Dom Guéranger's The Liturgical Year

Dom Guéranger, abbot of Solesmes from 1837-1875, was one of the leading monastics and liturgists of his generation.

The extract below from the Liturgical Year, is taken from his chapter on Advent.

THE MYSTERY OF ADVENT

If, now that we have described the characteristic features of Advent which distinguish it from the rest of the year, we would penetrate into the profound mystery which occupies the mind of the Church during this season, we find that this mystery of the coming, or Advent, of Jesus is at once simple and threefold. It is simple, for it is the one same Son of God that is coining; it is threefold, because He comes at three different times and in three different ways.
‘In the first coming,’ says St. Bernard, ‘He comes in the flesh and in weakness; in the second, He comes in spirit and in power; in the third, He comes in glory and in majesty; and the second coming is the means whereby we pass from the first to the third.’ [Fifth sermon for Advent].
This, then, is the mystery of Advent. Let us now listen to the explanation of this threefold visit of Christ, given to us by Peter of Blois, in his third Sermon de Adventu: ‘There are three comings of our Lord; the first in the flesh, the second in the soul, the third at the judgement. The first was at midnight, according to those words of the Gospel: At midnight there was a cry made, Lo the Bridegroom cometh! But this first coming is long since past, for Christ has been seen on the earth and has conversed among men. We are now in the second coming, provided only we are such as that He may thus come to us; for He has said that if we love him, He will come unto us and will take up His abode with us. So that this second coming is full of uncertainty to us; for who, save the Spirit of God, knows them that are of God? They that are raised out of themselves by the desire of heavenly things, know indeed when He comes; but whence He cometh, or whither He goeth, they know not. As for the third coming, it is most certain that it will be, most uncertain when it will be; for nothing is more sure than death, and nothing less sure than the hour of death. When they shall say, peace and security, says the apostle, then shall sudden destruction come upon them, as the pains upon her that is with child, and they shall not escape. So that the first coming was humble and hidden, the second is mysterious and full of love, the third will be majestic and terrible.

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Missa Cantata, St. John the Baptist Cathedral, Norwich, Christmas Eve.

The great news from Norwich continues. I have just been informed that there will be a Missa Cantata at St. John the Baptist Catholic Cathedral, Norwich, at 4 pm on Christmas Eve. This Mass will also fulfill the Christmas obligation.
The Mass, which I really do urge as many of you as possible to attend, will be celebrated by Fr. Michael Collis. Many thanks to Fr. Michael!

(Many thanks to Peter in Norwich for getting this good news to me.)

Bishop Athanasius Schneider gives frank interview on recent Synod.

Below I post, in its entirety, an interview with Bishop Athanasius Schneider published in the latest issue of Polonia Christiana magazine. See also here.

Quote

The Church and the world do urgently need intrepid and candid witnesses of the whole truth of the commandment and of the will of God, of the whole truth of Christ’s words on marriage. Modern clerical Pharisees and Scribes, those bishops and cardinals who throw grains of incense to the neo-pagan idols of gender ideology and concubinage, will not convince anyone to either believe in Christ or to be ready to offer their lives for Christ - said + Athanasius Schneider Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Saint Mary in Astana, Kazakhstan in interview with Izabella Parowicz.

Your Excellency, what is Your Excellency’s opinion about the Synod? What is its message to families?

During the Synod there had been moments of obvious manipulation on the part of some clerics who held key positions in the editorial and governing structure of the Synod. The interim report (Relatio post disceptationem) was clearly a prefabricated text with no reference to the actual statements of the Synod fathers. In the sections on homosexuality, sexuality and “divorced and remarried” with their admittance to the sacraments the text represents a radical neo-pagan ideology. This is the first time in Church history that such a heterodox text was actually published as a document of an official meeting of Catholic bishops under the guidance of a pope, even though the text only had a preliminary character. Thanks be to God and to the prayers of the faithful all over the world that a consistent number of Synod fathers resolutely rejected such an agenda; this agenda reflects the corrupt and pagan main stream morality of our time, which is being imposed globally by means of political pressure and through the almost all-powerful official mass media, which are loyal to the principles of the world gender ideology party. Such a synod document, even if only preliminary, is a real shame and an indication to the extent the spirit of the anti-Christian world has already penetrated such important levels of the life of the Church. This document will remain for the future generations and for the historians a black mark which has stained the honour of the Apostolic See. Fortunately the Message of the Synod Fathers is a real Catholic document which outlines the Divine truth on family without being silent about the deeper roots of the problems, i.e. about the reality of sin. It gives real courage and consolation to Catholic families. Some quotations: “We think of the burden imposed by life in the suffering that can arise with a child with special needs, with grave illness, in deterioration of old age, or in the death of a loved one. We admire the fidelity of so many families who endure these trials with courage, faith, and love. They see them not as a burden inflicted on them, but as something in which they themselves give, seeing the suffering Christ in the weakness of the flesh. … Conjugal love, which is unique and indissoluble, endures despite many difficulties. It is one of the most beautiful of all miracles and the most common. This love spreads through fertility and generativity, which involves not only the procreation of children but also the gift of divine life in baptism, their catechesis, and their education. … The presence of the family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in their modest home hovers over you”.

