You can get just about anything on the internet.

Ooh, the theological implications of this stunt.

WIN MY SOUL

With what I have seen on the web, I would bet Satan surfs the internet. If Esau sold his birthrite so easily ... (when he really didn't mean it, right?), this guy better be careful.

RS

Hi Res Picture

They always say that you can't go wrong with a Ferrari.
As regular readers know, I really enjoy classical religious art and also the internet. So, as you can imagine, this link is just too cool not to share.

8.6 Gigapixel picture "Vita di Christo" by Gaudenzio Ferrari

Yes, that's GIGA pixels (8600 x Megapixels)
[Sorry for those of you on dial-up, you might not be able to appreciate it.]

You can zoom in on the picture to look it with detail of up to a few centimeters in the frame.


Just to show the detail, if you look at the first picture above, you can see a circle near the top of the picture. The detail here is of the eye of the man inside that circle.

Nice background music too. Beautiful painting and probably one of the biggest pictures on the web. Wish there was some way to download it. ;)

You can spend a lot of time on this link. Amazing picture.

RS

Saint Saturninus

Today is the feast of a friend I "met" back in 2000 on my pilgrimage to Rome for the Holy Year. Thanks to Fr. Cassian of Norcia for the suggestion to visit the Basilica of Saints John and Paul.


So, today is the feast of Saint Saturninus of Carthage (not to be confused with Saint Saturninus of Toulouse, a bishop and martyr in France, whose feast is also today). Not much is known about Saint Saturninus of Carthage, except what the Roman Martyrologies say (I use the plural since there is the "old" Roman Martyrology, a new Roman Martyrology was published in 2002, and then revised in 2004).

The old Roman Martyrology has this about Saint Saturninus:

Romæ, via Salaria, natális sanctórum Mártyrum Saturnini senis, et Sisinii Diáconi, sub Maximiáno Príncipe; quos, diu in cárcere maceratos, jussit Urbis Præfectus in equuleum levári et attrahi nervis, fustibus ac scorpiónibus cædi, deínde eis flammas apponi, et, depositos de equuleo, cápite truncari.

At Rome, on the Salarian Way, the birthday of the holy martyr, Saturninus, an aged man, and the deacon Sisinius, in the time of Emperor Maximian. After a long imprisonment, by order of the prefect of the city they were placed on the rack, stretched with ropes, scourged with rods and whips garnished with metal, then exposed to the flames, taken down from the rack and beheaded.

- from breviary.net's Roman Maryrology pages

The new (2004) Roman Martyrology has this:

Romæ in cœmetério Trasónis via Salária Nova, sancti Saturníni Carthaginénsis, mártyris, qui, ut sanctus Dámasus papa refert, sub Décio imperatóre pro Christo in pátria in ecúleo impósitus est et Romam extórris missus, ubi, áliis atrócibus torméntis superátis, Gratiánum tyránnum ad fidem convértit et cápite obtruncáto corónam martýrii adéptus est.

(My rough translation)

At Rome, in the cemetary of Trasonis on the New Via Salaria, Saint Saturninus of Carthage, martyr, who, Pope Saint Damasus relates, that under the Emperor Decius, in his homeland he [St. Saturninus] was placed on the rack for Christ, and sent into exile in Rome, where, having overcome other severe tortures, converted the tyrant Gratianus to the faith, and [St. Saturninus] being beheaded obtained the crown of martyrdom.

I'm not sure what happened to St. Saturninus' deacon companion Sisinius in the new Martyrology. I often worry that some parts of legends are automatically thrown out if they can't be proven, rather than keeping them until the can be proven false. That is often the case in the rather snotty comments in the Thurston & Atwater edition of Butler's Lives of the Saints.

Still, the fact of the matter is that Saint Saturninus was martyred in Rome and his remains are at a side altar at the Basilica of Saints John and Paul (the ones menioned in the Roman Canon). So, while visiting the Basilica, I developed a devotion to this martyr of old age.

The sarcophagus in the altar used to have most of his relics, but the sacristan at the Basilica told me that a new parish was erected in Rome under his patronage and some of the remains were given to that parish.

But I do love the painting above the altar.

This Basilica has many great paintings and the remains of several saints:

Saints John and Paul

Saint Paul of the Cross

Saint Saturninus

Saint Pammachius (the one who built the Basilica and a friend of Saint Jerome)

and the Martyrs of Scillium.

The Basilica is also very popular for weddings. It is near Saint Gregory the Great's church:

which is catecorner from the Circus Maximus:

(Circus Maximus in the foreground, Church of Saint Gregory the Great to the right of the center of the picture, and Basilica of Saints John and Paul just to the left of the center of the pic.)

The Basilica of Saints John and Paul is definitely worth a visit if you are in Rome.
(And as always, you can click any of the pictures above to get a better view of them)

RS

Mount Everest controversy

I love mountains and have always been fascinated with Mt. Everest and K2. It always amazes me how climbing Mt. Everest is truly an "expedition." The planning, the costs, the difficulties, and the tiny windows of opportunity given the fickle weather make reaching the summit something to be admired, no matter how crazy or dangerous you think it is.

I had heard about the death of a climber recently which hit the headlines due to the accusations that he had been passed up by several groups and then left to die.

Recently while visiting home on Thanksgiving I was able to watch the Discovery Channel's series on climbing Mt. Everest, "Everest: Beyond the Limit."

Now those things being said, they are suddenly all tied together in this article I found at MountEverest.net:

The most shameful act in the history of mountaineering: "Everest: Beyond the limit" airs Tuesday

It's hard to say how true the article is, but it did strike me when I remembered one thing on the TV show about the guy trying to be "sneaky" to beat other expeditions up the mountain. However, the climbers in the Discovery Channel series were amazing, given that I remember one being an asthmatic and was going to go the summit without oxygen, another was a French guy in his 60's, and another was an amputee below both knees and was climbing on prosthetic legs.

