self, says St. Paul, shall destroy them (I. Cor. iii. 17). But the temple of the heart is defiled by every mortal sin, particularly by impurity. Flee, therefore, from sin ! But if you have indeed driven God from your heart by mortal sin, and given place to the devil, banish him again by true repentance, and dedicate anew the temple of your heart with the blood of the Lamb, through the holy sacraments, as a church that has been desecrated is reconsecrated and reconciled.
Aspiration of St. Augustine.
O God, Who, for no merits of my own/ but purely of Thy grace, hast, in holy Baptism, made me Thy temple, grant that I may ever keep it pure and holy for Thee. Purify this temple from all vices ; adorn it with virtues ; and permit nothing to be ever found in this Thy dwelling which may offend the eyes of Thy majesty. And grant that at last, as a living stone, hewn and prepared in the tribulations of this world, I may be built into the heavenly Jerusalem. Amen.
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Next: Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin, November 21
THE feast of the dedication of a church is the day upon which we annually commemorate its solemn consecration to God.
Why do we celebrate the anniversary of dedication?
To give thanks to God for having chosen a dwelling-place amongst us, for having shown us therein so many favors, and for having preserved us in the true faith. By such an anniversary we should also be incited to sanctify ourselves as temples of God.
Is it anything new for churches to be dedicated and the anniversary of their dedication to be celebrated?
No; for we read in Holy Scripture (in. Kings viii.) that Solomon built a magnificent temple for the Lord, the dedication of which he solemnized during two weeks; that this feast was annually observed by the Jews, and attended by Christ Himself (John x. 22). The early Christians, in like manner, dedicated their churches, and solemnly commemorated their dedication every year.
The ancient Martyrology ascribed to St. Jerome makes mention of the consecration of the first church at Koine, built by St. Peter. In the earliest days of Christianity, on account of persecutions, the churches were not so solemnly dedicated as they are in our day ; but as soon as those persecutions came to an end, under the Emperor Constantine, who embraced Christianity about the year A.D. 312, the bishops caused the dedications of churches to be solemnized with the most imposing ceremonies. On the feast of the dedication, in the Introit of the Mass, in order to inspire veneration for the temple dedicated to God, the Church uses the words of the patriarch Jacob: "Terrible is this place; it is the house of God, and the gate of heaven, and shall be called the court of God" (Gen . xxviii. 17). "How lovely are Thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! My soul longeth and fainteth for the courts of the Lord" (Ps. Ixxxiii. 2). Glory be to the Father, etc.
Prayer.
O God, Who doth renew to us every year the day of the consecration of this Thy holy temple, and dost ever bring us again in safety to the holy mysteries, graciously hear the prayers of Thy people, and grant that whoever enters this temple to implore blessings may rejoice in having obtained all his requests. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, etc.
EPISTLE. Apoc. xxi. 2-5.
In those days : I saw the holy city the new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice from the throne, saying: Behold the tabernacle of God with men, and He will dwell with them. And they shall be His people : and God Himself with them shall be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes: and death shall be no more, nor mourning, nor crying, nor sorrow shall be any more, for the former things are passed away. And He that sat on the throne said : Behold, I make all things new.
GOSPEL. Luke xix. 1-10.
At that time : Jesus entering in, walked through Jericho. And behold there was a man named Zacheus : who was the chief of the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus Who He was, and he could not for the crowd, because he was low of stature. And running before, he climbed up into a sycamore tree that he might see Him : for He was to pass that way. And when Jesus was come to the place, looking up, He saw him, and said to him : Zacheus, make haste and come down : for this day I must abide in thy house. And he made haste and came down, and received Him with joy. And when all saw it, they murmured, saying that He was gone to be a guest with a man that was a sinner. But Zacheus standing said to the Lord, Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor : and if I have wronged any man of anything, I restore him fourfold. Jesus said to him : This day is salvation come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
This gospel is read on the feast of the dedication of a church, because through that dedication Christ comes among the congregation, as He once did among the household of Zacheus, and dispenses grace and salvation, as He once did to that penitent publican.
PRACTICAL LESSONS ON THE SPIRITUAL TEMPLE, WHICH IS MAN HIMSELF.
"You are the temple of the living God; as God saith, I will dwell in them". ii. Cor. vi. 16.
St. Bernard in his first sermon on the dedication of a church says that the feast of dedication is our feast also. For we too are temples living temples of God and as such were, in holy Baptism, no less solemnly dedicated than are these temples of wood and stone. Every Christian is a pure and holy temple ; for as a church is first freed from the malice of the devil by manifold prayers, by exorcisms, by sprinklings with holy water, by repeated signs of the cross, by incense, so we, in holy Baptism, by many prayers, by exorcisms, and renunciations of Satan, by frequent signs of the cross, by the breathings of the priest, and finally by the sanctified water, thrice poured, with invocation of the all-holy Trinity, are purified from all diabolical malice and sin, and dedicated as temples of God. But if we are such does there not, therefore, rest upon us a sacred obligation, as St. Augustine says, to maintain that purity which we have received in holy Baptism, and to suffer nothing within the temple of our hearts which can offend the eyes of so pure a God? For woe to those who defile and desecrate the temple of God ! God Him self, says St. Paul, shall destroy them (I. Cor. iii. 17). But the temple of the heart is defiled by every mortal sin, particularly by impurity. Flee, therefore, from sin ! But if you have indeed driven God from your heart by mortal sin, and given place to the devil, banish him again by true repentance, and dedicate anew the temple of your heart with the blood of the Lamb, through the holy sacraments, as a church that has been desecrated is reconsecrated and reconciled.
Aspiration of St. Augustine.
O God, Who, for no merits of my own/ but purely of Thy grace, hast, in holy Baptism, made me Thy temple, grant that I may ever keep it pure and holy for Thee. Purify this temple from all vices ; adorn it with virtues ; and permit nothing to be ever found in this Thy dwelling which may offend the eyes of Thy majesty. And grant that at last, as a living stone, hewn and prepared in the tribulations of this world, I may be built into the heavenly Jerusalem. Amen.
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Next: Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin, November 21
Saturday, November 19, 2011
TWENTY-FOURTH AND LAST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Twenty-fourth and Last Sunday after Pentecost
[N.B. If there should be more than twenty-four Sundays after Pentecost, the Masses after the twenty-third will be of those Sundays after Epiphany which were passed over, and the following is the order to be observed :
If there be twenty-five Sundays, on the twenty-fourth is said the Mass and Gospel of the Sixth Sunday after Epiphany. If there be twenty-six Sundays, on the twenty-fourth is said the Mass and Gospel of the Fifth, and on the twenty-fifth, that of the Sixth after Epiphany.
If there be twenty-seven Sundays, on the twenty-fourth is said the Mass of the Fourth ; on the twenty-fifth, that of the Fifth ; on the twenty-sixth, that of the Sixth after Epiphany. If there be twenty -eight Sundays, on the twenty-fourth is said the Mass of the Third; on the twenty-fifth, that of the Fourth; on the twenty -sixth, that of the Fifth; on the twenty-seventh, that of the Sixth Sunday after Epiphany.
The Mass and gospel of the twenty-fourth are always to be said on the last Sunday after Pentecost.]
The Introit of the Mass is the same as on the twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost.
Prayer.
Stir up the wills of Thy faithful, O Lord, we beseech Thee, that, more earnestly seeking after the fruit of good works, they may receive more abundant helps from Thy mercy. Through Christ our Lord, etc.
EPISTLE. Col. i. 9-14.
Brethren : We cease not to pray for you, and to beg that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom, and spiritual understanding : that you may walk worthy of God, in all things pleasing : being fruitful in every good work, and in creasing in the knowledge of God : strengthened with all might, according to the power of His glory, in all patience and longsuffering with joy, giving thanks to God the Father, Who hath made us worthy to be partakers of the lot of the saints in light : Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of the Son of His love : in Whom we have redemption through His blood, the remission of sins.
This epistle teaches us that we should thank God continually for the infinite grace of calling us to be Christians and members of the Catholic Church. In like manner should we pray, without ceasing, for still greater enlightenment, and greater strength in doing good, until, in our knowledge and in our practice, we attain to likeness with God.
GOSPEL. Matt. xxiv. 15-35.
At that time Jesus said to His disciples : When you shall see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place : he that readeth, let him understand. Then they that are in Judea, let them flee to the mountains. And he that is on the house-top, let him not come down to take anything out of his house: and he that is in the field let him not go back to take his coat. And woe to them that are with child, and that give suck in those days. But pray that your flight be not in the winter, or on the Sabbath. For there shall be then great tribulation, such as hath not been from the beginning of the world until now, neither shall be. And unless those days had been shortened, no flesh should be saved; but for the sake of the elect those days shall be shortened. Then if any man shall say to you : Lo here is Christ, or there, do not believe him. For there shall arise false Christs and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders, insomuch as to deceive (if possible) even the elect. Behold I have told it to you beforehand. If therefore they shall say to you : Behold, He is in the desert, go ye not out ; behold, He is in the closets, believe it not. For as lightning cometh out of the east, and appeareth even into the west : so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Wheresoever the body shall be, there shall the eagles also be gathered together. And immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be moved. And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven : and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn : and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with much power and majesty. And He shall send His angels with a trumpet, and a great voice : and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest parts of the heavens to the utmost bounds of them. And from the fig-tree learn a parable : when the branch thereof is now tender, and the leaves come forth, you know that summer is nigh. So you also, when you shall see all these things, know ye that it is nigh, even at the doors. Amen, I say to you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away.
