Dedication of the Archbasilica of Our Saviour

Tuesday 9 November 2010

IN DEDICATIONE ARCHBASILICÆ
SSMI. SALVATORIS
Dedication of the Archbasilica of Our Holy Saviour
2nd Class, White

The Rites whereof the Church of Rome maketh use for the hallowing of Churches and Altars were first instituted by the blessed Pope Sylvester I. From the very time of the Apostles there had been places set apart for God, where assemblies took place upon the first day of every week, and where the Christians were used to pray, to hear the word of God, and to receive the Eucharist, which places were by some called Oratories and by others Churches. But these places were not dedicated with so solemn a form nor did they set up therein an Altar for a pillar, and pour chrism thereon, for a figure of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is himself our Altar, our Victim and our Priest.

But when the Emperor Constantine had by the Sacrament of Baptism received health both of body and soul, then first in a law by him published was it allowed to the Christians throughout the whole world to build Churches, to the which holy building he exhorted them by his example as well as by his decree. He dedicated his own Lateran Palace a Church to the Saviour, and built hard by it a Cathedral in the name of St. John the Baptist, upon the place where he had been baptized by holy Sylvester, and cleansed from his leprosy. This Cathedral was hallowed by the said Pope upon the 9th day of November. It is this consecration, the memory of which is still celebrated upon this day, the first whereon the public consecration of a Church ever took place in Rome, and the image of the Saviour was seen by the Roman people painted upon a wall.

The Blessed Sylvester afterwards decreed, when he was consecrating the Altar of the Prince of the Apostles, that altars were thenceforward to be made of stone only, but notwithstanding this the Lateran Basilica hath the altar made of wood. This is not surprising. From St. Peter to Sylvester the Popes had not been able, by reason of persecutions, to abide fixedly in one place, and they celebrated the Holy Liturgy in cellars, in burying-places, in the houses of godly persons, or wherever need drave them, upon a wooden altar made like an empty box. When peace was given to the Church, holy Sylvester took this box, and to do honour to the Prince of the Apostles, who is said to have offered sacrifice thereon, and to the other Popes who thereon had been used to execute the mystery even unto that time, set it in the first Church, even the Lateran, and ordained that no one but the Bishop of Rome should celebrate the Liturgy thereon for all time coming. The original Lateran Basilica, cast down and destroyed by fires, pillage, and earthquakes, and renewed by the constant care of the Popes, was at last rebuilt afresh, and solemnly consecrated by Pope Benedict XIII, a Friar Preacher, upon the 28th day of April, in the year 1726, the memory of which Festival he ordained to be kept upon this day. In the year 1884 Leo XIII took in hand a work which had received the sanction of his predecessor Pius IX. The great sanctuary, the walls of which were giving way with age, was lengthened and widened, a task of immense labour. The ancient mosaic had been renewed previously in several places ; it was not restored according to the original design, and transferred to the new apse, the embellishment of which was carried out with great magnificence. The transept was redecorated, and its ceiling and woodwork repaired. A sacristy, a residence for the canons, and a portico connecting with the Baptistery of Constantine, were added to the existing buildings.

-- from the Roman Breviary (1911)

Link:

• Catholic Encyclopædia (New Advent)
• The Cross Reference: Scripture Reflection
• What Does the Prayer Really Say? (new!)
  

Note: the Archbasilica of Our Saviour is most commonly referred to as "St John Lateran" and is the Holy Father's official ecclesiastical seat as Bishop of Rome.

(image: Wikipedia)

St. Luke the Evangelist

Monday 18 October 2010

S. LUCAE EVANGLISTAE
St Luke, Evangelist
2nd Class, Red

Oremus

Interveniat pro nobis, quaesumus Domine, sanctus tuus Lucas Evangelista: qui crucis mortificationem jugiter in suo corpore, pro tui nominis honore portavit.

Let us pray

O Lord, we beseech thee, that there may plead for us thine holy Evangelist Luke, who, for thy Name's sake, bore about always in his body the death of the Cross.

Link:

• Gregorian Chant Propers
  

(image: St Luke by Guercino)

Our Lady of the Rosary

Thursday 7 October 2010

B. MARIAE VIRGINIS A ROSARIO
Our Lady of the Rosary
also called Our Lady of Victory
2nd Class, White
(commem. of Pope St Mark)

Oremus.