The tragedy that happened was sad, especially in that it does sound like he could have been saved. I would expect the climbers might not have known the guy was having problems, but it sounds like the guides would have or at least should have known.

Still, as much as I would love to try Everest, I really couldn't justify the risk to life involved. I'll just stick with the panorama view at this site:
360 degree panorama from summit of Mt. Everest (you will probably need a quicktime plugin to view)

(Click the picture for a much better view. Great resolution of K2.)

K2 is another interesting mountain, which is said to be much tougher than Mt. Everest due to K2 being much more rocky and sheer from any angle. You can learn more about that at the K2 website.

RS

Book List

Fr. Z. pointed out a book list for Christmas Vacation from the BBC. First off, if it is coming from the BBC, I am suprised they said "Christmas" vacation. Secondly, I am suprised there are so many dead, white, European authors on the list. Anyway, Fr. Z. showed the list and which ones he had read. I figured I'd do the same but with a bit more personal take on it. [This shows Fr. Z. is much more well read than I ;)]
(Books I have read are in bold, my comments in brackets)

1. The Lord of the Rings, JRR Tolkien [and saw the movies]
2. Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen
3. His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman
4. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams [and have seen the movie]
5. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, JK Rowling
6. To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee
7. Winnie the Pooh, AA Milne
8. Nineteen Eighty-Four, George Orwell [great book, but hated the 1984 movie]
9. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, CS Lewis
10. Jane Eyre, Charlotte Brontë
11. Catch-22, Joseph Heller
12. Wuthering Heights, Emily Brontë
13. Birdsong, Sebastian Faulks
14. Rebecca, Daphne du Maurier
15. The Catcher in the Rye, JD Salinger
16. The Wind in the Willows, Kenneth Grahame
17. Great Expectations, Charles Dickens ["How was it?" "Not as good as I had hoped"-Hot Shots]
18. Little Women, Louisa May Alcott
19. Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, Louis de Bernieres
20. War and Peace, Leo Tolstoy
21. Gone with the Wind, Margaret Mitchell
22. Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone, JK Rowling
23. Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets, JK Rowling
24. Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban, JK Rowling
25. The Hobbit, JRR Tolkien [utterly saddened that Peter Jackson isn't going to be making this movie]
26. Tess Of The D’Urbervilles, Thomas Hardy
27. Middlemarch, George Eliot
28. A Prayer For Owen Meany, John Irving
29. The Grapes Of Wrath, John Steinbeck
30. Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland, Lewis Carroll
31. The Story Of Tracy Beaker, Jacqueline Wilson
32. One Hundred Years Of Solitude, Gabriel García Márquez
33. The Pillars Of The Earth, Ken Follett
34. David Copperfield, Charles Dickens
35. Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, Roald Dahl [only saw the Gene Wilder movie]
36. Treasure Island, Robert Louis Stevenson
37. A Town Like Alice, Nevil Shute
38. Persuasion, Jane Austen
39. Dune, Frank Herbert [played the video game]
40. Emma, Jane Austen
41. Anne Of Green Gables, LM Montgomery
42. Watership Down, Richard Adams
43. The Great Gatsby, F Scott Fitzgerald [only read half of it]
44. The Count Of Monte Cristo, Alexandre Dumas
45. Brideshead Revisited, Evelyn Waugh
46. Animal Farm, George Orwell
47. A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens [I can't say I have read the book, but I have seen a million versions of it, the muppet version being one of my favorites]
48. Far From The Madding Crowd, Thomas Hardy
49. Goodnight Mister Tom, Michelle Magorian
50. The Shell Seekers, Rosamunde Pilcher
51. The Secret Garden, Frances Hodgson Burnett [saw the movie ... unfortunately]
52. Of Mice And Men, John Steinbeck
53. The Stand, Stephen King
54. Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy
55. A Suitable Boy, Vikram Seth
56. The BFG, Roald Dahl [Nope, but I have played the video game "Doom" LOL!]
57. Swallows And Amazons, Arthur Ransome
58. Black Beauty, Anna Sewell
59. Artemis Fowl, Eoin Colfer
60. Crime And Punishment, Fyodor Dostoyevsky [only read half ... twice]
61. Noughts And Crosses, Malorie Blackman
62. Memoirs Of A Geisha, Arthur Golden
63. A Tale Of Two Cities, Charles Dickens
64. The Thorn Birds, Colleen McCollough
65. Mort, Terry Pratchett
66. The Magic Faraway Tree, Enid Blyton
67. The Magus, John Fowles
68. Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
69. Guards! Guards!, Terry Pratchett
70. Lord Of The Flies, William Golding
71. Perfume, Patrick Süskind
72. The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists, Robert Tressell
73. Night Watch, Terry Pratchett
74. Matilda, Roald Dahl
75. Bridget Jones’s Diary, Helen Fielding
76. The Secret History, Donna Tartt
77. The Woman In White, Wilkie Collins
78. Ulysses, James Joyce
79. Bleak House, Charles Dickens
80. Double Act, Jacqueline Wilson
81. The Twits, Roald Dahl
82. I Capture The Castle, Dodie Smith
83. Holes, Louis Sachar
84. Gormenghast, Mervyn Peake
85. The God Of Small Things, Arundhati Roy
86. Vicky Angel, Jacqueline Wilson
87. Brave New World, Aldous Huxley
88. Cold Comfort Farm, Stella Gibbons
89. Magician, Raymond E Feist
90. On The Road, Jack Kerouac
91. The Godfather, Mario Puzo