Explanation.
" The abomination of desolation," of which Christ makes mention, is the desecration of the temple, at the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans, when it was profaned in the most frightful manner, by robbery, murder, conflagration, and the setting up of idols about forty years after the death of Christ. While the Jewish population were perishing, the Christians, following the warning of Christ, fled over the mountains to the city of Pella. Thereby Jesus would indicate how great the danger would be should they be obliged to fly in winter, or on the Sabbath-day, on which they were forbidden to make a journey of more than five hundred paces.
"False Christs and false prophets," like those here spoken of, according to the testimony of Josephus, were Eleazar, John, and Simon, who appeared at the time of the Jewish war, and, under the pretence of helping the Jews, plunged them into still greater misfortunes. Before the end of the world a false Messias will appear, who is the Antichrist. According to the opinion of the holy fathers, he will be born from among the Jewish people, and is called Antichrist because he will claim to be the redeemer and sanctifier of men, and will denounce Christ as an impostor. On account of his malice and cruelty St. Paul calls him the man of sin and the son of perdition (II. Thess. ii. 3), who, out of pride, will sit in the temple of God, showing himself as if he were God, and will command all who will not worship him to be put to death. And he will, by his splendor, his promises, his false miracles, succeed so far that not only many Jews (to whom the poor and humble Jesus was too insignificant) will acknowledge him to be the Messias, but even many Christians will deny Christ and adhere to him. Even the elect would be in danger of being deceived by him were it not that for their sake God will shorten those days, as He shortened the days of tribulation at the time of the destruc tion of Jerusalem.
Jesus now goes on to define the time of the destruction of Jerusalem, and says that many of His hearers shall live to see it; which was actually the case. But when the end of the world is to come no one, He says, knoweth; no, not the angels of heaven, but the Father alone (Matt. xxiv. 36). Let us, therefore, keep ourselves always ready, by a pious life, for the coming of the divine Judge, and with that purpose let us often think on the significant words of Our Lord :
" Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away."
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Next: Feast of the Dedication of a Church
[N.B. If there should be more than twenty-four Sundays after Pentecost, the Masses after the twenty-third will be of those Sundays after Epiphany which were passed over, and the following is the order to be observed :
If there be twenty-five Sundays, on the twenty-fourth is said the Mass and Gospel of the Sixth Sunday after Epiphany. If there be twenty-six Sundays, on the twenty-fourth is said the Mass and Gospel of the Fifth, and on the twenty-fifth, that of the Sixth after Epiphany.
If there be twenty-seven Sundays, on the twenty-fourth is said the Mass of the Fourth ; on the twenty-fifth, that of the Fifth ; on the twenty-sixth, that of the Sixth after Epiphany. If there be twenty -eight Sundays, on the twenty-fourth is said the Mass of the Third; on the twenty-fifth, that of the Fourth; on the twenty -sixth, that of the Fifth; on the twenty-seventh, that of the Sixth Sunday after Epiphany.
The Mass and gospel of the twenty-fourth are always to be said on the last Sunday after Pentecost.]
The Introit of the Mass is the same as on the twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost.
Prayer.
Stir up the wills of Thy faithful, O Lord, we beseech Thee, that, more earnestly seeking after the fruit of good works, they may receive more abundant helps from Thy mercy. Through Christ our Lord, etc.
EPISTLE. Col. i. 9-14.
Brethren : We cease not to pray for you, and to beg that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom, and spiritual understanding : that you may walk worthy of God, in all things pleasing : being fruitful in every good work, and in creasing in the knowledge of God : strengthened with all might, according to the power of His glory, in all patience and longsuffering with joy, giving thanks to God the Father, Who hath made us worthy to be partakers of the lot of the saints in light : Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of the Son of His love : in Whom we have redemption through His blood, the remission of sins.
This epistle teaches us that we should thank God continually for the infinite grace of calling us to be Christians and members of the Catholic Church. In like manner should we pray, without ceasing, for still greater enlightenment, and greater strength in doing good, until, in our knowledge and in our practice, we attain to likeness with God.
GOSPEL. Matt. xxiv. 15-35.
At that time Jesus said to His disciples : When you shall see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place : he that readeth, let him understand. Then they that are in Judea, let them flee to the mountains. And he that is on the house-top, let him not come down to take anything out of his house: and he that is in the field let him not go back to take his coat. And woe to them that are with child, and that give suck in those days. But pray that your flight be not in the winter, or on the Sabbath. For there shall be then great tribulation, such as hath not been from the beginning of the world until now, neither shall be. And unless those days had been shortened, no flesh should be saved; but for the sake of the elect those days shall be shortened. Then if any man shall say to you : Lo here is Christ, or there, do not believe him. For there shall arise false Christs and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders, insomuch as to deceive (if possible) even the elect. Behold I have told it to you beforehand. If therefore they shall say to you : Behold, He is in the desert, go ye not out ; behold, He is in the closets, believe it not. For as lightning cometh out of the east, and appeareth even into the west : so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Wheresoever the body shall be, there shall the eagles also be gathered together. And immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be moved. And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven : and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn : and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with much power and majesty. And He shall send His angels with a trumpet, and a great voice : and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest parts of the heavens to the utmost bounds of them. And from the fig-tree learn a parable : when the branch thereof is now tender, and the leaves come forth, you know that summer is nigh. So you also, when you shall see all these things, know ye that it is nigh, even at the doors. Amen, I say to you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away.
Explanation.
" The abomination of desolation," of which Christ makes mention, is the desecration of the temple, at the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans, when it was profaned in the most frightful manner, by robbery, murder, conflagration, and the setting up of idols about forty years after the death of Christ. While the Jewish population were perishing, the Christians, following the warning of Christ, fled over the mountains to the city of Pella. Thereby Jesus would indicate how great the danger would be should they be obliged to fly in winter, or on the Sabbath-day, on which they were forbidden to make a journey of more than five hundred paces.
"False Christs and false prophets," like those here spoken of, according to the testimony of Josephus, were Eleazar, John, and Simon, who appeared at the time of the Jewish war, and, under the pretence of helping the Jews, plunged them into still greater misfortunes. Before the end of the world a false Messias will appear, who is the Antichrist. According to the opinion of the holy fathers, he will be born from among the Jewish people, and is called Antichrist because he will claim to be the redeemer and sanctifier of men, and will denounce Christ as an impostor. On account of his malice and cruelty St. Paul calls him the man of sin and the son of perdition (II. Thess. ii. 3), who, out of pride, will sit in the temple of God, showing himself as if he were God, and will command all who will not worship him to be put to death. And he will, by his splendor, his promises, his false miracles, succeed so far that not only many Jews (to whom the poor and humble Jesus was too insignificant) will acknowledge him to be the Messias, but even many Christians will deny Christ and adhere to him. Even the elect would be in danger of being deceived by him were it not that for their sake God will shorten those days, as He shortened the days of tribulation at the time of the destruc tion of Jerusalem.
Jesus now goes on to define the time of the destruction of Jerusalem, and says that many of His hearers shall live to see it; which was actually the case. But when the end of the world is to come no one, He says, knoweth; no, not the angels of heaven, but the Father alone (Matt. xxiv. 36). Let us, therefore, keep ourselves always ready, by a pious life, for the coming of the divine Judge, and with that purpose let us often think on the significant words of Our Lord :
" Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away."
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Next: Feast of the Dedication of a Church
TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost
THE Introit of the Mass consoles us, and encourages us to confidence in God, Who is so kind to us, and will not suffer us to be always in tribulation. " The Lord saith, I think thoughts of peace, and not of affliction. You shall call upon Me, and I will hear you, and I will bring back your captivity from all places. Lord, Thou hast blest Thy land, Thou hast turned away the captivity of Jacob." Glory be to the Father, etc.
Prayer.
Absolve, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the sins of Thy people, that we may be delivered by Thy goodness from the bonds of sin which, by our frailty, we have committed. Through Christ our Lord, etc.
EPISTLE. Phil. iii. 17-21 ; iv. 1-3.
Be followers of me, brethren, and observe them who walk so as you have our model. For many walk, of whom I have told you often (and now tell you weeping) that they are enemies of the cross of Christ ; whose end is destruction : whose God is their belly : and whose glory is in their shame : who mind earthly things. But our conversation is in heaven : from whence also we look for the Saviour, our Lord Jesus Christ, Who will reform the body of our lowness, made like to the body of His glory, according to the operation whereby also He is able to sub due all things unto Himself. Therefore, my dearly beloved brethren, and most desired, my joy and my crown: so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. I beg of Evodia, and I beseech Syntyche to be of one mind in the Lord. And I en treat thee also, my sincere companion, help those women that have labored with me in the Gospel, with Clement and the rest of my fellow- laborers, whose names are in the Book of Life.
Explanation.
