Comaprison of Prayers - 17th Sunday "Per Annum"

Translations are ready for the weekend.

Collect (Opening Prayer)

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Protéctor in te sperántium, Deus, sine quo nihil est válidum, nihil sanctum, multíplica super nos misericórdiam tuam, ut, te rectóre, te duce, sic bonis transeúntibus nunc utámur, ut iam possímus inhærére mansúris.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, per ómnia saécula sæculórum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. God our Father and protector, without you nothing is holy, nothing has value. Guide us to everlasting life by helping us to use wisely the blessings you have given to the world.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Literal Translation
Let us pray. O God, Protector of those who hope in You, without Whom nothing is powerful, nothing is holy, increase Your mercy upon us, so that, with You as Ruler, with You as Leader, we may presently use the goods which pass away, so that we will indeed be able to cling to those which will last.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Prayer Over the Gifts

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Súscipe, quaésumus, Dómine, múnera, quæ tibi de tua largitáte deférimus, ut hæc sacrosáncta mystéria, grátiæ tuæ operánte virtúte, et præséntis vitæ nos conversatióne sanctíficent, et ad gáudia sempitérna perdúcant.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Lord, receive these offerings chosen from your many gifts. May these mysteries make us holy and lead us to eternal joy.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.

Literal Translation
Receive, we beseech You, O Lord, these offerings, which we bring to You from Your abundance, so that these most sacred Mysteries, by the powerful working of Your grace, may both sanctify us by conversion of this present life, and may lead us to the everlasting joys.
Through Christ our Lord.

Post-Communion Prayer

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Súmpsimus, Dómine, divínum sacraméntum, passiónis Fílii tui memoriále perpétuum; tríbue, quaésumus, ut ad nostram salútem hoc munus profíciat, quod ineffábili nobis caritáte ipse donávit.
Qui vivit et regnat in saécula sæculórum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. Lord, we receive the sacrament which celebrates the memory of the death and resurrection of Christ your Son. May this gift bring us closer to our eternal salvation.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Literal Translation
Let us pray. O Lord, we have taken part in this Divine Sacrament, the perpetual Memorial of the Passion of Your Son, grant we beseech You, that this Gift, which He Himself has given to us in His ineffable love, may aid our salvation.
He Who lives and reigns forever and ever.

Two Pro-Life Videos

Way back in April, The American Papist posted these two videos, and I thought, now that I have my own blog, I would also post them here.
His original posts are at these two links:
Partial-Birth Abortion "Demo"
and
Rap video

The first is a doctor giving "demonstration" (using a doll) to a group of studens on what actually happens in a partial-birth abortion. Even though many know, it somehow drives home the point seeing it this way. The video in his link still works, so you can watch the video there.

The rap video "Can I Live?" is based on rapper Nick Cannon's true life story where his mother seriously considered aborting him, but decided to not to. It is well done and the video is very powerful. Apparently this was a rather popular video on B.E.T. as well.

EDIT - Links to the rap video have been removed. Nick Cannon's website no longer exists and any links to that bring up links to extremely inappropriate sites instead.

These are definitely videos to "pass around."

Embryonic Stem Cell Research

I found two excellent articles regarding religion and embryonic stem cell research, they are definitely worth the read.

Fr. Tadeusz Pacholczyk speaks about "imposing our beliefs"

and

The Blog "Cosmos-Liturgy-Sex" talks about how Germany may have learned something from its past mistakes.

Happy Name's Day To Me

Today is my name's day, the feast of Saint Christopher. (In Italy, Name's Days used to be a bigger occasion than one's actual birthday.) (Remember, we have name's days, Saints have feast days. Hopefully one day we will all have our own feast days as well.)

Of course I often get the reply, "But today is Saint James' feast day, Saint Christopher is no longer a Saint." Yes, it is Saint James the Greater's feast day too. No, today is also Saint Christopher's commemoration as well. As with many of the changes after the Council, many are ignorant of what happened. It is true that Saint Christopher was removed from the liturgical calendar, but then, several other Saints were too, and a couple of Our Lady's titles as well. So, these are not actually celebrated in the liturgy, but they are still considered Saints and valid titles.