92. The Clan Of The Cave Bear, Jean M Auel
93. The Colour Of Magic, Terry Pratchett
94. The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho
95. Katherine, Anya Seton
96. Kane And Abel, Jeffrey Archer
97. Love In The Time Of Cholera, Gabriel García Márquez
98. Girls In Love, Jacqueline Wilson
99. The Princess Diaries, Meg Cabot
100. Midnight’s Children, Salman Rushdie
101. Three Men In A Boat, Jerome K. Jerome
102. Small Gods, Terry Pratchett
103. The Beach, Alex Garland
104. Dracula, Bram Stoker
105. Point Blanc, Anthony Horowitz
106. The Pickwick Papers, Charles Dickens
107. Stormbreaker, Anthony Horowitz
108. The Wasp Factory, Iain Banks
109. The Day Of The Jackal, Frederick Forsyth
110. The Illustrated Mum, Jacqueline Wilson
111. Jude The Obscure, Thomas Hardy
112. The Secret Diary Of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾, Sue Townsend
113. The Cruel Sea, Nicholas Monsarrat
114. Les Misérables, Victor Hugo
115. The Mayor Of Casterbridge, Thomas Hardy
116. The Dare Game, Jacqueline Wilson
117. Bad Girls, Jacqueline Wilson
118. The Picture Of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde
119. Shogun, James Clavell
120. The Day Of The Triffids, John Wyndham
121. Lola Rose, Jacqueline Wilson
122. Vanity Fair, William Makepeace Thackeray
123. The Forsyte Saga, John Galsworthy
124. House Of Leaves, Mark Z. Danielewski
125. The Poisonwood Bible, Barbara Kingsolver
126. Reaper Man, Terry Pratchett
127. Angus, Thongs And Full-Frontal Snogging, Louise Rennison
128. The Hound Of The Baskervilles, Arthur Conan Doyle
129. Possession, A. S. Byatt
130. The Master And Margarita, Mikhail Bulgakov
131. The Handmaid’s Tale, Margaret Atwood
132. Danny The Champion Of The World, Roald Dahl
133. East Of Eden, John Steinbeck
134. George’s Marvellous Medicine, Roald Dahl
135. Wyrd Sisters, Terry Pratchett
136. The Color Purple, Alice Walker
137. Hogfather, Terry Pratchett
138. The Thirty-Nine Steps, John Buchan
139. Girls In Tears, Jacqueline Wilson
140. Sleepovers, Jacqueline Wilson
141. All Quiet On The Western Front, Erich Maria Remarque
142. Behind The Scenes At The Museum, Kate Atkinson
143. High Fidelity, Nick Hornby
144. It, Stephen King [saw the TV movie]
145. James And The Giant Peach, Roald Dahl
146. The Green Mile, Stephen King
147. Papillon, Henri Charriere
148. Men At Arms, Terry Pratchett
149. Master And Commander, Patrick O’Brian
150. Skeleton Key, Anthony Horowitz
151. Soul Music, Terry Pratchett
152. Thief Of Time, Terry Pratchett
153. The Fifth Elephant, Terry Pratchett
154. Atonement, Ian McEwan
155. Secrets, Jacqueline Wilson
156. The Silver Sword, Ian Serraillier
157. One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, Ken Kesey
158. Heart Of Darkness, Joseph Conrad
159. Kim, Rudyard Kipling
160. Cross Stitch, Diana Gabaldon
161. Moby Dick, Herman Melville [never finished]
162. River God, Wilbur Smith
163. Sunset Song, Lewis Grassic Gibbon
164. The Shipping News, Annie Proulx
165. The World According To Garp, John Irving
166. Lorna Doone, R. D. Blackmore
167. Girls Out Late, Jacqueline Wilson
168. The Far Pavilions, M. M. Kaye
169. The Witches, Roald Dahl
170. Charlotte’s Web, E. B. White
171. Frankenstein, Mary Shelley
172. They Used To Play On Grass, Terry Venables and Gordon Williams
173. The Old Man And The Sea, Ernest Hemingway
174. The Name Of The Rose, Umberto Eco
175. Sophie’s World, Jostein Gaarder
176. Dustbin Baby, Jacqueline Wilson
177. Fantastic Mr Fox, Roald Dahl
178. Lolita, Vladimir Nabokov
179. Jonathan Livingstone Seagull, Richard Bach
180. The Little Prince, Antoine De Saint-Exupery
181. The Suitcase Kid, Jacqueline Wilson
182. Oliver Twist, Charles Dickens
183. The Power Of One, Bryce Courtenay
184. Silas Marner, George Eliot
185. American Psycho, Bret Easton Ellis
186. The Diary Of A Nobody, George and Weedon Grossmith
187. Trainspotting, Irvine Welsh
188. Goosebumps, R. L. Stine
189. Heidi, Johanna Spyri
190. Sons And Lovers, D. H. LawrenceLife of Lawrence
191. The Unbearable Lightness of Being, Milan Kundera
192. Man And Boy, Tony Parsons
193. The Truth, Terry Pratchett
194. The War Of The Worlds, H. G. Wells
195. The Horse Whisperer, Nicholas Evans
196. A Fine Balance, Rohinton Mistry
197. Witches Abroad, Terry Pratchett
198. The Once And Future King, T. H. White
199. The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Eric Carle
200. Flowers In The Attic, Virginia Andrews

Speaking the Truth

"Speaking just to find applause or to tell people what they want to hear….is like prostitution," [Pope Benedict] told the theologians, according to a transcript. "Don’t look for applause, but look to obey the truth."

Quote from a (dodgy) article on Pope Benedict over at the Wall Street Journal. Fr. Z. has a much better commentary on it.

Geeze, that quote certainly makes most of Congress a house of ill repute. ;)

Plenary Indulgence for Christ the King

Here is an excellent way to finish off November by seeking to obtain an indulgence for a soul in Purgatory.

Requirements for Obtaining a Plenary Indulgence on Christ the King

- Public recitation of the prayer “Most Sweet Jesus, Redeemer - Act of Dedication of the Human Race to Jesus Christ King” (listed below)

- Say one “Our Father” and one “Hail Mary” for the intentions of the Pope

- Make a Sacramental Confession within a week of (before or after) the Feast of Christ the King

- Worthily receive Holy Communion (ideally on the Feast of Christ the King)

- that one be free from all attachment to sin, even venial sin.