In these words the Apostle gives warning against the false teachers of his day, who, although outwardly receiving and preaching Christianity, in heart hated the strict requirements of Christian morals, and lived according to their sensual lusts. He therefore cautions the faithful not to take them for patterns, for they are only hastening to eternal perdition, but rather to be followers of him, and of those who imitate his life. These warnings and admonitions apply also to us. For are there not among us enemies of the cross of Christ, who are called Christians, but who will have nothing to do with self-denial, mortification, chastity, and such like virtues? who indeed despise them, and count those who practise them fools? Let us not be led astray by them. For what will be the end of them ? Everlasting destruction. For he who does not crucify his flesh does not belong to Christ (Gal. v. 24) ; whoever does not bear about his body the dying of Christ, in his body the life of Christ, will never be made manifest (ii. Cor. iv. 10). Whoever does not already walk in heaven, that is, direct his thoughts and desires to heavenly goods, will not find admission there after death.
Ejaculation.
O my God, would that I might say, with St. Paul, the world is crucified to me, and I to the world (Gal. vi. 14).
GOSPEL. Matt. ix. 18-26.
At that time, as Jesus was speaking to the multitudes, be hold a certain ruler came up, and adored Him, saying: Lord, my daughter is even now dead ; but come, lay Thy hand upon her, and she shall live. And Jesus rising up, followed him with His disciples. And behold a woman who was troubled with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind Him, and touched the hem of His garment. For she said within herself : If I shall touch only His garment I shall be healed. But Jesus turning and seeing her, said : Be of good heart, daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour. And when Jesus was come into the house of the ruler, and saw the minstrels and the multitude making a rout, he said: Give place, for the girl is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed Him to scorn. And when the multitude was put forth, He went in, and took her by the hand. And the maid arose. And the fame hereof went abroad into all that country.
Explanation.
The ruler and the woman here mentioned teach us that in diseases of body or of mind we should have recourse to Jesus with faith and confidence ; and even when the malady continues, and seems to be incurable, we should not suffer our courage to sink.
ON MOCKERY AND RIDICULE.
When Jesus entered the house of Jairus, and said, "The girl is not dead, but sleepeth," the multitude laughed Him to scorn, because they understood neither the meaning of His words nor what He was about to do. Similar treatment sensual-minded men of the world often give to those servants of God who, by word and example, preach the contempt of honors, riches, pleasures, and the love of poverty, humility, and mortification. Permit not yourself to be led astray by those who ridicule your zeal for virtue ; pay no heed to them, according to the example of Jesus, and trust in Him Who was Himself derided for your sake. Say to yourself : "I know, O dearest Jesus, that the servant is not greater than his master. When Thou wast so often mocked, why should it appear strange to me to be jeered at and called senseless for endeavoring to practise devotion and virtue? I would not fare differently from Thee, my Lord and my God."
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Next: Twenty-fourth and Last Sunday after Pentecost
THE Introit of the Mass consoles us, and encourages us to confidence in God, Who is so kind to us, and will not suffer us to be always in tribulation. " The Lord saith, I think thoughts of peace, and not of affliction. You shall call upon Me, and I will hear you, and I will bring back your captivity from all places. Lord, Thou hast blest Thy land, Thou hast turned away the captivity of Jacob." Glory be to the Father, etc.
Prayer.
Absolve, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the sins of Thy people, that we may be delivered by Thy goodness from the bonds of sin which, by our frailty, we have committed. Through Christ our Lord, etc.
EPISTLE. Phil. iii. 17-21 ; iv. 1-3.
Be followers of me, brethren, and observe them who walk so as you have our model. For many walk, of whom I have told you often (and now tell you weeping) that they are enemies of the cross of Christ ; whose end is destruction : whose God is their belly : and whose glory is in their shame : who mind earthly things. But our conversation is in heaven : from whence also we look for the Saviour, our Lord Jesus Christ, Who will reform the body of our lowness, made like to the body of His glory, according to the operation whereby also He is able to sub due all things unto Himself. Therefore, my dearly beloved brethren, and most desired, my joy and my crown: so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. I beg of Evodia, and I beseech Syntyche to be of one mind in the Lord. And I en treat thee also, my sincere companion, help those women that have labored with me in the Gospel, with Clement and the rest of my fellow- laborers, whose names are in the Book of Life.
Explanation.
In these words the Apostle gives warning against the false teachers of his day, who, although outwardly receiving and preaching Christianity, in heart hated the strict requirements of Christian morals, and lived according to their sensual lusts. He therefore cautions the faithful not to take them for patterns, for they are only hastening to eternal perdition, but rather to be followers of him, and of those who imitate his life. These warnings and admonitions apply also to us. For are there not among us enemies of the cross of Christ, who are called Christians, but who will have nothing to do with self-denial, mortification, chastity, and such like virtues? who indeed despise them, and count those who practise them fools? Let us not be led astray by them. For what will be the end of them ? Everlasting destruction. For he who does not crucify his flesh does not belong to Christ (Gal. v. 24) ; whoever does not bear about his body the dying of Christ, in his body the life of Christ, will never be made manifest (ii. Cor. iv. 10). Whoever does not already walk in heaven, that is, direct his thoughts and desires to heavenly goods, will not find admission there after death.
Ejaculation.
O my God, would that I might say, with St. Paul, the world is crucified to me, and I to the world (Gal. vi. 14).
GOSPEL. Matt. ix. 18-26.
At that time, as Jesus was speaking to the multitudes, be hold a certain ruler came up, and adored Him, saying: Lord, my daughter is even now dead ; but come, lay Thy hand upon her, and she shall live. And Jesus rising up, followed him with His disciples. And behold a woman who was troubled with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind Him, and touched the hem of His garment. For she said within herself : If I shall touch only His garment I shall be healed. But Jesus turning and seeing her, said : Be of good heart, daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour. And when Jesus was come into the house of the ruler, and saw the minstrels and the multitude making a rout, he said: Give place, for the girl is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed Him to scorn. And when the multitude was put forth, He went in, and took her by the hand. And the maid arose. And the fame hereof went abroad into all that country.
Explanation.
The ruler and the woman here mentioned teach us that in diseases of body or of mind we should have recourse to Jesus with faith and confidence ; and even when the malady continues, and seems to be incurable, we should not suffer our courage to sink.
ON MOCKERY AND RIDICULE.
When Jesus entered the house of Jairus, and said, "The girl is not dead, but sleepeth," the multitude laughed Him to scorn, because they understood neither the meaning of His words nor what He was about to do. Similar treatment sensual-minded men of the world often give to those servants of God who, by word and example, preach the contempt of honors, riches, pleasures, and the love of poverty, humility, and mortification. Permit not yourself to be led astray by those who ridicule your zeal for virtue ; pay no heed to them, according to the example of Jesus, and trust in Him Who was Himself derided for your sake. Say to yourself : "I know, O dearest Jesus, that the servant is not greater than his master. When Thou wast so often mocked, why should it appear strange to me to be jeered at and called senseless for endeavoring to practise devotion and virtue? I would not fare differently from Thee, my Lord and my God."
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Next: Twenty-fourth and Last Sunday after Pentecost
Saturday, November 12, 2011
TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost
IN the Introit of the Mass, pray with the priest for the forgiveness of your sins: " If Thou, O Lord, wilt mark iniquities, Lord, who shall stand? for with Thee there is merciful forgiveness, O God of Israel. Out of the depths I have cried to Thee, O Lord: Lord, hear my voice" (Ps. cxxix.). Glory be to the Father, etc.
Prayer.
O God, our refuge and strength, Who art the author of mercy, attend to the pious prayers of Thy Church, and grant that what we ask in faith we may effectually obtain. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, etc.
EPISTLE. Phil. i. 6-11.
Brethren: We are confident in the Lord Jesus, that He, Who hath begun a good work in you, will perfect it unto the day of Christ Jesus. As it is meet for me to think this for you all : for that I have you in my heart ; and that in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the Gospel, you are all partakers of my joy. For God is my witness, how I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. And this I pray, that your charity may more and more abound in knowledge, and in all understanding : that you may approve the better things, that you may be sincere and without offence unto the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of justice through Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
This epistle was written by St. Paul from Rome, where he was in prison, to the converts whom he had made in the city of Philippi, Macedonia. They had not only received the Gospel, but had also, for the sake of it, suffered many trials ; besides, they had assisted the apostles with pious gifts. St. Paul, there fore, rejoiced, and thanked the Lord. The day of Christ, spoken of by the Apostle, is the day of judgment, which comes to every man at the very hour of his death.
GOSPEL. Matt. xxii. 15-21.
At that time, the Pharisees going, consulted among them selves how to ensnare Jesus in His speech. And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying: Master, we know that Thou art a true speaker, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest Thou for any man : for Thou dost not regard the person of men. Tell us, therefore, what dost Thou think, is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not ? But Jesus, knowing their wickedness, said : Why do you tempt Me, ye hypocrites ? Show Me the coin of the tribute. And they offered Him a penny. And Jesus saith to them : Whose image and inscription is this ? They say to Him : Caesar’s. Then He saith to them : Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.
Who are hypocrites ?
Those who, in order to deceive their neighbors, show them selves outwardly pious, while within they are full of evil dispositions and malice ; who have honey on the tongue, but gall in the heart ; who, like scorpions, sting when one least expects it. Such men are cursed by God (Mai. i. 14).
" The Lord hateth a mouth with a double tongue"(Prov. viii. 13). "Assumed sanctity," says St. Jerome, "is a double maliciousness."