Those groups of people who had been expecting a change in the Church’s teaching with regard to the moral issues (e.g. allowing divorced and remarried people to receive Holy Communion or granting any form of approval for homosexual unions) were probably disappointed by the content of the final Relatio. Isn’t there, however, a danger that questioning and discussing issues that are fundamental for the Church’s teaching may itself open doors for serious abuses and for similar attempts to revise this teaching in the future?

In fact a Divine commandment, in our case the sixth commandment, the absolute indissolubility of the sacramental marriage, a Divinely established rule, means those in a state of grave sin cannot be admitted to Holy Communion. This is taught by Saint Paul in his letter inspired by the Holy Spirit in 1 Corinthians 11, 27-30, this cannot be put to the vote, just as the Divinity of Christ would never be put to a vote. A person who still has the indissoluble sacramental marriage bond and who in spite of this lives in a stable marital cohabitation with another person, by Divine law cannot be admitted to Holy Communion. To do so would be a public statement by the Church nefariously legitimizing a denial of the indissolubility of the Christian marriage and at the same time repealing the sixth commandment of God: “Thou shalt not commit adultery”. No human institution not even the Pope or an Ecumenical Council has the authority and the competency to invalidate even in the slightest or indirect manner one of the ten Divine commandments or the Divine words of Christ: “What therefore God has joined together, let man not separate (Math 19:6)”. Regardless of this lucid truth which was taught constantly and unchangingly - because unchangeable - through all the ages by the Magisterium of the Church up to our days as for instance in “Familiaris consortio” of Saint John Paul II, in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and by Pope Benedict XVI, the issue of the admissibility to Holy Communion of the so called “divorced and remarried” has been put to the vote in the Synod. This fact is in itself grievous and represents an attitude of clerical arrogance towards the Divine truth of the Word of God. The attempt to put the Divine truth and the Divine Word to a vote is unworthy of those who as representatives of the Magisterium have to hand over zealously as good and faithful rules (cf. Math 24, 45) the Divine deposit. By admitting the “divorced and remarried” to Holy Communion those bishops establish a new tradition on their own volition and transgressing thereby the commandment of God, as Christ once rebuked the Pharisees and Scribes (cf. Math 15: 3). And what is still aggravating, is the fact that such bishops try to legitimize their infidelity to Christ’s word by means of arguments such as “pastoral need”, “mercy”, “openness to the Holy Spirit”. Moreover they have no fear and no scruples to pervert in a Gnostic manner the real meaning of these words labeling at the same time those who oppose them and defend the immutable Divine commandment and the true non-human tradition as rigid, scrupulous or traditionalist. During the great Arian crisis in the IV century the defenders of the Divinity of the Son of God were labeled “intransigent” and “traditionalist” as well. Saint Athanasius was even excommunicated by Pope Liberius and the Pope justified this with the argument that Athanasius was not in communion with the Oriental bishops who were mostly heretics or semi-heretics. Saint Basil the Great stated in that situation the following: “Only one sin is nowadays severely punished: the attentive observance of the traditions of our Fathers. For that reason the good ones are thrown out of their places and brought to the desert” (Ep. 243).

In fact the bishops who support Holy Communion for “divorced remarried” are the new Pharisees and Scribes because they neglect the commandment of God, contributing to the fact that out of the body and of the heart of the “divorced remarried” continue to “proceed adulteries” (Math 15: 19), because they want an exteriorly “clean” solution and to appear “clean” as well in the eyes of those who have power (the social media, public opinion). However when they eventually appear at the tribunal of Christ, they will surely hear to their dismay these words of Christ: “Why are you declaring my statutes and taking my covenant in your mouth? Seeing you hate instruction, and cast my words behind you, … when you have been partaker with adulterers” (Ps 50 (49): 16-18).

The final Relatio of the Synod also unfortunately contains the paragraph with the vote on the issue of Holy Communion for “divorced remarried”. Even though it has not achieved the required two third of the votes, there remains nevertheless the worrying and astonishing fact that the absolute majority of the present bishops voted in favor of Holy Communion for the “divorced and remarried”,  a sad reflection on the spiritual quality of the catholic episcopacy in our days. It is moreover sad, that this paragraph which hasn’t got the required approval of the qualitative majority, remains nevertheless in the final text of the Relatio and will be sent to all dioceses for further discussion. It will surely only increase the doctrinal confusion among the priests and the faithful, being in the air, that Divine commandments and Divine words of Christ and those of the apostle Paul are put at the disposal of human decision making groups. One Cardinal who openly and strongly supported the issue of Holy Communion for “divorced and remarried” and even the shameful statements on homosexual “couples” in the preliminary Relatio, was dissatisfied with the final Relatio, and declared impudently: “The glass is half-full”, and analogously he said that one has to work that next year at the Synod it will be full. We must believe firmly that God will dissipate the plans of dishonesty, infidelity and betrayal. Christ holds infallibly the rudder of the boat of His Church in midst of such a big storm. We believe and trust in the very ruler of the Church, in Our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the truth.