Most Sweet Jesus, Redeemer - Act of Dedication of the Human Race to Jesus Christ the King

Most Sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, look down upon us humbly prostrate before You. We are Yours, and Yours we wish to be; but to be more surely united with You, behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today to Your Most Sacred Heart. Many indeed have never known You; many, too, despising Your precepts, have rejected You. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to Your Sacred Heart.

Be King, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken You, but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned You; grant that they may quickly return to their Father’s house, lest they die of wretchedness and hunger.

Be King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions, or whom discord keeps aloof, and call them back to the harbor of Truth and the unity of Faith, so that soon there may be but one flock and one Shepherd.

Grant, O Lord, to Your Church assurance of freedom and immunity from harm; give tranquility of order to all nations; make the earth resound from pole to pole with one cry: Praise to the Divine Heart that wrought our salvation; to It be glory and honor forever. Amen.

The “Technical” Stuff

“1. An indulgence is the remission in the eyes of God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose culpable element has already been taken away. The Christian faithful who are rightly disposed and observe the definite, prescribed conditions gain this remission through the effective assistance of the Church, which, as the minister of redemption, authoritatively distributes and applies the treasury of the expiatory works of Christ and the Saints.”
- Handbook of Indulgences, Norms

“22. The prescribed work for gaining a plenary indulgence attached to a church or oratory is a devout visit there, which includes the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer and the Creed (Pater Noster and Credo), unless otherwise stated in a specific grant.”
- Handbook of Indulgences, Norms

“23. 1. Besides the exclusion of all attachment to sin, even venial sin, the requirements for gaining a Plenary Indulgence are the performance of the indulgenced work and fulfillment of three conditions: Sacramental Confession, Eucharistic Communion, and prayer for the Pope’s intentions.
2. Several Plenary Indulgences may be gained on the basis of a single Sacramental Confession; only one may be gained, however, on the basis of a single Eucharistic Communion and prayer for the Pope’s intentions.
3. The three conditions may be carried out several days preceding or following performance of the prescribed work. But it is more fitting that the Communion and the prayer for the Pope’s intentions take place on the day the work is performed.
4. If a person is not fully disposed or if the prescribed work and the three mentioned conditions are not fulfilled, the Indulgence will only be partial ...”
5. The condition requiring prayer for the Pope’s intentions is satisfied by reciting once the Our Father and Hail Mary for his intentions (Pater Noster and Ave Maria); nevertheless all the faithful have the option of reciting any other prayer suited to their own piety and devotion.”
- Handbook of Indulgences, Norms

Grants:
#27. A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful, who piously recite the above Act of Dedication of the Human Race to Jesus Christ the King, if it is recited publicly on the feast of our Lord Jesus Christ the King, and piously carry out the precepts in Norm #23 listed above.
- Handbook of Indulgences, Grants

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Comparison of Prayers - Christ the King

Collect (Opening Prayer)

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Omnípotens sempitérne Deus, qui in dilécto Fílio tuo, universórum Rege, ómina instauráre voluísti, concéde propítius, ut tota creatúra, a servitúte liberáta, tuæ maiestáti desérviat ac te sine fine colláudet.
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. Almighty and merciful, you break the power of evil and make all things new in your Son, Jesus Christ, the King of the universe. May all in heaven and earth acclaim your glory and never cease to praise you.
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.

My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. Almighty and Eternal God, Who wished to restore all things in Your Beloved Son, the King of the universe, graciously grant, that, having been freed from slavery, all creatures may zealously serve Your Majesty and praise You without end.
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
Hóstiam tibi, Dómine, humánæ reconciliatiónis offeréntes, supplíciter deprecámur, ut ipse Fílius tuus cunctis géntibus unitátis et pacis dona concédat.
Qui vivit et regnat in saécula sæculórum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation(Used at Mass in English)
Lord, we offer you the sacrifice by which your Son reconciles mankind. May it bring unity and peace to the world.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

My Own Literal Translation
Offering to You, O Lord, this Victim of man’s reconciliation, we humbly beseech You, that Your Son Himself may grant the gifts of unity and peace to all peoples.
He Who lives and reigns forever and ever.

Preface
Preface of Christ, King of the Universe
Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Vere dignum et iustum est, æquum et salutáre, nos tibi semper et ubíque grátias ágere: Dómine, sancte Pater, omnípotens ætérne Deus:
Qui Unigénitum Fílium tuum, Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Sacerdótem ætérnum et universórum Regem, óleo exsultatiónis unxísti:
ut, seípsum in ara crucis hóstiam immaculátam et pacíficam ófferens, redemptiónis humánæ sacraménta perágeret: et, suo subiéctis império ómnibus creatúris, ætérnum et universále regnum imménsæ tuæ tráderet maiestáti: regnum veritátis et vitæ; regnum sanctitátis et grátiæ; regnum iustítiæ, amóris et pacis.
Et ídeo cum Angelis et Archángelis, cum Thronis et Dominatiónibus, cumque omni milítia cæléstis exércitus, hymnum glóriæ tuæ cánimus, sine fine dicéntes:
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus ...

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation(Used at Mass in English)
Father, all-powerful and ever-living God, we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks.
You anointed Jesus Christ, your only Son, with the oil of gladness, as the eternal high priest and universal king.
As priest he offered his life on the altar of the cross and redeemed the human race by this one perfect sacrifice of peace. As king he claims dominion over all creation that he may present to you, his almighty Father, an eternal and universal kingdom: a kingdom of truth and life, a kingdom of holiness and grace, a kingdom of justice, love, and peace.
And so, with all the choirs of angels in heaven we proclaim your glory and join in their unending hymn of praise:
Holy, holy, holy ...