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Next: Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost
IN the Introit of the Mass, pray with the priest for the forgiveness of your sins: " If Thou, O Lord, wilt mark iniquities, Lord, who shall stand? for with Thee there is merciful forgiveness, O God of Israel. Out of the depths I have cried to Thee, O Lord: Lord, hear my voice" (Ps. cxxix.). Glory be to the Father, etc.
Prayer.
O God, our refuge and strength, Who art the author of mercy, attend to the pious prayers of Thy Church, and grant that what we ask in faith we may effectually obtain. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, etc.
EPISTLE. Phil. i. 6-11.
Brethren: We are confident in the Lord Jesus, that He, Who hath begun a good work in you, will perfect it unto the day of Christ Jesus. As it is meet for me to think this for you all : for that I have you in my heart ; and that in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the Gospel, you are all partakers of my joy. For God is my witness, how I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. And this I pray, that your charity may more and more abound in knowledge, and in all understanding : that you may approve the better things, that you may be sincere and without offence unto the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of justice through Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
This epistle was written by St. Paul from Rome, where he was in prison, to the converts whom he had made in the city of Philippi, Macedonia. They had not only received the Gospel, but had also, for the sake of it, suffered many trials ; besides, they had assisted the apostles with pious gifts. St. Paul, there fore, rejoiced, and thanked the Lord. The day of Christ, spoken of by the Apostle, is the day of judgment, which comes to every man at the very hour of his death.
GOSPEL. Matt. xxii. 15-21.
At that time, the Pharisees going, consulted among them selves how to ensnare Jesus in His speech. And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying: Master, we know that Thou art a true speaker, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest Thou for any man : for Thou dost not regard the person of men. Tell us, therefore, what dost Thou think, is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not ? But Jesus, knowing their wickedness, said : Why do you tempt Me, ye hypocrites ? Show Me the coin of the tribute. And they offered Him a penny. And Jesus saith to them : Whose image and inscription is this ? They say to Him : Caesar’s. Then He saith to them : Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.
Who are hypocrites ?
Those who, in order to deceive their neighbors, show them selves outwardly pious, while within they are full of evil dispositions and malice ; who have honey on the tongue, but gall in the heart ; who, like scorpions, sting when one least expects it. Such men are cursed by God (Mai. i. 14).
" The Lord hateth a mouth with a double tongue"(Prov. viii. 13). "Assumed sanctity," says St. Jerome, "is a double maliciousness."
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Next: Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost
Friday, November 11, 2011
FEAST OF ST. MARTIN, BISHOP NOVEMBER 11
Feast of St. Martin, Bishop
November 11
ST. MARTIN was born in the year 316 in Pannonia, or Hungary, of pagan parents, but he received secret instruction in the Christian religion, and in his tenth year was received into the number of the catechumens, that is, of those who are pre paring themselves to receive holy Baptism. At the age of fifteen he became a soldier, being, as is probable, forced to do so by his father, to whom the religion of the boy had become known. Out of love of God he not only kept himself aloof from the excesses so common in this state of life, but he took advantage of it to practise love for man, by dividing his pay among the poor. Being one day solicited for alms by a beggar, and having nothing but his arms and his cloak, he gave him half his cloak. The following night Christ appeared to him, wearing that half of the cloak, and said to him: "Martin, who is yet a catechumen, has clothed Me with this garment." Moved by this comforting apparition, he received holy Baptism, gave up the life of a soldier, and betook himself to St. Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers, in France. As he was careful for his own salvation, so also was he careful of the salvation of others, particularly of his parents and relatives, for the sake of whose conversion he undertook a journey to his native land. On his return he built, not far from Poitiers, the first convent in France, into which he received twenty-four monks, with whom he led a strict and virtuous life. His great faith made him like the apostles in regard to miracles, and the fame thereof spread abroad to that degree that, in spite of his refusals, he was chosen Bishop of Tours. This high dignity made no change in his manner of living ; rather it increased his humility, his patience under the greatest persecutions, his zeal for the glory of God, his love for his neighbor, and particularly for his enemies. After he had in such manner ruled over his diocese for twenty-six years, being then over eighty years old, the strength of life left him. He thereupon collected his disciples about him, and said: "Children, I am dying." They wept and mourned. Moved by their tears, he in his prayers professed himself willing to labor longer if it were God’s will. But he had labored for heaven enough, and God desired to place upon him the long-merited crown. With his eyes raised to heaven, he prayed incessantly, allowing himself no relief. At his last moments the enemy sought to confound him by a horrible apparition, but, full of confidence in God, the saint cried out: "What do you seek, cruel monster? In me you will find nothing that is yours;" and soon after his spirit gently sank to rest. Would that we might learn from this saint truly to love God, and to care not only for our own salvation, but for the welfare of our fellow-men in body and soul! Then we, too, might have nothing to fear in death.
Prayer.
O God, Who seest that we cannot subsist by any strength of our own, mercifully grant that by the intercession of blessed Martin, Thy confessor and bishop, we may be protected against all adversity. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, etc,
EPISTLE. Ecclus.. xliv., xlv.
Behold a great priest, who in his days pleased God and was found just, and in the time of wrath he was made a reconciliation. There was not found the like to him who kept the law of the Most High. Therefore by an oath the Lord gave him glory in his posterity. He gave him the blessing of all nations, and confirmed His covenant upon his head. He acknowledged him in his blessings, He preserved for him His mercy : and he found grace before the eyes of the Lord. He glorified him in the sight of kings, and gave him a crown of glory. He made an everlasting covenant with him, and gave him a great priesthood, and made him blessed in glory. To execute the office of the priesthood, and to have praise in His name, and to offer Him due incense for an odor of sweetness.
GOSPEL. Luke xi. 33-36.
At that time Jesus said to the multitude of the Jews : No man lighteth a candle, and putteth it in a hidden place, nor under a bushel : but upon a candlestick, that they that come in may see the light. The light of thy body is thy eye. If thy eye be single, thy whole body will be lightsome : but if it be evil, thy body also will be darksome. Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. If then thy whole body be lightsome, having no part of darkness, the whole shall be lightsome, and as a bright lamp shall enlighten thee.
What does this gospel teach us?
1 . The same that it once taught the Jews : thus, a, Jesus is always the light of the world, and He has not left Himself with out witness that He is so. This light is ever shining upon the world in His doctrines, His life, His acts, in His Church and in the mysteries of grace laid up therein, in the growth and preservation of that Church, and in the miracles which to this hour continue to be wrought within it. Hence, b, if we do not know Him, if we do not obey and reverence His Church, it is but blindness and obduracy on our part ; there is wanting to us a pure, sincere mind, that loves only the truth. This gospel accordingly admonishes us : 2. That we should acquire such a mind; for, says Jesus, as a sound, clear eye keeps the whole body always in the right direction, and guides it in all its movements, while an eye that is awry, or otherwise defective, causes the body to fall, in like manner a heart that is pure and always turned towards God gives the right direction to our thoughts, wishes, and actions, and causes us to see the light of truth, whereas a heart fixed upon the various goods of the world, but blinded to God, fills our thoughts, wishes, and actions with cor ruption and sin. How great in that case must be the darkness, the depravity, the misery ! 3. This gospel contains the emblem of that which, a, all superiors, masters, heads of families parents and particularly priests should be, namely, lights, like Jesus Himself. For this they are set upon the candlestick. They are, accordingly, to give light by their teaching and life, by their avoidance of scandals ; b, of that which every Christian should be a light, by his faith, his good works. Finally, c, of the temper with which the faithful and all inferiors should meet those who are set over them, with believing and trusting minds.
Prayer to St. Martin
O St. Martin, precious heart of the priesthood, loving father of the poor, bright example of the religious, who, out of zeal for the glory of God, couldst neither be overcome by labor nor by death itself, at whose departure hence the angels therefore rejoiced, I implore thee, through thy powerful intercession, to obtain for me a heart full of compassion for the needy, for the apostolic pastors of the Church, true zeal, and for all, on the bed of death, the grace by which, after this life of misery, we may together enter into that joy of the Lord which thou, as a good and faithful servant, already possessest. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, etc.
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Next: Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost
November 11
ST. MARTIN was born in the year 316 in Pannonia, or Hungary, of pagan parents, but he received secret instruction in the Christian religion, and in his tenth year was received into the number of the catechumens, that is, of those who are pre paring themselves to receive holy Baptism. At the age of fifteen he became a soldier, being, as is probable, forced to do so by his father, to whom the religion of the boy had become known. Out of love of God he not only kept himself aloof from the excesses so common in this state of life, but he took advantage of it to practise love for man, by dividing his pay among the poor. Being one day solicited for alms by a beggar, and having nothing but his arms and his cloak, he gave him half his cloak. The following night Christ appeared to him, wearing that half of the cloak, and said to him: "Martin, who is yet a catechumen, has clothed Me with this garment." Moved by this comforting apparition, he received holy Baptism, gave up the life of a soldier, and betook himself to St. Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers, in France. As he was careful for his own salvation, so also was he careful of the salvation of others, particularly of his parents and relatives, for the sake of whose conversion he undertook a journey to his native land. On his return he built, not far from Poitiers, the first convent in France, into which he received twenty-four monks, with whom he led a strict and virtuous life. His great faith made him like the apostles in regard to miracles, and the fame thereof spread abroad to that degree that, in spite of his refusals, he was chosen Bishop of Tours. This high dignity made no change in his manner of living ; rather it increased his humility, his patience under the greatest persecutions, his zeal for the glory of God, his love for his neighbor, and particularly for his enemies. After he had in such manner ruled over his diocese for twenty-six years, being then over eighty years old, the strength of life left him. He thereupon collected his disciples about him, and said: "Children, I am dying." They wept and mourned. Moved by their tears, he in his prayers professed himself willing to labor longer if it were God’s will. But he had labored for heaven enough, and God desired to place upon him the long-merited crown. With his eyes raised to heaven, he prayed incessantly, allowing himself no relief. At his last moments the enemy sought to confound him by a horrible apparition, but, full of confidence in God, the saint cried out: "What do you seek, cruel monster? In me you will find nothing that is yours;" and soon after his spirit gently sank to rest. Would that we might learn from this saint truly to love God, and to care not only for our own salvation, but for the welfare of our fellow-men in body and soul! Then we, too, might have nothing to fear in death.