We are currently experiencing a culmination of aggression against the family; this aggression is accompanied by a tremendous confusion in the area of science about human and human identity. Unfortunately, there are certain members of Church hierarchy who, while discussing these matters, express opinions that contradict the teaching of Our Lord. How should we talk with those people who become victims of this confusion in order to strengthen their faith and to help them towards salvation?

In this extraordinarily difficult time Christ is purifying our Catholic faith so that through this trial the Church will shine brighter and be really light and salt for the insipid neo-pagan world thanks to the fidelity and the pure and simple faith firstly of the faithful, of the little ones in the Church, of the “ecclesia docta” (the learning church), which in our days will strengthen the “ecclesia docens” (the teaching Church, i.e. the Magisterium), in a similar way as it was in the great crisis of the faith in the IV century as Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman stated: “This is a very remarkable fact: but there is a moral in it. Perhaps it was permitted, in order to impress upon the Church at that very time passing out of her state of persecution the great evangelical lesson, that, not the wise and powerful, but the obscure, the unlearned, and the weak constitute her real strength. It was mainly by the faithful people that Paganism was overthrown; it was by the faithful people, under the lead of Athanasius and the Egyptian bishops, and in some places supported by their Bishops or priests, that the worst of heresies was withstood and stamped out of the sacred territory. … In that time of immense confusion the divine dogma of our Lord's divinity was proclaimed, enforced, maintained, and (humanly speaking) preserved, far more by the "Ecclesia docta" than by the "Ecclesia docens;" that the body of the Episcopate was unfaithful to its commission, while the body of the laity was faithful to its baptism; that at one time the pope, at other times a patriarchal, metropolitan, or other great see, at other times general councils, said what they should not have said, or did what obscured and compromised revealed truth; while, on the other hand, it was the Christian people, who, under Providence, were the ecclesiastical strength of Athanasius, Hilary, Eusebius of Vercellæ, and other great solitary confessors, who would have failed without them” (Arians of the Fourth Century, pp. 446, 466).

We have to encourage ordinary Catholics to be faithful to the Catechism they have learned, to be faithful to the clear words of Christ in the Gospel, to be faithful to the faith their fathers and forefathers handed over to them. We have to organize circles of studies and conferences about the perennial teaching of the Church on the issue of marriage and chastity, inviting especially young people and married couples. We have to show the very beauty of a life in chastity, the very beauty of the Christian marriage and family, the great value of the Cross and of the sacrifice in our lives. We have to present ever more the examples of the Saints and of exemplary persons who demonstrated that in spite of the fact that they suffered the same temptations of the flesh, the same hostility and derision of the pagan world, they nevertheless with the grace of Christ led a happy life in chastity, in a Christian marriage and in family. The faith, the pure and integral Catholic and Apostolic faith will overcome the world (cf. 1 John 5: 4).

We have to found and promote youth groups of pure hearts, family groups, groups of Catholic spouses, who will be committed to the fidelity of their marriage vows. We have to organize groups which will help morally and materially broken families, single mothers, groups who will assist with prayer and with good counsel separated couples, groups and persons who will help “divorced and remarried” people to start a process of serious conversion, i.e. recognizing with humility their sinful situation and abandoning with the grace of God the sins which violate the commandment of God and the sanctity of the sacrament of marriage. We have to create groups who will carefully help persons with homosexual tendencies to enter the path of Christian conversion, the happy and beautiful path of a chaste life and to offer them eventually in a discrete manner a psychological cure. We have to show and preach to our contemporaries in the neo-pagan world the liberating Good News of the teaching of Christ: that the commandment of God, and even the sixth commandment is wise, is beauty: “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes” (Ps 19(18): 7-8).

During the Synod, Archbishop Gądecki from Poznań and some other distinguished prelates were publicly expressing their disagreement with the fact that the results of the discussions departed from the perennial teaching of the Church. Is there a hope that, amid this confusion, there will be an awakening of members of clergy and those faithful who were so far unaware of the fact that, in the very Church’s bosom, there are people who undermine the teaching of Our Lord?

It is certainly an honor for Polish Catholicism that the President of the Catholic episcopate, His Excellency Archbishop Gądecki, defended with clarity and courage the truth of Christ about marriage and human sexuality, thus revealing himself to be a true spiritual son of Saint John Paul II. Cardinal George Pell characterized the liberal sexual agenda and the alleged merciful and pastoral support of Holy Communion for “divorced remarried” during the Synod very aptly, saying that this is only the tip of the iceberg and a kind of a Trojan horse in the Church.

That in the very bosom of the Church, there are people who undermine the teaching of Our Lord became an obvious fact and one for the whole world to see thanks to the internet and the work of some Catholic journalists who were not indifferent to what was happening to the Catholic faith which they consider to be the treasure of Christ. I was pleased to see that some Catholic journalists and internet bloggers behaved as good soldiers of Christ and drew attention to this clerical agenda of undermining the perennial teaching of Our Lord. Cardinals, bishops, priests, Catholic families, Catholic young people have to say to themselves: I refuse to conform to the neo-pagan spirit of this world, even when this spirit is spread by some bishops and cardinals; I will not accept their fallacious and perverse use of holy Divine mercy and of “new Pentecost”; I refuse to throw grains of incense before the statue of the idol of the gender ideology, before the idol of second marriages, of concubinage, even if my bishop would do so, I will not do so; with the grace of God I will choose to suffer rather than betray the whole truth of Christ on human sexuality and on marriage.