My Own Literal Translation
It is truly right and just, proper and availing unto salvation, that we always and everywhere give thanks to You, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty and Eternal God;
Who anointed with the oil of exultation Your only-Begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, as the Eternal Priest and King of the universe:
so that, offering Himself on the Altar of the Cross as a immaculate and pacifying Victim, to carry out the Sacrament of man’s redemption: and thus with all creatures subject to His rule, He might hand over to Your infinite Majesty an eternal and universal Kingdom: a Kingdom of truth and of life; a Kingdom of sanctity and grace; a Kingdom of justice, love, and peace.
And so, with the Angels and Archangels, with the Angelic Order and the Spiritual Powers, and with all the host of the Heavenly army, we sing the hymn of Your Glory, saying without end:
Holy, Holy, Holy ...

Post-Communion Prayer

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Immortalitátis alimóniam consecúti, quaésumus, Dómine, ut, qui Christi Regis universórum gloriámur obœdíre mandátis, cum ipso in cælésti regno sine fine vívere valeámus.
Qui vivit et regnat in saécula sæculórum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation(Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. Lord, you give us Christ, the King of all creation, as food for everlasting life. Help us to live by his gospel and bring us to the joy of his kingdom,
where he lives and reigns for ever and ever.

My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. Having received the Food of immortality, we beseech You, O Lord, that, we who glory in being obedient to the commands of Christ, King of the universe, may be worthy to live with Him in His Heavenly Kingdom without end.
He Who lives and reigns forever and ever.

Weird fact of the day

Despite being totally landlocked, Bolivia has an active navy, which practices on the highest commercially navigable lake in the world, Lake Titicaca.

(I was looking into the headwaters of the Amazon when I came across this.)

Prayer for the Holiday

No, not a prayer for Thanksgiving. That is merely a day to "beef up" for the solemnity that is "The Friday after Thanksgiving." "But, Mr. Sacristan," you say, "tomorrow isn't a solemnity, it isn't even a memorial."

Tomorrow is a solemnity for one of the new modern religions. Some people will RELIGIOUSLY go out to offer sacrifice to their god. Some of them will even OFFER UP time and comfort to be first once they have read their weekly encyclicals which come out in Thursday's papers, so they can know the best places to worship. Some are even willing to be martyrs for their faith.

And so, I present a prayer for all those going out tomorrow:

I believe in one god, consumerism almighty,
the provider of heaven and earth, of all that is sold and unsold.
I believe in one lord, temporary satisfaction,
the only product of consumerism,
greed from greed, want from want,
true addiction from true addiction,
produced not made, one in greed with consumerism.
Through it, all trivialities are bought.
For our addiction and for our distraction,
it came down from prosperity.
By the power of the dollar
it was born of prosperity and became addictive.
For our sake it was scrutinized under Wall Street,
fluctuated, dropped, and hit rock bottom,
in a few days it rose again in fulfillment of the stock holders,
the Dow Jones has risen ever higher and higher,
and is seated at the right hand of consumerism.
It will ever more ensnare the living as it has some of the dead,
and its fleetingness will never end.
I believe in the almighty dollar, the lord of some people's life,
who fuels consumerism and temporary satisfaction.
With consumerism and temporary satisfaction
it is ever sought after and thought to be needed.
It has spoken throught the corporations.
I believe in all the big money making corporations,
I acknowledge a diversified portfolio for more stable money making,
and I look for ultimate satisfaction in this life
rather than in the world to come.
Amen.

A catechism class in the new religion.

(This post was "inspired" by those who waited way too long in line for PS3's.

There is sort of a modern day Saint Boniface who has posted videos on the web. He sat in line for the release of both the PS3 and the Nintendo Wii so he could be first in line to buy one, then he took it outside opened it up in front of all those who waited in line, and smashed the game systems to pieces with a sledgehammer. I can't post a direct link to the videos because some of the reactions contained a bit of profanity and were rather virulent. You'd think he smashed an icon of Allah or Muhammed or something. The videos are on youtube though, just beware there is some profanity.

(In Saxony, Saint Boniface encountered a tribe worshipping a Norse deity in the form of a huge oak tree. Saint Boniface walked up to the tree, removed his shirt, took up an axe, and without a word he hacked down the six foot wide wooden god. Saint Boniface stood on the trunk, and asked, "How stands your mighty god? My God is stronger than he." The crowd's reaction was mixed, but some conversions were begun.)

Vacation and Inspiration

Sorry for the lack of posts, having to get things ready for work so I wouldn't have to worry about them over Thanksgiving has left me without many ideas for posts. Don't worry tomorrow will have something original (finally).

Finally passed 6000 hits. Rather small in the blogosphere, but then, I am ... um ... going for quality over quantity ... right? (Didn't say I was meeting the quality quota, just aiming for it. LOL).

Office Space quote

"We don't have a lot of time on this earth, we weren't meant to spend it this way. Human beings were not meant to sit in little cubicles staring at computer screens all day, filling out useless forms and listening to eight different bosses drone on about mission statements."
-Peter Gibbons, "Office Space"

Although not the most edifying of movies (rated R), this movie takes a great stab at the soft underbelly of corporate America. While it is meant to be a comedy, when I watched it, it was more like a documentary of what my job was like, working in an internal computer helpdesk for one of the world's largest fiancial corporations.

The similarities in this movie and my job were amazing. At one point I even screamed in horror out loud while watching the movie because one scene was shot right outside my company, so you could see it in the background. Not to mention I also had two co-workers who had just come in and they both had the same first name. We had the annoying sunshiny secretary, the office ladies man, and all the other stereotypes. (And I have always wanted to do that to a fax machine or printer! \o/)

But it should make people step back and look at the rat race our modern society has become. I live next to a rather ritzy part of town and it is really odd to see how people run themselves ragged to define themselves through their material possessions. When my friend and I are out driving, he will often see a porsche or a BMW M5 drive by and say "there goes a quarter of a house." It really does amaze me. I guess that is why I enjoy going into that part of town. I don't quite have the "look" of corporate America, ie cleanshaven, sculpted hair, fancy suit, fast car, etc.