Prayer.
O God, Who seest that we cannot subsist by any strength of our own, mercifully grant that by the intercession of blessed Martin, Thy confessor and bishop, we may be protected against all adversity. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, etc,
EPISTLE. Ecclus.. xliv., xlv.
Behold a great priest, who in his days pleased God and was found just, and in the time of wrath he was made a reconciliation. There was not found the like to him who kept the law of the Most High. Therefore by an oath the Lord gave him glory in his posterity. He gave him the blessing of all nations, and confirmed His covenant upon his head. He acknowledged him in his blessings, He preserved for him His mercy : and he found grace before the eyes of the Lord. He glorified him in the sight of kings, and gave him a crown of glory. He made an everlasting covenant with him, and gave him a great priesthood, and made him blessed in glory. To execute the office of the priesthood, and to have praise in His name, and to offer Him due incense for an odor of sweetness.
GOSPEL. Luke xi. 33-36.
At that time Jesus said to the multitude of the Jews : No man lighteth a candle, and putteth it in a hidden place, nor under a bushel : but upon a candlestick, that they that come in may see the light. The light of thy body is thy eye. If thy eye be single, thy whole body will be lightsome : but if it be evil, thy body also will be darksome. Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. If then thy whole body be lightsome, having no part of darkness, the whole shall be lightsome, and as a bright lamp shall enlighten thee.
What does this gospel teach us?
1 . The same that it once taught the Jews : thus, a, Jesus is always the light of the world, and He has not left Himself with out witness that He is so. This light is ever shining upon the world in His doctrines, His life, His acts, in His Church and in the mysteries of grace laid up therein, in the growth and preservation of that Church, and in the miracles which to this hour continue to be wrought within it. Hence, b, if we do not know Him, if we do not obey and reverence His Church, it is but blindness and obduracy on our part ; there is wanting to us a pure, sincere mind, that loves only the truth. This gospel accordingly admonishes us : 2. That we should acquire such a mind; for, says Jesus, as a sound, clear eye keeps the whole body always in the right direction, and guides it in all its movements, while an eye that is awry, or otherwise defective, causes the body to fall, in like manner a heart that is pure and always turned towards God gives the right direction to our thoughts, wishes, and actions, and causes us to see the light of truth, whereas a heart fixed upon the various goods of the world, but blinded to God, fills our thoughts, wishes, and actions with cor ruption and sin. How great in that case must be the darkness, the depravity, the misery ! 3. This gospel contains the emblem of that which, a, all superiors, masters, heads of families parents and particularly priests should be, namely, lights, like Jesus Himself. For this they are set upon the candlestick. They are, accordingly, to give light by their teaching and life, by their avoidance of scandals ; b, of that which every Christian should be a light, by his faith, his good works. Finally, c, of the temper with which the faithful and all inferiors should meet those who are set over them, with believing and trusting minds.
Prayer to St. Martin
O St. Martin, precious heart of the priesthood, loving father of the poor, bright example of the religious, who, out of zeal for the glory of God, couldst neither be overcome by labor nor by death itself, at whose departure hence the angels therefore rejoiced, I implore thee, through thy powerful intercession, to obtain for me a heart full of compassion for the needy, for the apostolic pastors of the Church, true zeal, and for all, on the bed of death, the grace by which, after this life of misery, we may together enter into that joy of the Lord which thou, as a good and faithful servant, already possessest. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, etc.
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Next: Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday, November 6, 2011
TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost
AT the Introit of the Mass is said the prayer of Mardochai, which may be used in all necessities and adversities. "All things are in Thy will, O Lord, and there is none that can resist Thy will ; for Thou hast made all things, heaven and earth, and all things that are under the cope of heaven. Thou art Lord of all. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord." Glory be to the Father, etc.
Prayer.
Preserve, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy family by continued mercy, that by Thy protection they may be free from all adversity, and in good works be devoted to Thy name. Through Christ our Lord, etc.
EPISTLE. Ephesians vi. 10-17.
Brethren : Be strengthened in the Lord, and in the might of His power. Put you on the armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the deceits of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places. Therefore take unto you the armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and to stand in all things perfect. Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of justice, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace: in all things taking the shield of faith, wherewith you may be able to extinguish all the fiery darts of the most wicked one. And take unto you the helmet of salvation ; and the sword of the Spirit (which is the word of God).
Explanation.
In this epistle the holy apostle encourages us to the combat against evil, and points out both our enemy and the weapons we are to use. He exhorts us to protect ourselves by, 1, the girdle that is, truth, by virtue of which we despise the goods of earth; 2, the breastplate that is, justice, which renders to God, our neighbor, and ourselves what is due to each; 3, the shoes that is, readiness in regulating our lives by the Gospel ; 4, the shield that is, faith, by the doctrines and promises of which we render harmless the fiery darts of the devil; 5, the helmet that is, the hope of eternal salvation, which enables us to endure all temporal misfortune ; 6, the sword that is, the word of God, which, when we use it after the example of Jesus, the most pow- erful enemy cannot resist (Matt. iv.). Thus armed, we shall be conquerors in the combat with Satan, and gain the crown of victory.
GOSPEL. Matt, xviii. 23-35.
At that time . Jesus spoke to His disciples this parable : The kingdom of God is likened to a king who would take an account of his servants. And when he had begun to take the account, one was brought to him that owed him ten thousand talents. And as he had not wherewith to pay it, his lord commanded that he should be sold, and his wife and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. But that servant, falling down, besought him, saying : Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And the lord of that servant, being moved with pity, let him go, and forgave him the debt. But when that servant was gone out, he found one of his fellow-servants that owed him a hundred pence ; and laying hold of him, he throttled him, saying : Pay what thou owest. And his fellow-servant, falling down, besought him, saying : Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he paid the debt. Now his fellow-servants, seeing what was done, were very much grieved, and they came and told their lord all that was done. Then his lord called him, and said to him : Thou wicked servant ! I forgave thee all the debt, because thou besoughtest me : shouldst not thou then have had compassion also on thy fellow-servant, even as I had compassion on thee? And his lord, being angry, delivered him to the torturers until he paid all the debt. So also shall My heavenly Father do to you, if you forgive not every one his brother from your hearts. What would Jesus teach by this parable ?
The king is God ; the servant is mankind ; the ten thousand talents, equal to ten millions of dollars, signify the enormous and excessive debts which men contract by their sins against God : a sum so exceedingly great as to show clearly that the debt of man to God is without limit, and truly overwhelming. The hundred pence, a small sum, equal to perhaps six or seven dollars, denotes the offences which others have given us, and which, in comparison with our offences against God, are insignificant. By this parable, therefore, Jesus intended to say : As God for gives your immense debts if you sorrowfully pray for forgiveness, so ought you to forgive your fellow-men their comparatively light debts when they ask forgiveness of you. Unless you grant it, you shall receive no pardon from My Father. "Who are like that unmerciful servant ?
All unmerciful and hard-hearted persons; particularly, 1, rulers who oppress the people by excessive taxes; 2, those who oppress widows and orphans, and keep from servants the wages due them; 3, those who have no patience with their debtors, but deprive them of house and goods rather than be indulgent to them. God will deal with such men in the other world as they have dealt with their neighbors in this. 4. Finally, all persons who will not forgive injuries done them, but preserve hatred in their hearts; who bring such as have injured them before the courts, and even seek to injure them out of revenge. How can they hope to obtain mercy?
What is meant by forgiving from the heart ?
It is to banish from the heart all hatred and desire of revenge ; to bear in our hearts a sincere love towards our enemy, and to manifest it by works of charity. If we think of the multitude of sins which God has forgiven us, how can we re fuse to forgive trifling wrongs against ourselves ? At any rate, let us not forget that God forgives us only when we also forgive from the heart.
Ejaculation.
Merciful God, grant me grace to be truly merciful towards my fellow-men, as Thou art towards me. Prayer.
O God, Who, through the patience of Thine only-begotten Son, hast humbled the pride of our old enemy, mercifully grant that, by considering what He has suffered for us, we may cheer fully and patiently bear our adversities, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Next: Feast of St. Martin, Bishop November 11
AT the Introit of the Mass is said the prayer of Mardochai, which may be used in all necessities and adversities. "All things are in Thy will, O Lord, and there is none that can resist Thy will ; for Thou hast made all things, heaven and earth, and all things that are under the cope of heaven. Thou art Lord of all. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord." Glory be to the Father, etc.
Prayer.