In fact, Saint Christopher is still listed in the most current 2004 Roman Martyrology. While historians can't prove the accuracy of his legend, they do still believe that there was a Martyr named Saint Christopher. Sadly, that means they have drastically shortened his entry in the Martyrology to:

"2. In Lycia, sancti Christophori, martyris."

"2. In Lycia, Saint Christopher, Martyr."

Please note: he is even listed as #2, right after Saint James the Greater, Apostle, whose feast would "trump" a memorial or a commemoration anyway.

The older Roman Martyrology had a bit more:

"In Lycia sancti Christophori Mártyris, qui, sub Decio, virgis férreis attritus, et a flammæ æstuántis incendio superna Christi virtúte servatus, ad ultimum, sagittárum ictibus confossus, cápitis obtruncatióne martyrium complevit."

"In Lycia, in the time of Decius, St. Christopher, martyr. Being scourged with iron rods, cast into the flames, from which he was saved by the power of Christ, and finally transfixed with arrows and beheaded, he completed his martyrdom."

I prefer the full legend myself:

"An ancient tradition concerning St. Christophorus relates: He was born in the land of Canaan, and was named Reprobus, that is Reprobate, for he was a barbarous heathen. In stature and strength he was a giant. Thinking no one his like in bodily vigor, he resolved to go forth in search of the mightiest master and serve him. In his wanderings, he met with a king who was praised as the most valorous man on earth. To him he offered his services and was accepted. The king was proud of his giant and kept him near his person. One day a minstrel visited the king's castle, and among the ballads he sung before the court was one on the power of Satan. At the mention of this name the king blessed himself, making the Sign of the Cross. Reprobus, wondering, asked him why he did that. The king replied: "When I make the sign, Satan has no power over me." Christophorus rejoined: "So thou fearest the power of Satan? Then he is mightier than thou, and I shall set and serve him."
Setting forth to seek Satan, he came into the wilderness. One dark night he met a band of wild fellows riding through the forest. It was Satan and his escort. Christophorus bravely accosted him, saying he wished to serve him. He was accepted. But soon he was convinced that his new master was not the mightiest on earth. For, one day, whilst approaching a crucifix by the wayside, Satan quickly took to flight, and the Saint asked him for the reason. Satan replied "That is the image of my greatest enemy, Who conquered me on the Cross. From Him I always flee." When Saint Christopher heard this, he left the devil, and went in search of Christ.

In his wanderings, he one day came to a hut hidden in the forest. At its door sat a venerable old man. The Saint addressed him, and in the course of the conversation. that ensued the old man told him that he was a hermit, and had left the world to serve Christ, the Lord of Heaven and earth.

"Thou art my man," cried the Saint! "Christ is He Whom I seek, for He is the strongest and the mightiest. Tell me where I can find Him."

The hermit then began instructing the giant about God and the Redeemer, and concluded by saying: "He who would serve Christ must offer himself entirely to Him, and do and suffer everything for His sake. His reward for this will be immense and will last forever." Christophorus now asked the hermit to allow him to remain, and to continue to instruct him. The hermit consented. When he was fully instructed, the hermit Baptized him. After his Baptism, a great change came over the giant. No longer proud of his great size and strength, he became meek and humble, and asked the hermit to assign to him some task by which he might serve God, his master. "For," said he, "I can not pray and fast; therefore I must serve God in some other way."

The hermit led him to a broad and swift river nearby, and said: "Here build thyself a hut, and when wanderers wish to cross the river, carry them over for the love of Christ." For there was no bridge across the river. Henceforth, day and night, whenever he was called, Reprobus faithfully performed the task assigned to him. One night he heard a child calling to be carried across the river. Quickly he rose, placed the child on his stout shoulder, took his staff and walked into the mighty current.