I also despise "mission statements."

Pope mandates a literal translation of "pro multis"

Finally, as I learned from Fr. Z.'s blog and comments the "pro multis" in the words of consecration at Mass will be required to be the more literal (and theologically correct) translation of "for (the) many."

Catholic World News reports on "pro multis"

Accent

Rather accurate quiz for me, I think.

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Midland "You have a Midland accent" is just another way of saying "you don't have an accent." You probably are from the Midland (Pennsylvania, southern Ohio, southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and Missouri) but then for all we know you could be from Florida or Charleston or one of those big southern cities like Atlanta or Dallas. You have a good voice for TV and radio.
The West
The Inland North
The South
The Northeast
Philadelphia
Boston
North Central
What American accent do you have?

The problem is that they don't distinguish between deep South and Southwest accents. The deep South tends to add more syllables to words, ie in Texas we say "fan," but in the deep South they say "fayan." LOL.

Comparison of Prayers - 33rd Sunday Per Annum

Collect (Opening Prayer)

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Da nobis, quaésumus, Dómine Deus noster, in tua semper devotióne gaudére, quia perpétua est et plena felícitas, si bonórum ómnium iúgiter serviámus auctóri.
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 of all that is good, keep us faithful in serving you, for to serve you is our lasting joy.
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.

My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. Grant us, we beseech You, O Lord our God, to always be joyful in our devotion to You, which is our perpetual and complete happiness, if we continually serve You, the Author of all good things.
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
Concéde, quaésumus, Dómine, ut óculis tuæ maiestátis munus oblátum et grátiam nobis devotiónis obtíneat, et efféctum beátæ perennitátis acquírat.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation(Used at Mass in English)
Lord God, may the gifts we offer increase our love for you and bring us to eternal life.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

My Own Literal Translation
Grant, we beseech You, O Lord, that this service offered in the sight of Your Majesty, may both obtain for us the grace of devotion, and acquire for us the reward of a blessed eternity.
Through Christ our Lord.

Post-Communion Prayer

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Súmpsimus, Dómine, sacri dona mystérii, humíliter deprecántes, ut, quæ in sui commemoratiónem nos Fílius tuus fácere præcépit, in nostræ profíciant caritátis augméntum.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation(Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. Father, may we grow in love by the eucharist we have celebrated in memory of the Lord Jesus,
who is Lord for ever and ever.

My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. O Lord, we have consumed the Gifts of this Sacred Mystery, humbly praying, that, those things which Your Son has commanded us to do in His remembrance, may be a help in the increasing of our charity.
Through Christ our Lord.

Nutrition Facts of the Eucharist

Ironic Catholic has a great post on what the FDA nutritional label would look like for Holy Communion.
(You'll have to visit Ironic Catholic for the high res pic)

Modern day School of Athens?

Did Pope Benedict pose for a real life reinactment of the picture above? See Joee Blog's post to find out (Who hat tips to Indolent Server, who in turn hat tips to the original poster Guy over at Shouts in the Piazza.) (There's a great caption for the pic too. LOL.)

Slow blogging week

Sorry for not posting much lately, but Real Life ®©™ has been a bit hectic lately.

Happy Benedictine All-Saints Day

In the Benedictine Orders, today is the feast day of all Benedictine Saints. Although I had forgotten, I was plesantly suprised when I went to my local Cistercian Abbey and found the feast day being celebrated.

Most Orders have their own All Saints and All Souls days for those in their Order.

Iran and the bomb ... dirty.

I don't usually get into politics but having seen these headlines, I had to make a brief comment.

Last month, the president of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmedinejad, made the statement: "The bottom line is we do not need a bomb," [Ahmedinejad] said at a news conference on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly.

My first thought was, "Of course they don't, that would be too complicated."

Given the fact that Iran is one of the biggest supporters of radical Islamic terrorism, why get all complicated with a bomb? Even with peaceful nuclear power you always have a rather "endless" supply of ... what else ... radioactive waste.

This headline just makes the thought of Iran having nuclear power a bit more scary:
Al Qaeda seeking nuclear kit for attacks: UK official

I really can't trust Ahmedinejad when he says "We love everyone in the world — Jews, Christians, Muslims, non-Muslims, non-Jews, non-Christians. We are against ugly acts. We are against occupation, aggression, killings and displacing people — otherwise we have no problem with ordinary people," and then he gets on his own Iranian TV and says stuff about America and England being enemies of Iran.

Western media is so flawed.

Feast of Saint Josaphat

Today is the feast of Saint Josaphat, a martyr for unity between the Church and the Eastern Orthodox.


Above is his tomb in Saint Peter's in Rome. Fittingly, it is one of the closest altars to Saint Peter's tomb.

I wish to commend Rod Dreher and any others who have left the Church for Eastern Orthodoxy to Saint Josaphat's prayers. It's also fitting that this feast is so near Pope Benedict's meeting with the patriarch in Turkey.

Sancte Josaphat, ora pro nobis.

White Wedding Christmas?

With a rebel yell, I cry "No, no, no!"

This is just weird. But since Christmas is already being done in the stores, I might as well follow suit. Sadly, it has more Christmas than what dadwithnoisykids or Diogenes have seen:

Yes, Billy Idol croons "White Christmas"

Comparison of Prayers - 32nd Sunday Per Annum

"Prophet Elijah and the Widow of Sarepta" by Bernardo Strozzi

Collect (Opening Prayer)

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Omnípotens et miséricors Deus, univérsa nobis adversántia propitiátus exclúde, ut, mente et córpore páriter expedíti, quæ tua sunt líberis méntibus exsequámur.
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 of power and mercy, protect us from all harm. Give us freedom of spirit and health in mind and body to do your work on earth.
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.