Preserve, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy family by continued mercy, that by Thy protection they may be free from all adversity, and in good works be devoted to Thy name. Through Christ our Lord, etc.
EPISTLE. Ephesians vi. 10-17.
Brethren : Be strengthened in the Lord, and in the might of His power. Put you on the armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the deceits of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places. Therefore take unto you the armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and to stand in all things perfect. Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of justice, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace: in all things taking the shield of faith, wherewith you may be able to extinguish all the fiery darts of the most wicked one. And take unto you the helmet of salvation ; and the sword of the Spirit (which is the word of God).
Explanation.
In this epistle the holy apostle encourages us to the combat against evil, and points out both our enemy and the weapons we are to use. He exhorts us to protect ourselves by, 1, the girdle that is, truth, by virtue of which we despise the goods of earth; 2, the breastplate that is, justice, which renders to God, our neighbor, and ourselves what is due to each; 3, the shoes that is, readiness in regulating our lives by the Gospel ; 4, the shield that is, faith, by the doctrines and promises of which we render harmless the fiery darts of the devil; 5, the helmet that is, the hope of eternal salvation, which enables us to endure all temporal misfortune ; 6, the sword that is, the word of God, which, when we use it after the example of Jesus, the most pow- erful enemy cannot resist (Matt. iv.). Thus armed, we shall be conquerors in the combat with Satan, and gain the crown of victory.
GOSPEL. Matt, xviii. 23-35.
At that time . Jesus spoke to His disciples this parable : The kingdom of God is likened to a king who would take an account of his servants. And when he had begun to take the account, one was brought to him that owed him ten thousand talents. And as he had not wherewith to pay it, his lord commanded that he should be sold, and his wife and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. But that servant, falling down, besought him, saying : Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And the lord of that servant, being moved with pity, let him go, and forgave him the debt. But when that servant was gone out, he found one of his fellow-servants that owed him a hundred pence ; and laying hold of him, he throttled him, saying : Pay what thou owest. And his fellow-servant, falling down, besought him, saying : Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he paid the debt. Now his fellow-servants, seeing what was done, were very much grieved, and they came and told their lord all that was done. Then his lord called him, and said to him : Thou wicked servant ! I forgave thee all the debt, because thou besoughtest me : shouldst not thou then have had compassion also on thy fellow-servant, even as I had compassion on thee? And his lord, being angry, delivered him to the torturers until he paid all the debt. So also shall My heavenly Father do to you, if you forgive not every one his brother from your hearts. What would Jesus teach by this parable ?
The king is God ; the servant is mankind ; the ten thousand talents, equal to ten millions of dollars, signify the enormous and excessive debts which men contract by their sins against God : a sum so exceedingly great as to show clearly that the debt of man to God is without limit, and truly overwhelming. The hundred pence, a small sum, equal to perhaps six or seven dollars, denotes the offences which others have given us, and which, in comparison with our offences against God, are insignificant. By this parable, therefore, Jesus intended to say : As God for gives your immense debts if you sorrowfully pray for forgiveness, so ought you to forgive your fellow-men their comparatively light debts when they ask forgiveness of you. Unless you grant it, you shall receive no pardon from My Father. "Who are like that unmerciful servant ?
All unmerciful and hard-hearted persons; particularly, 1, rulers who oppress the people by excessive taxes; 2, those who oppress widows and orphans, and keep from servants the wages due them; 3, those who have no patience with their debtors, but deprive them of house and goods rather than be indulgent to them. God will deal with such men in the other world as they have dealt with their neighbors in this. 4. Finally, all persons who will not forgive injuries done them, but preserve hatred in their hearts; who bring such as have injured them before the courts, and even seek to injure them out of revenge. How can they hope to obtain mercy?
What is meant by forgiving from the heart ?
It is to banish from the heart all hatred and desire of revenge ; to bear in our hearts a sincere love towards our enemy, and to manifest it by works of charity. If we think of the multitude of sins which God has forgiven us, how can we re fuse to forgive trifling wrongs against ourselves ? At any rate, let us not forget that God forgives us only when we also forgive from the heart.
Ejaculation.
Merciful God, grant me grace to be truly merciful towards my fellow-men, as Thou art towards me. Prayer.
O God, Who, through the patience of Thine only-begotten Son, hast humbled the pride of our old enemy, mercifully grant that, by considering what He has suffered for us, we may cheer fully and patiently bear our adversities, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Next: Feast of St. Martin, Bishop November 11
ALL SOUL'S DAY, NOVEMBER 2
All Souls Day
NOVEMBER 2.
ALL SOULS DAY is the annual commemoration of all those souls who departed this life in the grace and favor of God but who are still detained in purgatory. Purgatory is that third place in the other world in which the souls of the departed suffer the temporal punishment of those sins for which in life they have not sufficiently atoned, and in which they are purified until they are worthy to appear in the presence of God.
Is there a purgatory?
Yes; it is a doctrine of our faith. 1. Even under the Old Law the Jews held to this belief, and accordingly Judas Machabeus sent twelve thousand silver drachmas to Jerusalem to procure the offering of sacrifices for the dead. 2. Under the New Law Jesus Christ seems to point to such a place (Matt. v. 26, xii. 32). The apostle Paul writes to the Corinthians : "The fire shall try every man s work, of what sort it is. If any man s work abide, which he hath built thereupon [upon Christ], he shall receive a reward; if any man s work burn, he shall suffer loss [by the fire of purgatory], but he himself shall be saved, yet so as by fire."(i. Cor. iii. 13-15). A fire from which a man may be saved cannot be the fire of hell ; for from hell there is no redemption. The words of St. Paul, therefore, can only be understood of purgatory.
What souls are they that go to purgatory?
The souls of all those who, though dying in the grace of God, have yet something to atone for. Those persons dying in the grace of God are still friends of God, and certainly God does not cast those who are His friends into hell. It is, therefore, as suitable to the idea of God’s mercy as it is consonant to reason that such souls should be first purified in purgatory. How can we assist the souls suffering in purgatory ? 1. By our prayers. The Holy Scripture says: "It is a holy and a wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins" (II. Mach. xii. 46). The Catholic Church has therefore always taught that the prayer of the faithful for the departed is holy and wholesome. 2. By the holy sacrifice of the Mass, the fruits of which are most beneficial to the souls in purgatory. For this reason holy Church has always, from the time of the apostles, remembered the dead in the holy Mass. 3. By gaining indulgences, and other good works, by which we supplicate God to show mercy to the souls of the suffering, to accept what is performed by us in satisfaction for the punishment to be endured by them, and to bring them into the kingdom of everlasting peace and light (Ecclus. vii. 37). When and how was this yearly commemoration of the de parted introduced?
The time of the introduction of this commemoration cannot be determined ; for as early as the time of Tertullian he mentions that the Christians of his day held a yearly commemoration of the dead. Towards the end of the tenth century St. Odo, abbot of the Benedictines, at Cluny, directed this feast to be celebrated yearly, on the 2nd of November, in all the con vents of his Order, which usage was afterwards enjoined upon the whole Christian world by Pope John XYI. The feast of this day was probably established in order that, after having one day before rejoiced over the glory of the saints in heaven, we should this day remember in love those who are sighing in purgatory for deliverance.
Prayer.
O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant to the souls of Thy servants departed the remission of all their sins, that, by our pious supplications, they may obtain the pardon which they have always desired. Who livest and reignest, etc.
EPISTLE, i. Cor. xv. 51-57.
Brethren : Behold I tell you a mystery : we shall all indeed rise again, but we shall not all be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet : for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall rise again incorruptible : and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption: and this mortal must put on immortality. And when this mortal hath put on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written : Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting? Now the sting of death is sin : and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, Who hath given us the victory through Our Lord Jesus Christ.
GOSPEL. John v. 25-29.
At that time Jesus said to the multitude of the Jews : Amen, amen, I say unto you, that the hour cometh, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God : and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in Himself : so He hath given to the Son also to have life in Himself: and He hath given Him power to do judgment, because He is the Son of man. Wonder not at this, for the hour cometh wherein all that are in the graves shall hear the voice of the Son of God : and they that have done good things shall come forth unto the resurrection of life : but they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment.
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Next: Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost
NOVEMBER 2.
ALL SOULS DAY is the annual commemoration of all those souls who departed this life in the grace and favor of God but who are still detained in purgatory. Purgatory is that third place in the other world in which the souls of the departed suffer the temporal punishment of those sins for which in life they have not sufficiently atoned, and in which they are purified until they are worthy to appear in the presence of God.
Is there a purgatory?
Yes; it is a doctrine of our faith. 1. Even under the Old Law the Jews held to this belief, and accordingly Judas Machabeus sent twelve thousand silver drachmas to Jerusalem to procure the offering of sacrifices for the dead. 2. Under the New Law Jesus Christ seems to point to such a place (Matt. v. 26, xii. 32). The apostle Paul writes to the Corinthians : "The fire shall try every man s work, of what sort it is. If any man s work abide, which he hath built thereupon [upon Christ], he shall receive a reward; if any man s work burn, he shall suffer loss [by the fire of purgatory], but he himself shall be saved, yet so as by fire."(i. Cor. iii. 13-15). A fire from which a man may be saved cannot be the fire of hell ; for from hell there is no redemption. The words of St. Paul, therefore, can only be understood of purgatory.
What souls are they that go to purgatory?