The witnesses will convince the world, not the teachers, said Blessed Paul VI in “Evangelii nuntiandi”. The Church and the world do urgently need intrepid and candid witnesses of the whole truth of the commandment and of the will of God, of the whole truth of Christ’s words on marriage. Modern clerical Pharisees and Scribes, those bishops and cardinals who throw grains of incense to the neo-pagan idols of gender ideology and concubinage, will not convince anyone to either believe in Christ or to be ready to offer their lives for Christ. Indeed “veritas Domini manet in aeternum” (Ps 116: the truth of the Lord remains forever) and “Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever” (Hebr 13: 8) and “the truth will set you free” (John 8: 32). This last phrase was one of the favorite biblical phrases of Saint John Paul II, the pope of the family.  We can add: the revealed and unchangeably transmitted Divine truth about human sexuality and marriage will bring true freedom to the souls inside and outside the Church. In midst of the crisis of the Church and the bad moral and doctrinal example of some bishops of his time Saint Augustine comforted the simple faithful with these words: “Whatsoever we bishops may be, you are safe, who have God for your Father and His Church for your mother“ (Contra litteras Petiliani III, 9, 10).


+ Athanasius Schneider, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Saint Mary in Astana, Kazakhstan.


This interview was published in the latest issue of “Polonia Christiana” magazine.


Read more: http://www.pch24.pl/against-pharisees,31907,i.html#ixzz3IDTYDDeZ

Great Photos of Pontifical High Mass at Norwich Cathedral

A luxurious set of photos may be see at one of my favourite blogs, rorate-caeli. Much better than anything I could do from pew 2! Take a look!

Video clips from Norwich Mass

I had forgotten to make these video clips public. I hope you can now see them. If you can't, please tell me!

SSPX's Bishop Fellay: Church situation catastrophic!

I end my blogging for today with an interview with the Superior General of the SSPX, Bishop Bernard Fellay, given to the website of the SSPX's French District, La Porte Latine. 

Talking about the recent Synod:

LPL: The media is talking a lot about the Catholic Church’s Synod. What should we think about it? What should we expect?
Bishop Fellay: There is nothing to expect. There is no need to wait. The direction has been given, and it is clear. We must simply say: it is clear. It is obvious that they wish to trivialize the situation of those who live in adultery, truly in a state of sin. They wish to trivialize it, and that is very, very, very serious. When we play with morality, we are playing with God’s commandments. To have dared, for two weeks, to leave up to opinion questions that leave no room for opinion! It is God’s word. All we have to say is “Amen.” We must, of course, think about how to help these people; we must always think about that. But we certainly do not help them by telling them there is an open door when there is none. The door that is being opened is a door to hell! These prelates who have received the power of the keys, that is, of opening the gates of Heaven, are closing them, and opening the gates of hell. It is unbelievable! It is crazy! Absolutely crazy! And as I said, the direction has been laid out. It is true that this synod was not supposed to make a decision; it was supposed to be a first step, but the first steps have been taken, the direction has been laid out, and it is not hard to guess what the following synod will do. Unless there is a much stronger reaction than the one we see today, and unfortunately, I doubt that there will be. Alas, there will not be!

To read the full article, click here.

Spartaco e la rivolta dei tradizionalisti

I have posted this on the blog some four and a half years ago. Given the current crisis in the Church it might prove beneficial to view it again. It is in Italian, but the meaning is crystal clear. Enjoy.
(N.B. Please don't confuse the video clip with the previous ones from Norwich!)

Must-view news from Gloria TV

Thanks to gloria.tv

A few images from yesterday's Pontifical High Mass in Norwich

We had a wonderful day at Norwich Cathedral yesterday. Many thanks to the bishop, Alan Hopes, for his generosity for the great gift of this wonderful celebration.


I'll post more, including a few video clips, when I can.

Pontifical High Mass at St. John the Baptist Cathedral, Norwich

Just a quick reminder that the Bishop of East Anglia, Alan Hopes, will tomorrow celebrate a Pontifical High Mass for All Saints at 12 noon.

I encourage those of you who live in Norwich or nearby to come along and support this Mass.

ESA honours Mgr. Lemaître

This is perhaps not what I would normally post on the blog, but as I am an astrophysicist and Mgr  Lemaître had also been a visiting scholar at my Cambridge college, St. Edmund's, I felt it appropriate. The European Space Agency, ESA, this year named one of its supply vehicles after him. What did Mgr. Lemaître do to merit this honour? He was a fine cosmologist who made many contributions to the field and in particular came up with the concept of the primeval atom, better known as the Big Bang. Many thanks to one of my favourite blogs, rorate-caeli for alerting me to this.

Domini Nostri Jesu Christi Regis ~ I. classis

First Vespers are given below for tomorrow's feast. As usual, thanks to divinumofficium for the text.