Arrived in midstream, the water rose higher and higher, and the child became heavier and heavier. "O child," he cried, "how heavy thou art! It seems I bear the weight of the world on my shoulder." And the child replied, "Right thou art. Thou bearest not only the world, but the Creator of Heaven and earth. I am Jesus Christ, thy King and Lord, and henceforth thou shalt be called Christophorus, that is, Christ-bearer. Arrived on yonder shore, plant thy staff in the ground, and in token of My power and might tomorrow it shall bear leaves and blossoms."

And the child disappeared. On reaching the other shore, Christophorus stuck his staff into the ground, and behold, it budded forth leaves and blossoms. Then, kneeling, he promised the Lord to serve Him ever faithfully. He kept his promise, and thenceforth became a zealous preacher of the Gospel, converting many to the Faith. On his missionary peregrinations he came also to Lycia, where, after his first sermon, eighteen thousand heathens requested Baptism.

When Emperor Decius heard of this, he sent a company of four hundred soldiers to capture Christophorus. To these he preached so convincingly, that they all asked for Baptism. Decius became enraged thereat and had him cast into prison. There he first treated him with great kindness, and surrounded him with every luxury to tempt him to sin, but in vain. Then he ordered him to be tortured in the most cruel manner, until he should deny the Faith. He was scourged, placed on plates of hot iron, boiling oil was poured over and fire was lighted under him. When all these torments did not accomplish their purpose, the soldiers were ordered to shoot him with arrows. This, too, having no effect, he was beheaded, on July 25, 254.

Two great Saints refer to the wonderful achievements of St. Christophorus. St. Ambrose mentions that this Saint converted forty-eight thousand souls to Christ. St. Vincent Ferrer declares that when the plague devastated Valencia, its destructive course was stayed through the intercession of St. Christophorus."

I find Fr. Z's comments on Saint Christopher rather amusing since at our parish I am often addressed by the servers as "Mister Chris."

Comparison of Prayers - 16th Week "Per Annum"

I am experimenting with a file hosting service at filelodge.com, so I can give you a link to the comparison of prayers for this week in a MS Word format which is a bit better because I have written it in a side by side translation. It certainly shows how ICEL really cut corners. So click here for actual document:

Comparison of Prayers - 16th Week Per Annum

(NOTE: It will probably take you to another page, just click the "click here" to see to the file. Not sure how to bypass that page. Sorry for the inconvenience.)

EDIT - Sorry, there is a pop-up ad when you first click on it, and for some reason I am not able to get to the document from a different computer. So, I'll have to look into what is going on.

EDIT 2 - Apparently the storage device my files are on is under maintenance. So, the above link will not be working for awhile. Sorry, looks like the experiment is a dud. I guess that is what you get for free service.

EDIT 3 - Experiment is a failure, filelodge.com has proven its worthlessness. Link removed. I'll see if I can figure something else out.

Here's the same thing in case the above link doesn't work for some:

Collect

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Propitiáre, Dómine, fámulis tuis, et clémenter grátiæ tuæ super eos dona multíplica, ut, spe, fide et caritáte fervéntes, semper in mandátis tuis vígili custódia persevérent
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, per ómnia saécula sæculórum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. Lord be merciful to your people. Fill us with your gifts and make us always eager to serve you in faith, hope, and love.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Literal Translation
Let us pray. Look favorably upon Your servants, O Lord, and lovingly multiply the gifts of Your grace upon them, so that, burning with hope, faith, and charity, they may always persevere with vigilance in the keeping of Your commandments.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Prayer Over the Gifts

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Deus, qui legálium differéntiam hostiárum uníus sacrifícii perfectióne, sanxísti, áccipe sacrifícium a devótis tibi fámulis, et pari benedictióne, sicut múnera Abel, sanctífica, ut, quod sínguli obtulérunt ad maiestátis tuæ honórem, cunctis profíciat ad salútem.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Lord, bring us closer to salvation through these gifts which we bring in your honor. Accept the perfect sacrifice you have given us, bless it as you blessed the gifts of Abel.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Literal Translation
O God, Who by the perfection of one Sacrifice consecrated the various offerings of the Law, accept this sacrifice from the servants devoted to You, and sanctify it with an equal blessing, as You did the gifts of Abel, so that, that which each have offered to the honor of Your majesty, may accomplish the salvation of all.
Through Christ our Lord.