The souls of all those who, though dying in the grace of God, have yet something to atone for. Those persons dying in the grace of God are still friends of God, and certainly God does not cast those who are His friends into hell. It is, therefore, as suitable to the idea of God’s mercy as it is consonant to reason that such souls should be first purified in purgatory. How can we assist the souls suffering in purgatory ? 1. By our prayers. The Holy Scripture says: "It is a holy and a wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins" (II. Mach. xii. 46). The Catholic Church has therefore always taught that the prayer of the faithful for the departed is holy and wholesome. 2. By the holy sacrifice of the Mass, the fruits of which are most beneficial to the souls in purgatory. For this reason holy Church has always, from the time of the apostles, remembered the dead in the holy Mass. 3. By gaining indulgences, and other good works, by which we supplicate God to show mercy to the souls of the suffering, to accept what is performed by us in satisfaction for the punishment to be endured by them, and to bring them into the kingdom of everlasting peace and light (Ecclus. vii. 37). When and how was this yearly commemoration of the de parted introduced?
The time of the introduction of this commemoration cannot be determined ; for as early as the time of Tertullian he mentions that the Christians of his day held a yearly commemoration of the dead. Towards the end of the tenth century St. Odo, abbot of the Benedictines, at Cluny, directed this feast to be celebrated yearly, on the 2nd of November, in all the con vents of his Order, which usage was afterwards enjoined upon the whole Christian world by Pope John XYI. The feast of this day was probably established in order that, after having one day before rejoiced over the glory of the saints in heaven, we should this day remember in love those who are sighing in purgatory for deliverance.
Prayer.
O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant to the souls of Thy servants departed the remission of all their sins, that, by our pious supplications, they may obtain the pardon which they have always desired. Who livest and reignest, etc.
EPISTLE, i. Cor. xv. 51-57.
Brethren : Behold I tell you a mystery : we shall all indeed rise again, but we shall not all be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet : for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall rise again incorruptible : and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption: and this mortal must put on immortality. And when this mortal hath put on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written : Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting? Now the sting of death is sin : and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, Who hath given us the victory through Our Lord Jesus Christ.
GOSPEL. John v. 25-29.
At that time Jesus said to the multitude of the Jews : Amen, amen, I say unto you, that the hour cometh, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God : and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in Himself : so He hath given to the Son also to have life in Himself: and He hath given Him power to do judgment, because He is the Son of man. Wonder not at this, for the hour cometh wherein all that are in the graves shall hear the voice of the Son of God : and they that have done good things shall come forth unto the resurrection of life : but they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment.
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Next: Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost
FEAST OF ALL SAINTS, NOVEMBER 1
Feast of All Saints
November 1
WHY has the Church appointed this feast?
1. To honor God in His saints, in whom He has shown Himself so wonderful, and to thank Him, as the author of all sanctity, for the benefits He has bestowed upon them. 2. To put us in lively remembrance of the communion of saints ; that is, of all true children of the Church, whether they belong to the Church militant on earth, to the Church suffering in purgatory, or to the Church triumphant in heaven ; but more particularly to cause us to consider, with earnestness, the communion of the saints in heaven with us, who are yet combating on earth. 3. To encourage us to strive for the like sanctity with them, and to teach us that it is by no means impossible ; for if thousands of men could become saints, why should not we, who can do all things through Him Who strengthens us, and has sent the Holy Ghost for our sanctification? 4. To pay honor to those saints to whom no particular day in the year is dedicated. 5. That, in consideration of so many intercessors, God may grant us perfect reconciliation, may give us a share in their merits, and may grant us the grace of one day sharing in their joy in heaven.
By whom was this feast instituted?
By Pope Boniface IV., who, in the year 610, appropriated the Pantheon (that is, the temple of all gods) to the divine service of Christians, dedicated it to the Blessed Virgin and all saints, and commanded this feast in honor of all saints to be celebrated at Rome every year. Gregory IV., in the year 840, extended this feast to the whole Church, and transferred it to the 1st of November.
Prayer.
O Almighty God, Who hast granted us to venerate in one solemnity the merits of all Thy saints, we beseech Thee that, as our intercessors are multiplied, Thou wouldst bestow upon us the desired abundance of mercy. Through Christ our Lord, etc. Amen.
EPISTLE. Apoc. vii. 2-12.
In those days: Behold I John saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, having the sign of the living God : and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, saying : Hurt not the earth, nor the sea, nor the trees, till we sign the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them that were signed, an hundred forty-four thousand were signed, of every tribe of the children of Israel. Of the tribe of Juda, were twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Ruben, twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Gad, twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Aser, twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Nephthali, twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Manasses, twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Simeon, twelve thou sand signed. Of the tribe of Levi, twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Issachar, twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Zabulon, twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Joseph, twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Benjamin, twelve thousand signed. After this, I saw a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and tribes, and peoples, and tongues : standing before the throne, and in sight of the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands : and they cried with a loud voice, saying: Salvation to our God, Who sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and the ancients, and the four living creatures : and they fell down before the throne upon their faces, and adored God, saying : Amen. Benediction, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, honor, and power, and strength to our God forever and ever. Amen.
GOSPEL. Matt. v. 1-12.
At that time : Jesus seeing the multitudes, went up into a mountain, and when He was set down, His disciples came unto Him. And opening His mouth, He taught them, saying: Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are the meek : for they shall possess the land. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice : for they shall have their fill. Blessed are the merciful : for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart : for they shall see God. Blessed are the peace-makers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for My sake; be glad and rejoice, for your reward is very great in heaven. This gospel is read to-day because it is by practising what it contains that the saints have gained the eternal kingdom.
Explanation of the Eight Beatitudes.
I. " Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." The poor in spirit are: 1. Those who, like the apostles, readily forsake all earthly things, and for Christ s sake become poor. 2. Those who, happening to lose their property by misfortune or injustice, suffer the loss patiently, in resignation to the will of God. 3. Those who, like Jesus (Matt. viii. 20), are content with their poor and humble position, seek no higher or happier one, and would rather suffer want than enrich themselves by unlawful acts, by fraud or theft. 4. The rich and noble who set not their hearts upon the riches and greatness of the world (Ps. Ixi. 11 ; i. Cor. vii. 30), but who use their riches and influence to relieve the misery of the needy and oppressed. 5. Finally, the truly humble, who, convinced of their weakness, their helplessness and misery, think lowly of themselves, and regard themselves but as beggars, who are always in need of the grace of God. To all these, therefore, in whose hearts the world has no place, there is assured, as their inheritance, the kingdom of heaven ; here the kingdom of grace there the kingdom of glory.
II. "Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the land." That man is rneek who does not murmur against God for sending afflictions upon him, who is not angry at men who do him injury, but who rather suppresses impatience, anger, envy, and revenge, nay, who seeks to recompense the evil done him by his neighbor with good. Such a one is greater than he who takes by storm fortified cities (Prov. xvi. 32) ; he possesses an unfailing fountain of peace, quiet, and cheerfulness ; by his meekness prevails over the most hostile minds, is by such means truly a ruler upon earth, and will one day, for his portion, obtain heaven, the land of the living, there to enjoy eternal peace.
III. "Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted." By them that mourn we are not to understand such as grieve and lament over a death, a misfortune, a loss of worldly goods, or the like ; but those who are grieved that God should be in so many ways offended by themselves and by others that His Church should be so heavily oppressed, and thereby so many souls lost that have been redeemed with the precious blood of Christ. The only evil really to be grieved for is sin, and the tears shed on account of sin are the only tears that are profitable, for they shall be recompensed with everlasting joy.
IV. " Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice, for they shall have their fill." Hunger and thirst denote the most ardent longing after those virtues which constitute Christian perfection; such as humility, meekness, the love of God and of our neighbor, penance. Whoever longs for these virtues as the hungry man does for food and drink, and prays to God for them with perseverance and earnestness, shall have his fill ; that is, he shall be enriched with them, and one day shall be satisfied with eternal happiness.
V. " Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." The merciful here spoken of are: 1. Those who willingly for give the injuries done to them. 2. Those who have compassion on their poor neighbors, and, according to their ability, sustain them by alms. These shall obtain mercy ; that is, God will forgive them their sins and endow them abundantly with the goods of this world and of the world to come. Thus God deals with us as we deal with others (Matt. vii. 2).
VI. "Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God." The clean of heart are those who preserve with care the innocence with which they are invested at holy Baptism, or seek to regain it, when lost, by penance ; those who keep their hearts and consciences unspotted from all sinful thoughts, particularly from all unchaste thoughts, desires, words, and acts, and who endeavor in all things to have a pure intention directed to God alone. They shall see God, that is, they shall know Him even here upon earth, for as the eye that is to see must be clean, so only souls that are pure and unstained can behold God. But further, our knowledge is like our hearts ; the purer the heart the clearer and greater is the knowledge of God. But in the world above they shall see, know, and possess Him as He is. What blessedness! Strive, therefore, to keep your heart clean.
VII. "Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called the children of God." By peace-makers we are to understand those who have peace with themselves, that is, a quiet con science, and who endeavor to maintain peace among others, or to restore it when broken. Such are called the children of God, because they follow God, Who is a God of peace (Rom.. xv. 33), and Who even gave His only Son to reconcile the world with Him (Rom. v. 10), and to bring down upon earth that peace which the world itself could not give (Luke ii. 14; John xiv. 27).