Deus, cujus Unigénitus per vitam, mortem et resurrectiónem suam nobis salútis ætérnæ præmia comparávit : concéde, quæsumus ; ut hæc mystéria sanctíssimo beátæ Maríæ Vírginis Rosário recoléntes, et imitémur quod cóntinent, et quod promíttunt, assequámur. Per eúmdem Dóminum.

Let us pray.

O God, whose only-begotten Son, by his life, death, and resurrection, hath purchased for us the rewards of eternal salvation : grant, we beseech thee ; that by meditating upon these mysteries of the most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may both imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise. Through the same.

~~*~~

In 1571 Pope St Pius V instituted "Our Lady of Victory" as an annual feast to commemorate the victory of Lepanto. The victory was attributed to Our Lady, as a rosary procession was offered on that day in St. Peter's Square in Rome for the success of the mission of the Holy League to hold back Muslim forces from overrunning Western Europe. In 1573, Pope Gregory XIII changed the title of this feast-day to "Feast of the Holy Rosary". This feast was extended by Pope Clement XII to the whole of the Latin Rite, inserting it into the Roman Catholic calendar of saints in 1716, and assigning it to the first Sunday in October. Pope St Pius X changed the date to 7 October in 1913.


(second image: the Battle of Lepanto, Yogesh Brahmbhatt)

The Seven Sorrows of the B.V.M.

Wednesday 15 September 2010

SEPTEM DOLORUM B.M.V.
Seven Sorrows of the B.V.M.
2nd Class, White
(commem. of St Nicomedis)

Oremus.

Deus, in cujus passióne, secúndum Simeónis prophetíam, dulcíssimam ánimam gloriósae Vírginis et Matris Maríæ dolóris gládius pertransívit : concéde propítius ; ut, qui dolóres ejus venerándo recólimus, passiónis tuæ efféctum felícem consequámur : Qui vivis et regnas.

Let us pray.

O God, in whose passion the sword of grief did pierce the gentle soul of the glorious Virgin Mary, thy Mother, that so might be fulfilled the word of thy Prophet Simeon : mercifully grant that we who here do call to mind her sorrows ; may be fulfilled with the blessed fruits of thy passion. Who livest and reignest with the Father.

(image: breviary.net)

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Tuesday 14 September 2010

IN EXALTATIONE S. CRUCIS
Exaltation of the Holy Cross
2nd Class, Red

Oremus.

Deus, qui nos hodiérna die Exaltatiónis sanctæ Crucis ánnua solemnitáte lætíficas : præsta, quæsumus ; ut, cujus mystérium in terra cognóvimus, ejus redemptiónis præmia in cælo mereámur. Per eúmdem Dóminum.

Let us pray.

O God, who dost gladden us upon this day by the festival of the Exaltation of the holy Cross : grant that we who have acknowledged the mystery of redemption here on earth, may rejoice in the everlasting fruits thereof in heaven. Through.

Link:

• Fr Goffine's The Church's Year
• Gregorian Chant propers
• Clerical Reform: Bl. John Henry Card. Newman, "The Sign of the Cross"
• Vultus Christi: The Exaltation of the Glorious Cross
• Sub tuum: The Exaltation of the Holy Cross
• WDTPRS: the Exaltation of the Cross and Basil
  

(image: Breviarium Romanum blog)

The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Wednesday 8 September 2010

IN NATIVITATE B. MARIAE VIRGINIS
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
2nd Class, White
(commem. of St Adrian)

Oremus.

Fámulis tuis, quæsumus, Dómine, cæléstis grátiæ munus impertíre : ut, quibus beátæ Vírginis partus éxstitit salútis exórdium ; Nativitátis ejus votíva solémnitas pacis tríbuat increméntum. Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.

Grant unto us thy servants, we beseech thee, O Lord, the gift of thy heavenly grace, unto whom thou didst give the first sight of a Saviour as the offspring of a Blessed Virgin, and grant that this Feast, which they keep in honour of the same Virgin, may avail them unto the increase of peace. Through.