Incipit V. Deus ✝ in adiutórium meum inténde. R. Dómine, ad adiuvándum me festína. V. Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto. R. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, * et in sǽcula sæculórum. Amen. Alleluia.	Start V. O God, ✝ come to my assistance; R. O Lord, make haste to help me. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost. R. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Alleluia.
Psalmi {ex Proprio Sanctorum} Ant. Pacíficus * vocábitur, et thronus eius erit firmíssimus in perpétuum. Psalmus 109 [1] 109:1 Dixit Dóminus Dómino meo: * Sede a dextris meis: 109:2 Donec ponam inimícos tuos, * scabéllum pedum tuórum. 109:3 Virgam virtútis tuæ emíttet Dóminus ex Sion: * domináre in médio inimicórum tuórum. 109:4 Tecum princípium in die virtútis tuæ in splendóribus sanctórum: * ex útero ante lucíferum génui te. 109:5 Iurávit Dóminus, et non poenitébit eum: * Tu es sacérdos in ætérnum secúndum órdinem Melchísedech. 109:6 Dóminus a dextris tuis, * confrégit in die iræ suæ reges. 109:7 Iudicábit in natiónibus, implébit ruínas: * conquassábit cápita in terra multórum. 109:8 De torrénte in via bibet: * proptérea exaltábit caput. V. Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto. R. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, * et in sǽcula sæculórum. Amen. Ant. Pacíficus * vocábitur, et thronus eius erit firmíssimus in perpétuum.	Psalms {from the Proper of Saints} Ant. He shall be called * Peaceable, and his throne shall be most firm for ever. Psalm 109 [1] 109:1 The Lord said to my Lord: * Sit thou at my right hand: 109:2 Until I make thy enemies * thy footstool. 109:3 The Lord will send forth the sceptre of thy power out of Sion: * rule thou in the midst of thy enemies. 109:4 With thee is the principality in the day of thy strength: in the brightness of the saints: * from the womb before the day star I begot thee. 109:5 The Lord hath sworn, and he will not repent: * Thou art a priest for ever according to the order of Melchisedech. 109:6 The Lord at thy right hand * hath broken kings in the day of his wrath. 109:7 He shall judge among nations, he shall fill ruins: * he shall crush the heads in the land of many. 109:8 He shall drink of the torrent in the way: * therefore shall he lift up the head. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost. R. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Ant. He shall be called * Peaceable, and his throne shall be most firm for ever.
Ant. Regnum eius * regnum sempitérnum est, et omnes reges sérvient ei et obédient. Psalmus 110 [2] 110:1 Confitebor tibi, Dómine, in toto corde meo: * in consílio iustórum, et congregatióne. 110:2 Magna ópera Dómini: * exquisíta in omnes voluntátes eius. 110:3 Conféssio et magnificéntia opus eius: * et iustítia eius manet in sæculum sæculi. 110:4 Memóriam fecit mirabílium suórum, miséricors et miserátor Dóminus: * escam dedit timéntibus se. 110:5 Memor erit in sæculum testaménti sui: * virtútem óperum suórum annuntiábit pópulo suo: 110:6 Ut det illis hereditátem géntium: * ópera mánuum eius véritas, et iudícium. 110:7 Fidélia ómnia mandáta eius: confirmáta in sæculum sæculi, * facta in veritáte et æquitáte. 110:8 Redemptiónem misit pópulo suo: * mandávit in ætérnum testaméntum suum. 110:9 (fit reverentia) Sanctum, et terríbile nomen eius: * inítium sapiéntiæ timor Dómini. 110:10 Intelléctus bonus ómnibus faciéntibus eum: * laudátio eius manet in sæculum sæculi. V. Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto. R. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, * et in sǽcula sæculórum. Amen. Ant. Regnum eius * regnum sempitérnum est, et omnes reges sérvient ei et obédient.	Ant. His kingdom * is an everlasting kingdom, and all kings shall serve him, and shall obey him. Psalm 110 [2] 110:1 I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; * in the council of the just, and in the congregation. 110:2 Great are the works of the Lord: * sought out according to all his wills. 110:3 His work is praise and magnificence: * and his justice continueth for ever and ever. 110:4 He hath made a remembrance of his wonderful works, being a merciful and gracious Lord: * he hath given food to them that fear him. 110:5 He will be mindful for ever of his covenant: * he will shew forth to his people the power of his works. 110:6 That he may give them the inheritance of the Gentiles: * the works of his hands are truth and judgment. 110:7 All his commandments are faithful: confirmed for ever and ever, * made in truth and equity. 110:8 He hath sent redemption to his people: * he hath commanded his covenant for ever. 110:9 (bow head) Holy and terrible is his name: * the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. 110:10 A good understanding to all that do it: * his praise continueth for ever and ever. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost. R. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Ant. His kingdom * is an everlasting kingdom, and all kings shall serve him, and shall obey him.