VIII. "Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Hereby all those are declared blessed who, on account of the true faith, of virtue, of the fear of God, of purity, are persecuted, calumniated, and even put to death, and who bear all this with Christian patience and constancy, nay, with joy. Thus have the saints done, and thereby they have gained the heavenly crown. Do we desire to be crowned with them, we must also suffer with them. And in truth, if we would apply ourselves zealously to virtue, occasions will not be wanting to us, for c all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution"(II. Tim. iii. 12).
Prayer.
How lovely, O God, are Thy tabernacles ! My soul longeth and fainteth for Thy courts, O living God, Who art the crown and reward of the saints, and repayest their sufferings and sorrows in this world with eternal joy. How blessed are all they who, in this life, have served Thee faithfully ! They behold Thee and the Lamb of God face to face ; they bear Thy name on their foreheads, and reign with Thee forever. We therefore beseech Thee, O God, through their intercession, to grant us Thy grace to serve Thee after their example, in sanctity and justice ; to follow them in poverty, humility, meekness, repentance, in ardent longing for all virtues, in peace-making and patience, and one day, like them, to share in the joys of heaven. Amen. (See the instruction on the Veneration of the Saints at the beginning of this part, page 350. )
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Next: All Soul's Day, November 2
November 1
WHY has the Church appointed this feast?
1. To honor God in His saints, in whom He has shown Himself so wonderful, and to thank Him, as the author of all sanctity, for the benefits He has bestowed upon them. 2. To put us in lively remembrance of the communion of saints ; that is, of all true children of the Church, whether they belong to the Church militant on earth, to the Church suffering in purgatory, or to the Church triumphant in heaven ; but more particularly to cause us to consider, with earnestness, the communion of the saints in heaven with us, who are yet combating on earth. 3. To encourage us to strive for the like sanctity with them, and to teach us that it is by no means impossible ; for if thousands of men could become saints, why should not we, who can do all things through Him Who strengthens us, and has sent the Holy Ghost for our sanctification? 4. To pay honor to those saints to whom no particular day in the year is dedicated. 5. That, in consideration of so many intercessors, God may grant us perfect reconciliation, may give us a share in their merits, and may grant us the grace of one day sharing in their joy in heaven.
By whom was this feast instituted?
By Pope Boniface IV., who, in the year 610, appropriated the Pantheon (that is, the temple of all gods) to the divine service of Christians, dedicated it to the Blessed Virgin and all saints, and commanded this feast in honor of all saints to be celebrated at Rome every year. Gregory IV., in the year 840, extended this feast to the whole Church, and transferred it to the 1st of November.
Prayer.
O Almighty God, Who hast granted us to venerate in one solemnity the merits of all Thy saints, we beseech Thee that, as our intercessors are multiplied, Thou wouldst bestow upon us the desired abundance of mercy. Through Christ our Lord, etc. Amen.
EPISTLE. Apoc. vii. 2-12.
In those days: Behold I John saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, having the sign of the living God : and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, saying : Hurt not the earth, nor the sea, nor the trees, till we sign the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them that were signed, an hundred forty-four thousand were signed, of every tribe of the children of Israel. Of the tribe of Juda, were twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Ruben, twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Gad, twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Aser, twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Nephthali, twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Manasses, twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Simeon, twelve thou sand signed. Of the tribe of Levi, twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Issachar, twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Zabulon, twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Joseph, twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Benjamin, twelve thousand signed. After this, I saw a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and tribes, and peoples, and tongues : standing before the throne, and in sight of the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands : and they cried with a loud voice, saying: Salvation to our God, Who sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and the ancients, and the four living creatures : and they fell down before the throne upon their faces, and adored God, saying : Amen. Benediction, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, honor, and power, and strength to our God forever and ever. Amen.
GOSPEL. Matt. v. 1-12.
At that time : Jesus seeing the multitudes, went up into a mountain, and when He was set down, His disciples came unto Him. And opening His mouth, He taught them, saying: Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are the meek : for they shall possess the land. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice : for they shall have their fill. Blessed are the merciful : for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart : for they shall see God. Blessed are the peace-makers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for My sake; be glad and rejoice, for your reward is very great in heaven. This gospel is read to-day because it is by practising what it contains that the saints have gained the eternal kingdom.
Explanation of the Eight Beatitudes.
I. " Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." The poor in spirit are: 1. Those who, like the apostles, readily forsake all earthly things, and for Christ s sake become poor. 2. Those who, happening to lose their property by misfortune or injustice, suffer the loss patiently, in resignation to the will of God. 3. Those who, like Jesus (Matt. viii. 20), are content with their poor and humble position, seek no higher or happier one, and would rather suffer want than enrich themselves by unlawful acts, by fraud or theft. 4. The rich and noble who set not their hearts upon the riches and greatness of the world (Ps. Ixi. 11 ; i. Cor. vii. 30), but who use their riches and influence to relieve the misery of the needy and oppressed. 5. Finally, the truly humble, who, convinced of their weakness, their helplessness and misery, think lowly of themselves, and regard themselves but as beggars, who are always in need of the grace of God. To all these, therefore, in whose hearts the world has no place, there is assured, as their inheritance, the kingdom of heaven ; here the kingdom of grace there the kingdom of glory.
II. "Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the land." That man is rneek who does not murmur against God for sending afflictions upon him, who is not angry at men who do him injury, but who rather suppresses impatience, anger, envy, and revenge, nay, who seeks to recompense the evil done him by his neighbor with good. Such a one is greater than he who takes by storm fortified cities (Prov. xvi. 32) ; he possesses an unfailing fountain of peace, quiet, and cheerfulness ; by his meekness prevails over the most hostile minds, is by such means truly a ruler upon earth, and will one day, for his portion, obtain heaven, the land of the living, there to enjoy eternal peace.
III. "Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted." By them that mourn we are not to understand such as grieve and lament over a death, a misfortune, a loss of worldly goods, or the like ; but those who are grieved that God should be in so many ways offended by themselves and by others that His Church should be so heavily oppressed, and thereby so many souls lost that have been redeemed with the precious blood of Christ. The only evil really to be grieved for is sin, and the tears shed on account of sin are the only tears that are profitable, for they shall be recompensed with everlasting joy.
IV. " Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice, for they shall have their fill." Hunger and thirst denote the most ardent longing after those virtues which constitute Christian perfection; such as humility, meekness, the love of God and of our neighbor, penance. Whoever longs for these virtues as the hungry man does for food and drink, and prays to God for them with perseverance and earnestness, shall have his fill ; that is, he shall be enriched with them, and one day shall be satisfied with eternal happiness.
V. " Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." The merciful here spoken of are: 1. Those who willingly for give the injuries done to them. 2. Those who have compassion on their poor neighbors, and, according to their ability, sustain them by alms. These shall obtain mercy ; that is, God will forgive them their sins and endow them abundantly with the goods of this world and of the world to come. Thus God deals with us as we deal with others (Matt. vii. 2).
VI. "Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God." The clean of heart are those who preserve with care the innocence with which they are invested at holy Baptism, or seek to regain it, when lost, by penance ; those who keep their hearts and consciences unspotted from all sinful thoughts, particularly from all unchaste thoughts, desires, words, and acts, and who endeavor in all things to have a pure intention directed to God alone. They shall see God, that is, they shall know Him even here upon earth, for as the eye that is to see must be clean, so only souls that are pure and unstained can behold God. But further, our knowledge is like our hearts ; the purer the heart the clearer and greater is the knowledge of God. But in the world above they shall see, know, and possess Him as He is. What blessedness! Strive, therefore, to keep your heart clean.
VII. "Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called the children of God." By peace-makers we are to understand those who have peace with themselves, that is, a quiet con science, and who endeavor to maintain peace among others, or to restore it when broken. Such are called the children of God, because they follow God, Who is a God of peace (Rom.. xv. 33), and Who even gave His only Son to reconcile the world with Him (Rom. v. 10), and to bring down upon earth that peace which the world itself could not give (Luke ii. 14; John xiv. 27).
VIII. "Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Hereby all those are declared blessed who, on account of the true faith, of virtue, of the fear of God, of purity, are persecuted, calumniated, and even put to death, and who bear all this with Christian patience and constancy, nay, with joy. Thus have the saints done, and thereby they have gained the heavenly crown. Do we desire to be crowned with them, we must also suffer with them. And in truth, if we would apply ourselves zealously to virtue, occasions will not be wanting to us, for c all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution"(II. Tim. iii. 12).
Prayer.
How lovely, O God, are Thy tabernacles ! My soul longeth and fainteth for Thy courts, O living God, Who art the crown and reward of the saints, and repayest their sufferings and sorrows in this world with eternal joy. How blessed are all they who, in this life, have served Thee faithfully ! They behold Thee and the Lamb of God face to face ; they bear Thy name on their foreheads, and reign with Thee forever. We therefore beseech Thee, O God, through their intercession, to grant us Thy grace to serve Thee after their example, in sanctity and justice ; to follow them in poverty, humility, meekness, repentance, in ardent longing for all virtues, in peace-making and patience, and one day, like them, to share in the joys of heaven. Amen. (See the instruction on the Veneration of the Saints at the beginning of this part, page 350. )
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Next: All Soul's Day, November 2
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