Post-Communion Prayer

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Pópulo tuo, quaésumus, Dómine, adésto propítius, et, quem mystériis cæléstibus imbuísti, fac ad novitátem vitæ de vetustáte transíre.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Merciful Father, may these mysteries give us new purpose and bring us to a new life in you.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

Literal Translation
Let us pray. Graciously assist Your people, we beseech You, O Lord, and, make those, whom You have imbued with these Heavenly Mysteries, to cross over from their old way to newness of life.
Through Christ our Lord.

Memorial of Saint Alessio (Alexis) of Rome

(you can click the picture to embiggen)

Throughout my travels, I have gained devotions to some Saints just because I have been to their tombs. I often have the code, "I am going to visit some friends in Rome," which actually means I am going to make a pilgrimage to some tombs of the Saints.

One of those is celebrated today, Saint Alessio. His church is in Rome on the Aventine Hill between Sant'Anselmo (the Benedictine College) and Santa Sabina (where Saint Dominic stayed when in Rome).

The picture above is a statue of where he died. I assume that the stairs in the case are the actual stairs under which he lived. My Italian is poor, so I couldn't find out. You can learn more about his life at the Patron Saint Index.

(As a side note, the "relief" on the right edge of the picture, you'll have to click the picture to really see it, is actually just a painting and not an actual relief.)

Comparison of Prayers - 15th Week "Per Annum"

Collect

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Deus, qui errántibus, ut in viam possint redíre, veritátis tuæ lumen osténdis, da cunctis qui christiána professióne censéntur, et illa respúere, quæ huic inimíca sunt nómini, et ea quæ sunt apta sectári.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, per ómnia saécula sæculórum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. God our Father, your light of truth guides us to the way of Christ. May all who follow him reject what is contrary to the gospel.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Literal Translation
Let us pray. O God, You Who have shown forth the light of Your Truth to the straying, that they may be able to return to Your way, grant to all who are esteemed by their Christian profession, to cast away those things, which are contrary to the Christian name, and to follow those things which are appropriate to it.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Prayer Over the Gifts

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Réspice, Dómine, múnera supplicántis Ecclésiæ, et pro credéntium sanctificatiónis increménto suménda concéde.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Lord, accept the gifts of your Church. May this eucharist help us grow in holiness and faith.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

Literal Translation
O Lord, look upon these gifts of Your humbly supplicating Church, and grant that this Sacrifice Which is about to be undertaken should be for the increase of the sanctification of believers.
Through Christ our Lord.

Post-Communion Prayer

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Sumptis munéribus, quaésumus, Dómine, ut, cum frequentatióne mystérii, crescat nostræ salútis efféctus.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. Lord, by our sharing in the mystery of this eucharist, let your saving love grow within us.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.

Literal Translation
Let us pray. By these gracious Gifts, we beseech You, Lord, that, with the frequenting of this Mystery, the accomplishment of our salvation may come forth.
Through Christ our Lord.

True Freedom

"Dadwithnoisykids" has a great article on how he and his family made one July 4th very special by declairing independence from their television, over at his blog "scorpionstalkingduck."

Knowing him personally, I will say that he will be able to give you great amusement from a Catholic perspective, so check it out.

Comparison of Prayers - 14th Week "Per Annum"

Collect
Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Deus, qui in Fílii tui humilitáte iacéntem mundum erexísti, fidélibus tuis sanctam concéde lætítiam, ut, quos eripuísti a servitúte peccáti, gáudiis fácias pérfrui sempitérnis.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, per ómnia saécula sæculórum.
Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. Father, through the obedience of Jesus, your servant and your Son, you raised a fallen world. Free us from sin and bring us the joy that lasts for ever.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Literal Translation
Let us pray. O God, Who in the humility of Your Son, lifted up this fallen world, grant a holy rejoicing to Your faithful, so that, You might make those, whom You have snatched from the bondage of sin, to enjoy fully the eternal delights.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Prayer Over the Gifts
Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Oblátio nos, Dómine, tuo nómini dicáta puríficet, et de die in diem ad cæléstis vitæ tránsferat actiónem.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.
Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Lord, let this offering to the glory of your name purify us and bring us closer to eternal life.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.
Literal Translation
May this oblation, consecrated to Your Name, purify us, O Lord, and may it from day to day direct us to the duties of a heavenly life.
Through Christ our Lord.