Link:

• Gregorian Chant propers
• Sub tuum: Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
  

(image: The Madonna by Sandro Botticelli, Florence, Italy)

St. Joachim

Monday 16 August 2010

S. JOACHIM CONFESSORIS, PATRIS B.M.V.
St Joachim, Father of the B.V.M.
2nd Class, White


Oremus

Deus, qui prae omnibus Sanctis tuis beatum Joachim Genitricis Filii tui patrem esse voluisti: concede, quaesumus: ut cujus festa veneramur, ejus quoque perpetuo patrocinia sentiamus.

Let us pray

O God, Who, out of all thy Saints, didst choose blessed Joachim to be the father of the mother of thy Son, mercifully grant that as we hold his Festival in honour, we may ever feel his protection.

(image: Bondone, Legend of St Joachim (Padua))

St Lawrence

Tuesday 10 August 2010

S. LAURENTII, Martyris
St Lawrence, Deacon & Martyr
2nd Class, Red

Oremus.

Da nobis, quæsumus, omnípotens Deus, vitiórum nostrórum flammas exstínguere : qui beáto Lauréntio tribuísti tormentórum suórum incéndia superáre. Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.

O Almighty God, who didst give unto blessed Lawrence power to be more than conqueror in his fiery torment : grant unto us, we beseech thee, the power to quench the flames of our sinful lusts. Through.

Link:

• Clerical Reform: Feast of St Lawrence

(image: Martyrdom of St Lawrence)

Transfiguration of Our Lord

Friday 6 August 2010

IN TRANSFIGURATIONE D.N. IESU CHRISTI
Transfiguration of Our Lord
2nd Class, White

Oremus.

Deus, qui fídei sacraménta in Unigéniti tui gloriósa Transfiguratióne patrum testimónio roborásti, et adoptiónem filiórum perféctam, voce delápsa in nube lúcida, mirabíliter præsignásti : concéde propítius ; ut ipsíus Regis glóriæ nos coherédes effícias, et ejúsdem glóriæ tríbuas esse consórtes. Per eúmdem Dóminum.

Let us pray.

O God, who in the glorious Transfiguration of thine only-begotten Son, didst confirm the mysteries of the Faith by the testimony of the fathers, and in the voice proceeding from the shining cloud didst wondrously foreshew the perfect adoption of all thy sons : mercifully grant, that we, being made fellow-heirs of Christ himself the King of glory, may attain to the partaking of the same his glory in heaven. Through the same.

Links:

• Gregorian Chant propers
• Abbot Cuthbert Johnson: Reflections on the Transfiguration
• St Augustine: Sermon 51 (on the Transfiguration)

St Anne

Monday 26 July 2010

S. ANNAE, MATRIS B.M.V.
St Anne, Mother of the B.V.M.
2nd Class, White


Oremus

Deus, qui beatae Annae gratiam conferre dignatus es, ut Genitricis unigeniti Filii tui mater effici mereretur: concede propitius; ut cujus solemnia celebramus, ejus apud te patrociniis adjuvemur.

Let us pray

O God, Who wast pleased to give unto Blessed Anne such grace that she earned to become the mother of the mother of thine Only-begotten Son, mercifully grant that, now that she is with thee, we who keep her Feast - day may be holpen by her prayers.

(image: Hans Baldung Grien, National Gallery of Art, Washington DC)

Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Friday 2 July 2010

IN VISITATIONE B. MARIAE VIRGINIS
Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
2nd Class, White
(commem. of Ss. Processus & Martinian)

Oremus.

Fámulis tuis, quæsumus, Dómine, cæléstis grátiæ munus impertíre : ut, quibus beátæ Vírginis partus éxstitit salútis exórdium ; Visitatiónis ejus votíva solémnitas, pacis tríbuat increméntum. Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.

We beseech thee, O Lord, pour into our hearts the abundance of thy heavenly grace : that like as the child-bearing of the Blessed Virgin Mary was unto us thy servants the beginning of salvation, so the devout observance of her Visitation may avail for the increasing of our peace. Through.