Ant. Ecce Vir Oriens * nomen eius: sedébit et dominábitur, et loquétur pacem Géntibus. Psalmus 111 [3] 111:1 Beátus vir, qui timet Dóminum: * in mandátis eius volet nimis. 111:2 Potens in terra erit semen eius: * generátio rectórum benedicétur. 111:3 Glória, et divítiæ in domo eius: * et iustítia eius manet in sæculum sæculi. 111:4 Exórtum est in ténebris lumen rectis: * miséricors, et miserátor, et iustus. 111:5 Iucúndus homo qui miserétur et cómmodat, dispónet sermónes suos in iudício: * quia in ætérnum non commovébitur. 111:6 In memória ætérna erit iustus: * ab auditióne mala non timébit. 111:7 Parátum cor eius speráre in Dómino, confirmátum est cor eius: * non commovébitur donec despíciat inimícos suos. 111:8 Dispérsit, dedit paupéribus: iustítia eius manet in sæculum sæculi, * cornu eius exaltábitur in glória. 111:9 Peccátor vidébit, et irascétur, déntibus suis fremet et tabéscet: * desidérium peccatórum períbit. V. Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto. R. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, * et in sǽcula sæculórum. Amen. Ant. Ecce Vir Oriens * nomen eius: sedébit et dominábitur, et loquétur pacem Géntibus.	Ant. Behold a man, the Orient * is his name: he shall sit and rule, and shall speak peace to the Gentiles. Psalm 111 [3] 111:1 Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord: * he shall delight exceedingly in his commandments. 111:2 His seed shall be mighty upon earth: * the generation of the righteous shall be blessed. 111:3 Glory and wealth shall be in his house: * and his justice remaineth for ever and ever. 111:4 To the righteous a light is risen up in darkness: * he is merciful, and compassionate and just. 111:5 Acceptable is the man that sheweth mercy and lendeth: he shall order his words with judgment: * because he shall not be moved for ever. 111:6 The just shall be in everlasting remembrance: * he shall not fear the evil hearing. 111:7 His heart is ready to hope in the Lord: his heart is strengthened, * he shall not be moved until he look over his enemies. 111:8 He hath distributed, he hath given to the poor: his justice remaineth for ever and ever: * his horn shall be exalted in glory. 111:9 The wicked shall see, and shall be angry, he shall gnash with his teeth and pine away: * the desire of the wicked shall perish. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost. R. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Ant. Behold a man, the Orient * is his name: he shall sit and rule, and shall speak peace to the Gentiles.
Ant. Dóminus * iudex noster, Dóminus légifer noster: Dóminus Rex noster, ipse salvábit nos. Psalmus 112 [4] 112:1 Laudáte, púeri, Dóminum: * laudáte nomen Dómini. 112:2 (fit reverentia) Sit nomen Dómini benedíctum, * ex hoc nunc, et usque in sæculum. 112:3 A solis ortu usque ad occásum, * laudábile nomen Dómini. 112:4 Excélsus super omnes gentes Dóminus, * et super cælos glória eius. 112:5 Quis sicut Dóminus, Deus noster, qui in altis hábitat, * et humília réspicit in cælo et in terra? 112:6 Súscitans a terra ínopem, * et de stércore érigens páuperem: 112:7 Ut cóllocet eum cum princípibus, * cum princípibus pópuli sui. 112:8 Qui habitáre facit stérilem in domo, * matrem filiórum lætántem. V. Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto. R. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, * et in sǽcula sæculórum. Amen. Ant. Dóminus * iudex noster, Dóminus légifer noster: Dóminus Rex noster, ipse salvábit nos.	Ant. The Lord * is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver: the Lord is our king, he will save us. Psalm 112 [4] 112:1 Praise the Lord, ye children: * praise ye the name of the Lord. 112:2 (bow head) Blessed be the name of the Lord, * from henceforth now and for ever. 112:3 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, * the name of the Lord is worthy of praise. 112:4 The Lord is high above all nations; * and his glory above the heavens. 112:5 Who is as the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high: * and looketh down on the low things in heaven and in earth? 112:6 Raising up the needy from the earth, * and lifting up the poor out of the dunghill: 112:7 That he may place him with princes, * with the princes of his people. 112:8 Who maketh a barren woman to dwell in a house, * the joyful mother of children. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost. R. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Ant. The Lord * is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver: the Lord is our king, he will save us.
Ant. Ecce dedi te * in lucem Géntium, ut sis salus mea usque ad extrémum terræ. Psalmus 116 [5] 116:1 Laudáte Dóminum, omnes gentes: * laudáte eum, omnes pópuli: 116:2 Quóniam confirmáta est super nos misericórdia eius: * et véritas Dómini manet in ætérnum. V. Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto. R. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, * et in sǽcula sæculórum. Amen. Ant. Ecce dedi te * in lucem Géntium, ut sis salus mea usque ad extrémum terræ.	Ant. Behold, I have given thee * to be the light of the Gentiles, that thou mayst be my salvation even to the farthest part of the earth. Psalm 116 [5] 116:1 Praise the Lord, all ye nations: * praise him, all ye people. 116:2 For his mercy is confirmed upon us: * and the truth of the Lord remaineth for ever. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost. R. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Ant. Behold, I have given thee * to be the light of the Gentiles, that thou mayst be my salvation even to the farthest part of the earth.