My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. Almighty and Merciful God, graciously keep away from us all opposing things, so that, equally unhindered both in mind and body, we may carry out with free wills those things which are Yours.
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
Sacrifíciis præséntibus, Dómine, quaésumus, inténde placátus, ut, quod passiónis Fílii tui mystério gérimus, pio consequámur afféctu.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation(Used at Mass in English)
God of mercy, in this eucharist we proclaim the death of the Lord. Accept the gifts we present and help us follow him with love,
for he is Lord for ever and ever.

My Own Literal Translation
O Lord, graciously look upon these sacrifices in Your Presence, so that, with pious love we may pursue that which we carry out in this Mystery of the Passion of Your Son.
Through Christ our Lord.

Post-Communion Prayer

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Grátias tibi, Dómine, reférimus sacro múnere vegetáti, tuam cleméntiam implorántes, ut, per infusiónem Spíritus tui, in quibus cæléstis virtus introívit, sinceritátis grátia persevéret.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation(Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. Lord, we thank you for the nourishment you give us through your holy gift. Pour out your Spirit upon us and in the strength of this food from heaven keep us single-minded in your service.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. Having been nourished by this Sacred Gift, we return our thanks to You, O Lord, imploring Your clemency, so that, through the pouring forth of Your Spirit, the grace of uprightness may persevere in those whom Your heavenly strength has entered.
Through Christ our Lord.

Saddam and his situation

The death pentalty. Sticky topic, but often misrepresented, even among Catholics. While in some circumstances I can see Pope John Paul II's call for not using the death penalty, I am disappointed by Catholics who, when mentioning Pope John Paul II's statement, fail to qualify that with the Church's actual moral position.

Reading the Encyclical "Evangelium Vitae" even though the pope does discourage the death penalty in most cases, in that same encyclical he does still acknowledge the state's right and duty to protect its citizens.

I still tend to look at the issue in a way that not only looks at the person's life, but also their afterlife. Would it not be better for a man to do justice in this life than in the next?

It is certainly a decision I would never want to have to make. However, no matter what our feelings are, we need to be open to the truth. We need to look at what the Church actually teaches universally.

Dominico Bettinelli analyzes Cardinal Martino's confusing remarks.

As does Jimmy Aiken.
.

Feast of the Dedication of Saint John Lateran

Today is the feast day of the Dedication of Saint John Lateran, which is the actual cathedral of the Pope (it's not Saint Peter's).


On my first visit, I was awestruck by the fact that the front doors were the ancient doors from the Roman forum. The doors (within the copper casing here) were around 2000 years old. That is 1800 years (or 9 times) older than the United States.


The inside is beautiful. Below is a picture of the main altar. Above that in the baldachino are statues of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. It is said that their skulls are in the heads of those statues. Some have disagreed, but the evidence seems to be believable after investigations in the 1950's about which are written in "The Tombs of St Peter and St Paul" by Fr. Engelbert Kirschbaum, S.J.


Off to the left of the above picture is the Eucharistic chapel. Above the altar is a scene of the Last Supper which contains a part of the table from the Last Supper. (Sorry for the blurry shot. Bad lighting, zooming, and learning a new camera didn't combine too well.)


Having devotion to Saint Francis, I was thrilled to see this painting above and beside the Papal Throne, which shows Saint Francis visiting the Pope to have his rule approved (remember Saint Francis was obedient to the Church).


The Pope's Corpus Christi Mass is also celebrated here on the proper day of Corpus Christi (it isn't transferred to Sunday) outside. It is great because for a papal Mass, it is not very crowded. This is from 2001 when Pope John Paul II said the Corpus Christi Mass.


After the Mass is a procession from Saint John Lateran to Santa Maria Maggiore. The procession is huge and goes about a mile with many sodalities, confraternities, and clergy leading the procession. Being with Father Clement, he knew a quick back way to get to a great veiwing place which placed us right on the street where the procession would pass. In the rank ahead of the Pope and the monastrance was one Cardinal Ratzinger.


Finally the Pope came by. This is not a zoom shot.


Finally, the spectators follow the procession and then receive benediction outside of Santa Maria Maggiore. The entire piazza and side streets were packed with people. Interestingly, although there were people from all over the world, a vast majority knew the Eucharistic adoration hymns in Latin.


So there's a quick visit to Saint John Lateran

"Satanic" Mass

Stop reading now if you have high blood pressure.

I haven't really wanted to comment on the whole debacle, and I still can't given the absolute absurdity of it and how much it really angers me. But Amy Welborn has a good commentary on the Halloween Mass in Orange County, CA.

My gosh, the video is ... wow ... (don't watch the video if you are easily angered by liturgical abuse, YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED). The sad thing is I think more adults are dressed up in costumes and present than children!

I have to quote from the priest in the video though:

"you knew we were twisted."

You said it yourself, Father, you said it yourself.

Against the ultra traditionalists

Father Edward McNamara answers the tired, old argument of "ultra traditionalists" that the current Mass is invalid.

Likewise, legal expressions such as "which shall have the force of law in perpetuity, We order and enjoin under pain of Our displeasure that nothing be added to Our newly published Missal, nothing omitted therefrom, and nothing whatsoever altered therein" cannot be literally interpreted as binding on possible later actions of Pope St. Pius V or upon his successors. The strictures fall only upon those who act without due authority.

If it were otherwise, then Pope St. Pius V would have excommunicated himself a couple of years after publishing "Quo Primum" when he added the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary to the missal following the Battle of Lepanto in 1571, not to mention Pope Clement XI who canonized Pius V in 1712, thus altering the missal.

Read the full article over at Zenit.

RS

Padre Pio's Last Mass

Just found this on youtube:

My Italian is horrible, so I can't really tell what is being said. This is the last Mass he said and you can see him collapse into the friars' arms at the end. Pretty amazing to see actual video of a Saint though.

Lighten Up!

This little guy can help!

(I'll have what he's having. LOL! Actually, he's just excited it's the Roman Sacristan's birthday today!)
So...
Let's make it a party!

Addictive, aren't they?