Link:

• Fr Goffine's The Church's Year
• A Catholic Life
  

Vigil of Saints Peter and Paul

Monday 28 June 2010

VIGILIA SS. PETRI ET PAULI, APOSTOLORUM
Vigil of Ss. Peter & Paul, Apostles
2nd Class, Violet
(Lauds II; 1st Vespers of Ss. Peter and Paul)


Oremus

Praesta, quaesumus, omnípotens Deus; ut nullis nos permíttas perturbatiónibus cóncuti; quos in apostólicæ confessiónis petra solidásti. Per Dñm.

Let us Pray

We beseech Thee, almigghty God, that Thou suffer no disturbance to shake us, whom Thou hast founded on the rock of the confession of Thine Apostles. Through...
(image: Ss. Peter and Paul by El Greco)

Vigil of St John the Baptist

Wednesday 23 June 2010

IN VIGILIA S. IOANNIS BAPTISTAE
Vigil of the Nativity of St John Baptist
2nd Class, Violet
(Lauds II; 1st Vespers of Nativity of St John Bapt.)

Oremus.

Præsta, quæsumus, omnípotens Deus : ut família tua per viam salútis incédat ; et beáti Joánnis Præcursóris hortaménta sectándo, ad eum quem prædíxit, secúra pervéniat, Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum, Fílium tuum : Qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sæcula sæculórum.

R. Amen.

Let us pray.

Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that thy family may go forward by the path of salvation, and, following the preaching of blessed John the Fore-Runner, may come in peace to him, whom he foretold, even Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord, who with thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth, God, for ever and ever.

R. Amen.

(image: Angel appears to Zacharias)

Queenship of Mary

Monday 31 May 2010

BEATAE MARIAE VIRGINIS REGINA
Queenship of Mary
2nd Class, White
(commem. of St Petronilla)

Oremus

Concede nobis, quaesumus, Domine: ut, qui solemnitatem beatae Maria; Virginis Reginae nostrae celebramus; ejus muniti praesidio, pacem in present et gloriam in futuro consequi mereamur.

Let us pray

Grant, O Lord, we beseech Thee, to those who are celebrating this solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary our Queen: that safe in her protection we may deserve to enjoy present peace and future glory.

Saints Philip and James

Tuesday 11 May 2010

SS. PHILIPPI ET IACOBI, Apostolorum
Ss. Philip & James, Apostles
2nd Class Red

or, Rogation Mass,
2nd Class, Violet

Oremus.

Deus, qui nos ánnua Apostolórum tuórum Philíppi et Jacóbi solemnitáte lætíficas : præsta, quæsumus ; ut, quorum gaudémus méritis, instruámur exémplis. Per Dóminum nostrum.

Let us pray.

O God, who dost every year gladden us by the solemn memorial of thine Apostles Philip and James, grant us grace, we beseech thee, not only to rejoice because of their worthy deeds, but also to tread in their footsteps. Through.

(image source unknown)

Anniversary of the Coronation of the Supreme Pontiff

Saturday 24 April 2010

IN ANNIVERSARIO CREATIONIS ET CORONATIONIS PAPAE
Anniversary of the Coronation of the Supreme Pontiff, Benedict XVI
2nd Class, White
(commem. of St Fidelis;
Vespers of 3rd Sunday after Easter)

Oremus

Deus, omnium fidelium pastor et rector, famulum tuum Benedictum, quem pastorem Ecclesiae tuae praeesse voluísti, propitius respice: da ei, quaesumus, verbo et exemplo, quibus praeest, proficere; ut ad vitam, una cum grege sibi credito, perveniat sempiternam. Per Dominum nostrum.

St Matthias, Apostle

Wednesday 24 February 2010

S. MATTHIAE APOSTOLI
St Matthias, Apostle
2nd Class, Red
(Lauds II;
commem. of Ember Wednesday)

Oremus.

Deus, qui beátum Matthíam Apostolórum tuórum collégio sociásti : tríbue, quæsumus ; ut ejus interventióne, tuæ circa nos pietátis semper víscera sentiámus. Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.


O God, who didst join blessed Matthias to the company of thine Apostles, grant, we beseech thee, that by his intercession we may ever be aware of the depths of thy goodness round about us. Through.