Capitulum Hymnus Versus {ex Proprio Sanctorum} Col 1:12-13 Fratres: Grátias ágimus Deo Patri, qui dignos nos fecit in partem sortis sanctórum in lúmine, qui erípuit nos de potestáte tenebrárum, et tránstulit in regnum Fílii dilectiónis suæ. R. Deo grátias. Hymnus Te sæculórum Príncipem, Te, Christe, Regem Géntium, Te méntium, te córdium Unum fatémur árbitrum. Scelésta turba clámitat: Regnáre Christum nólumus: Te nos ovántes ómnium Regem suprémum dícimus. O Christe, Princeps Pácifer, Mentes rebélles súbiice: Tuóque amóre dévios, Ovíle in unum cóngrega. Ad hoc cruénta ab árbore Pendes apértis bráchiis, Diráque fossum cúspide Cor igne flagrans éxhibes. Ad hoc in aris ábderis Vini dapísque imágine, Fundens salútem fíliis Transverberáto péctore. Te natiónum Praesides Honóre tollant público, Colant magístri, iúdices, Leges et artes éxprimant. Submíssa regum fúlgeant Tibi dicáta insígnia: Mitíque sceptro pátriam Domósque subde cívium. Iesu tibi sit glória, Qui sceptra mundi témperas, Cum Patre, et almo Spíritu, In sempitérna saecula. Amen. V. Data est mihi omnis potéstas. R. In cælo et in terra.	Chapter Hymn Verse {from the Proper of Saints} Col 1:12-13 Brethren: We give 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. R. Thanks be to God. Hymn To thee, O Prince of all that be, Thou Christ, O King eternally; O Framer of the mind and heart, Our one true Judge we say thou art. The wicked protest, wail and cry, Christ Jesus’ reign they would deny; Rejoice we at thy glorious name, Thou Highest King we do proclaim. O Christ! The Source of all our peace, Make all our sinful thoughts to cease; And still in us our loves misplaced, As Thy one sheepfold be we embraced. For this, hanging on cruel tree, With arms outstretched, for all to see; His heart is pierced by soldier’s spear, Revealing burning love most dear. From this the altar of the tree Thy blood flows forth from Calvary; As wine to us it doth appear, To thine own heart it draws us near. Thou Governor of all that be, May all thy creatures honour thee; All those who rule, O Lord renew! Source of all precepts just and true. To regal glory, all submit, All crowns and honours we do remit;— To thy scepter—so sweet and mild! Submit we as a little child. All glory be, Jesu, to thee, Thy scepter over all that be; All glory, as is ever meet, To Father and to Paraclete. Amen. V. Given to me is all power. R. In heaven and in earth.
Canticum Magnificat {Antiphona ex Proprio Sanctorum} Ant. Dabit illi * Dóminus Deus sedem David, patris eius: et regnábit in domo Iacob in ætérnum, et regni eius non erit finis, allelúia. (Canticum B. Mariæ Virginis * Luc. 1:46-55) 1:46 Magníficat ✝ * ánima mea Dóminum. 1:47 Et exsultávit spíritus meus: * in Deo, salutári meo. 1:48 Quia respéxit humilitátem ancíllæ suæ: * ecce enim ex hoc beátam me dicent omnes generatiónes. 1:49 Quia fecit mihi magna, qui potens est: * et sanctum nomen eius. 1:50 Et misericórdia eius, a progénie in progénies: * timéntibus eum. 1:51 Fecit poténtiam in bráchio suo: * dispérsit supérbos mente cordis sui. 1:52 Depósuit poténtes de sede: * et exaltávit húmiles. 1:53 Esuriéntes implévit bonis: * et dívites dimísit inánes. 1:54 Suscépit Israël púerum suum: * recordátus misericórdiæ suæ. 1:55 Sicut locútus est ad patres nostros: * Ábraham, et sémini eius in sæcula. V. Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto. R. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, * et in sǽcula sæculórum. Amen. Ant. Dabit illi * Dóminus Deus sedem David, patris eius: et regnábit in domo Iacob in ætérnum, et regni eius non erit finis, allelúia.	Canticum Magnificat {Antiphon from the Proper of Saints} Ant. The Lord God * shall give unto him the throne of David, his father: and he shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end, alleluia. (Canticle of the Blessed Virgin * Luke 1:46-55) 1:46 My soul ✝ * doth magnify the Lord. 1:47 And my spirit hath rejoiced * in God my Saviour. 1:48 Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid; * for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. 1:49 Because he that is mighty, hath done great things to me; * and holy is his name. 1:50 And his mercy is from generation unto generations, * to them that fear him. 1:51 He hath shewed might in his arm: * he hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. 1:52 He hath put down the mighty from their seat, * and hath exalted the humble. 1:53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; * and the rich he hath sent empty away. 1:54 He hath received Israel his servant, * being mindful of his mercy: 1:55 As he spoke to our fathers, * to Abraham and to his seed for ever. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost. R. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Ant. The Lord God * shall give unto him the throne of David, his father: and he shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end, alleluia.
Preces Feriales{omittitur}	Weekday intercessions{omit}
Oratio {ex Proprio Sanctorum} V. Dómine, exáudi oratiónem meam. R. Et clamor meus ad te véniat. Orémus Omnipotens sempitérne Deus, qui in dilécto Fílio tuo, universórum Rege, ómnia instauráre voluísti: concéde propítius; ut cunctæ famíliæ Géntium, peccáti vúlnere disgregátæ, eius suavíssimo subdántur império: Qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum. R. Amen.	Prayer {from the Proper of Saints} V. O Lord, hear my prayer. R. And let my cry come unto thee. Let us pray Almighty and everlasting God, who in thy beloved Son, the King of the whole world, hast willed to restore all things: mercifully grant that all the families of nations, now kept apart by the wound of sin, may be brought under the sweet yoke of his rule. Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen. R. Amen
Conclusio V. Dómine, exáudi oratiónem meam. R. Et clamor meus ad te véniat. V. Benedicámus Dómino. R. Deo grátias. V. Fidélium ánimæ per misericórdiam Dei requiéscant in pace. R. Amen.	Finish V. O Lord, hear my prayer. R. And let my cry come unto thee. V. Let us bless the Lord. R. Thanks be to God. V. May the souls of the faithful, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