Comparison of Prayers - 31st Sunday Per Annum

"Moses with the Ten Commandments" by Philippe Champaigne

Collect (Opening Prayer)

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Omnípotens et miséricors Deus, de cuius múnere venit, ut tibi a fidélibus tuis digne et laudabíliter serviátur, tríbue, quaésumus, nobis, ut ad promissiónes tuas sine offensióne currámus.
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 of power and mercy, only with your help can we offer fitting service and praise. May we live the faith we profess and trust your promise of eternal life.
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.

My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. Almighty and Merciful God, from Whose gift it comes, that Your faithful serve You worthily and laudably, grant to us, we beseech You, that we may run to Your promises without stumbling.
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
Fiat hoc sacrifícium, Dómine, oblátio tibi munda, et nobis misericórdiæ tuæ sancta largítio.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation(Used at Mass in English)
God of mercy, may we offer a pure sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

My Own Literal Translation
O Lord, may this Sacrifice be a spotless oblation to You, and a holy outpouring of Your Mercy on us.
Through Christ our Lord.

Post-Communion Prayer

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Augeátur in nobis, quaésumus, Dómine, tuæ virtútis operátio, ut, refécti cæléstibus sacraméntis, ad eórum promíssa capiénda tua múnere præparémur.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation(Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. Lord, you give us new hope in this eucharist. May the power of your love continue its saving work among us and bring us to the joy you promise.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. May the workings of Your strength, we beseech You, O Lord, be made abundant in us, so that, having been refreshed by these Heavenly Sacraments, we may by Your gift be prepared for taking hold of that which they promise.
Through Christ our Lord.

I think one of the hardest things about translating the prayers is that you really can't use the English translations in the Sacramentary to help you. Not only are so many words translated in an odd way, but even the sense of the text is usually lost or greatly distorted. There have been several occasions I have to make sure I am on the correct week when I do compare them, since they are so different.

Plenary Indulgence on All Souls

“Saint Gregory Delivers A Soul From Purgatory” by Giovanni Batista

Please pray for the faithful departed throughout the month of November, and especially today, Novmeber 2nd. The Church gives us ample opportunities today to help those suffering in Purgatory. All the faithful can seek to obtain a plenary indulgence for a soul in Purgatory, and priests are allowed to say three Masses today (one for whatever intention they have, one for the Souls in Purgatory, and one for the Pope). We would certainly want people to help us through their prayers if we go to Purgatory. And if we help get someone to Heaven, you can be sure that they will help us and pray for us before the Throne of God.

Requirements for
Obtaining a Plenary Indulgence on All Souls Day (Nov. 2nd)

- Piously visit a church to pray for the faithful departed

- Say one “Our Father” and the “Creed” in the visit to the church

- Say one “Our Father” and one “Hail Mary” for the intentions of the Pope

- Worthily receive Holy Communion (ideally on the same day)

- Make a Sacramental Confession within a week of (before or after) All Souls Day

- that one be free from all attachment to sin, even venial sin.

or

Requirements for
Obtaining a Plenary Indulgence from Nov. 1st to Nov. 8th

- Devoutly visit a cemetery and pray for the dead.

- Say one “Our Father” and one “Hail Mary” for the intentions of the Pope

- Worthily receive Holy Communion (ideally on the same day)

- Make a Sacramental Confession within a week of (before or after) All Souls Day

- that one be free from all attachment to sin, even venial sin.

The “Technical” Stuff

“1. An indulgence is the remission in the eyes of God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose culpable element has already been taken away. The Christian faithful who are rightly disposed and observe the definite, prescribed conditions gain this remission through the effective assistance of the Church, which, as the minister of redemption, authoritatively distributes and applies the treasury of the expiatory works of Christ and the Saints.”
- Handbook of Indulgences, Norms

“22. The prescribed work for gaining a plenary indulgence attached to a church or oratory is a devout visit there, which includes the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer and the Creed (Pater Noster and Credo), unless otherwise stated in a specific grant.”
- Handbook of Indulgences, Norms

“23. 1. Besides the exclusion of all attachment to sin, even venial sin, the requirements for gaining a Plenary Indulgence are the performance of the indulgenced work and fulfillment of three conditions: Sacramental Confession, Eucharistic Communion, and prayer for the Pope’s intentions.
2. Several Plenary Indulgences may be gained on the basis of a single Sacramental Confession; only one may be gained, however, on the basis of a single Eucharistic Communion and prayer for the Pope’s intentions.
3. The three conditions may be carried out several days preceding or following performance of the prescribed work. But it is more fitting that the Communion and the prayer for the Pope’s intentions take place on the day the work is performed.
4. If a person is not fully disposed or if the prescribed work and the three mentioned conditions are not fulfilled, the Indulgence will only be partial ...”
5. The condition requiring prayer for the Pope’s intentions is satisfied by reciting once the Our Father and Hail Mary for his intentions (Pater Noster and Ave Maria); nevertheless all the faithful have the option of reciting any other prayer suited to their own piety and devotion.”
- Handbook of Indulgences, Norms

67. Visiting a Church or an Oratory on All Souls Day
A Plenary Indulgence, which is applicable only to the Souls in Purgatory is granted to the Christian faithful who devoutly visit a church or an oratory on (November 2nd,) All Souls Day.
- Handbook of Indulgences, Grants

13. Visiting a cemetery
An indulgence is granted the Christian faithful who devoutly visit a cemetery and pray, if only mentally, for the dead, This indulgence is applicable only to the souls in purgatory. This indulgence is a plenary one from November 1 through November 8 and can be granted on each one of these days. On the other days of the year this indulgence is a partial one.
- Handbook of Indulgences, Grants

Happy All Saints Day

Just a reminder, All Saints is not just a day when we remember all the Saints we do know, like Saint Francis of Assisi, Saint Benedict, Saint Padre Pio, etc., but we also remember all those humble servants of God whom we don't know, yet who died in the state of grace.

Full day at the parish since it is a Holy Day of Obligation.