~~*~~

Matthias, one of the seventy-two disciples of Jesus, was chosen as Apostle in the place of Judas. St Matthias preached the Gospel for more than thirty years in Judaea, Cappadocia, Egypt and Ethiopia. In AD 80, he was stoned at Jerusalem, and then beheaded.

Chair of St. Peter

Monday 22 February 2010

IN CATHEDRA S. PETRI, AP.
Chair of St Peter, Apostle
2nd Class, White
(Lauds II;
commem. of feria at Lauds and Vespers)


Oremus.

Deus, qui beáto Petro Apóstolo tuo, collátis clávibus regni cæléstis, ligándi atque solvéndi pontifícium tradidísti ; concéde ; ut intercessiónis ejus auxílio, a peccatórum nostrórum néxibus liberémur : Qui vivis.

Let us pray.

O God, who didst bestow upon thy blessed Apostle Peter the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and didst appoint unto him the priesthood for the binding and loosing of sin : grant, we beseech thee ; that by the help of his intercession we may be delivered from the bonds of all our iniquities. Who livest and reignest with the Father.

Link:

• Gregorian Chant Propers
  

(image: breviary.net)

Purification of the B.V.M.

Tuesday 2 February 2010

IN PURIFICATIONÆ BEATÆ MARIÆ VIRGINÆ
Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary
2nd Class, White

Oremus:

Omnípotens sempitérne Deus, majestátem tuam súpplices exorámus : ut, sicut unigénitus Fílius tuus hodiérna die cum nostræ carnis substántia in templo est præsentátus ; ita nos fácias purificátis tibi méntibus præsentári. Per eúmdem Dóminum.

Let us pray:

Almighty and everliving God, we humbly beseech thy Majesty : that, as thy only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple in substance of our flesh ; so we may be presented unto thee with pure and clean hearts, by the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Who.

~~*~~

The Feast of Candlemas, which derives its origin from the local observance of Jerusalem, marks the end of the Feasts included in the Christmas cycle of the liturgy. It is perhaps the most ancient festival of Our Lady. It commemorates, however, not only the obedience of the Blessed Virgin to the Mosaic Law in going to Jerusalem forty days after the birth of her Child and making the accustomed offerings, but also the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple, and the meeting of the Infant Jesus with the old man Simeon -- the Occursus Domini, as the Feast was originally termed. This is the principal theme of the liturgy on this day: Jesus is taken into the Temple "to present Him to the Lord." So the Lord comes to His own Temple, and is met by the aged Simeon with joy and recognition.

The procession on this day is one of the most picturesque features of the Western liturgy. The blessing and distribution of candles, to be carried lighted in procession, preceded the Mass today -- a symbolic presentation of the truth proclaimed in the Canticle of Simeon: Our Lord is the "Light for the revelation of the Gentiles." The anthems sung during this procession, eastern in origin, well express the joy and gladness of this happy festival, and the honor and praise we give to our Blessed Lady and her Divine Son by this devout observance.

The Blessing may not take place without being followed by the Procession, nor the Procession without being preceded by the Blessing. At the Mass which follows the Procession there are no Preparatory Prayers. Lit candles are held during the Procession and the Gospel and from the Sanctus to the end of Communion.

Links:

• Fr Goffine's The Church's Year (on the Purification)
• What Does the Prayer Really Say? (2006)
  
• What Does the Prayer Really Say? (2009)
  
• Gregorian Chant Propers (for Candlemass)
• The New Liturgical Movement
• chantblog
• Fr Goffine's The Church's Year (on St Blase)

(image: breviary.net)

Motherhood of the B.V.M.

Monday 11 October 2010

MATERNITATIS B.M.V.
Motherhood of the Blessed Virgin Mary
2nd Class, White


Oremus

Deus qui Beatae Mariae Virginis utero Verbum tuum Angelo nuntiante carnem suscipere voluisti: praesta supplicibus tuis; ut qui vere eam Genitricem Dei credimus, eius apud te intercessionibus adjuvem

Let us pray

O God, who didst will that, at the announcement of an Angel, thy Word should take flesh in the womb of the blessed Virgin Mary, grant to us thy suppliants, that we who believe her to be truly the mother of God may be helped by her intercession with thee

(image: Albazinian Wonderworking Icon of the Mother of God)