First Major Text of Benedict XVI Ratzinger following resignation On Catholic Faith, Missions, and World's Religions

Many thanks to rorate-caeli for this full translation of Benedict XVI's first important text since his resignation:

Message of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

for the naming of the reformed Aula Magna

of the Pontifical Urbaniana University

October 21, 2014 

I would like to in the first place express my heartfelt thanks to the Rector and to the academic authorities of the Pontifical Urbaniana University, to the staff and to the student representatives, for their proposal to name the rebuilt Aula Magna [Main Hall] in my honor. I would like to thank in a special way the Chancellor of the University, Cardinal Fernando Filoni, for having organized this initiative. It is a cause of great joy for me to be able in this way to be always present amidst the work of the Pontifical Urbaniana University.

In the course of a number of visits that I was able to make as the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, I was always struck by the atmosphere of universality in the very air that one breathes in this University, where young men and women coming from practically all the countries of the world are preparing for service to the Gospel in the whole world of today. I also see today facing me in this lecture hall, a community formed by so many young people, a community that makes us see in a living way the stupendous reality of the Catholic Church.

(To read the entire text click on the link above.)

Some background to the Synod..

The following is avaliable on youtube and gives some useful background to the Kasper proposals:

Latest News From Fisher House, University of Cambridge Chaplaincy

I've just received this update from Dr. Jonathan D. Mar of Cambridge University's Catholic Chaplaincy. Many thanks for this!

Regular Mass schedule:
Low Mass every Sunday (during term), 8am, Fisher House Catholic 
Chaplaincy

Special Masses (Michaelmas Term 2014):
1) Sunday 2nd November 2014, 8am, Missa Cantata External Solemnity of All Saints, Fisher House Catholic Chaplaincy

2) Monday 17th November 2014, 6:30pm, High Mass of Requiem for Monsignor 
Alfred Newman Gilbey (Fisher House Chaplain, 1932-65), Fisher House 
Catholic Chaplaincy, followed by a drinks reception.

The Truth About This Crisis

I refer you to the astonishing article below, written by Pat Archbold in Friday's National Catholic Register. It makes painful reading.


by Pat Archbold Friday, October 10, 2014 

I think it is high time that we talk frankly about what is truly happening in the Church. It is quite probable that we are approaching the denouement of this horrible play, a century in the telling, in which the Synod on the Family, currently playing out in Rome, may be the opening scene of the final act.
We endlessly speculate and debate over who is with Cardinal Kasper and who is not, who will stand up and who will be quiet, and where does doctrine end and pastoral praxis begin.  Meanwhile, a “dark and false Church,” as foreseen by Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich, which has grown within the Church for a century, continues its unhindered progress.

Read more: http://www.ncregister.com/blog/pat-archbold/the-truth-about-this-crisis#ixzz3Fx3rvcbL

Missa Cantata at St Benet's Minster, Beccles, on October 11th.

There will be a Missa Cantata, at St Benet's Minster, Beccles, Suffolk, celebrated by Fr Frost of St Pancras, Ipswich, this coming Saturday, October 11th at 11 am. The Mass  will be celebrated for the intentions of Mr Harry Trust and those attending are invited to luncheon afterwards!

The address of St Benet's Minster is 2 Grange Road, Beccles, Suffolk. NR34 9NR.

Situated in the picturesque Waveney Valley, the parish was established towards the end of the 19th century by the Benedictine monks of Downside Abbey, near Bath in Somerset. It is considered to be one of the most spectacular Catholic Churches in Suffolk.

Assistant rep for diocese

I am pleased to announce that Emma Ingram of Norwich has been appointed the Assistant LMS Rep for East Anglia. I am sure that she will be able to perform sterling work in supporting those who are attached to the old rite in Norfolk. Congratulations to Emma!

First Friday Masses at Norwich

More good news from Norwich. There will be an Old Rite Mass said at St. John the Baptist Cathedral, Norwich on the 1st Friday of each month at 6 pm. Mass will be preceded by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction. The first of these Masses will be this Friday, October 3rd. Once more we thank our bishop, Alan Hopes, for his great generosity.

Pontifical High Mass in Norwich

It is with great pleasure that I can announce the joyous news that the Bishop of East Anglia, Alan Hopes, will celebrate a Pontifical High Mass (Old Rite) on November 1st, at 12-noon. The Mass will take place at St John the Baptist Cathedral. I would urge as many of you as possible to support this event.