Post-Communion Prayer
Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Tantis, Dómine, repléti munéribus, præsta, quaésumus, ut et salutária dona capiámus, et a tua numquam laude cessémus.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.
Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Lord, may we never fail to praise you for the fullness of life and salvation you give us in this eucharist.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Literal Translation
Let us pray. Having been replenished with these Offerings so great, O Lord, grant we beseech You, that we may acquire the gifts of salvation, and never cease from praising You.
Through Christ our Lord.

My own comments:
In general, I always have to double check to make sure I am looking at the same week in Latin and English. They are so different, I sometimes doubt I am looking at the same prayer.
Collect:
I'm not sure how they got humilitáte (humility) to be obedience. I did learn a bit about the subtleties of “lætítiam” and “gaudiis.” “Lætítia” is a joy which manifests itself externally, whereas “gáudium” is an internal joy or happiness.
Prayer Over the Gifts:
The “duties” or even more literally “action” (actiónem) are dropped in the 1973 I.C.E.L.
And, as usual, the ending of the prayer “Per Christum Dóminum nostrum” is translated rather “creatively.”
Post-Communion Prayer:
Given that “active participation” originally meant to receive Holy Communion at Mass, it is a loss that the 1973 I.C.E.L. drops the fact that we have (hopefully) just been replenished by so great an Offering. It also irritates me that “Eucharist” is not capitalized in the 1973 I.C.E.L. translation. Even Microsoft Word says it should be capitalized.

Lazy Days of Summer

Actually, I haven't much chance to be lazy, but I have been busy with work and with college buddies coming into town. Here I am starting a blog then I don't post enough to keep interested those generous enough to check it out. I'll try to have the translations of the prayers for this Sunday posted by Friday evening.

Thanks to all you who are interested in the blog. I'll get the hang of this eventually.

Pro Life Search Engine

With the Fourth of July in full gear, I'll just post this quick note.

I found a search engine with donates money to Pro-Life organizations. I have been using it for a few months now, and from what I have seen everything looks to be trustworthy and moral. It is powered by Google, so your searches won't be limited to some small mom & pop search.
Another nice thing is that it has the Google SafeSearch filter already turned on.

Anyway, spread the word and make ProLifeSearch.com your new homepage.

Latin in Seminaries

I wonder how many seminaries in the U.S.A. (and in the world) actually follow this canon:

Code of Canon Law
Book II: The People of God
Part I: The Christian Faithful
Title III: Sacred Ministers or Clerics
Chapter I: The Formation of Clerics

Can. 249 The program of priestly formation is to provide that students not only are carefully taught their native language but also understand Latin well and have a suitable understanding of those foreign languages which seem necessary or useful for their formation or for the exercise of pastoral ministry. [emphasis added]

I have met very few priests who had Latin as a part of their priestly formation.
Also note how it says "understand Latin well." This is something that Fr. Reginald Foster, the pope's Latinist, laments greatly. The amount of people who actually know Latin is shrinking at a frightening rate. If Latin is not given more emphasis in pactice, it will just become even more difficult to recover.

Fr. Reginald has a (usually) weekly radio show on Vatican Radio. It is not only interesting for the Latin, but he has quite a number of stories of antiquity and also a gives a slight peek into the inner workings of the Vatican on occasion.

I can't seem to find the site on Vatican radio anymore for some reason, although I will post it in case it is just down temporarily:
Normally it is found at: Vatican Radio's 105Live, The Latin Lover.
However you can find mp3 archives at Fr. Gary Coulter's site.