Importance of the Liturgy

Fr. Z. has a good post regarding the liturgy and it's importance.

It is short and to the point, so I encourage you to read it.

"Save the Liturgy, Save the World."

RS

5 Random Things About Me

I just noticed I was tagged by dadwithnoisykids for the MEME "5 random things about you"

1) I balance my checkbook with a $300 (at the time it was bought 16 years ago) Hewlett-Packard calulator which uses RPN (Reverse Polish Notation)

2) My grandmother began to spoon-fed me coffee when I was about 2 years old, and I have been drinking coffee for the next 32 years. I am 6ft 3in tall (so I don't think it stunts your growth.

3) My name is on two published nuclear physics papers (before I switched to Theology, I was a physics major and did nuclear research data analysis for two summers).

4) I have never seen the movie "E.T. the The Extra-Terrestrial" (and I am proud of that too)

5) I have met Chuck Yeager.

I would like to tag, Fr. Z. of What Does the Prayer Really Say, Joee Bloggs, Fr. Stephanos of Me monk. Me meander., Matt at Absolutely No Spin, and Thomas the American Papist.

RS

Comparison of Prayers - 4th Sunday Per Annum

"Saint Paul Preaching In Athens" by Raphael

Collect (Opening Prayer)

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Concéde nobis, Dómine Deus noster, ut te tota mente venerémur, et omnes hómines rationábili diligámus afféctu.
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 our God, help us to love you with all our hearts and to love all men as you love them.
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. Grant to us, O Lord our God, that we may venerate You with all our mind, and may love all men with rational good will.
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
Altáribus tuis, Dómine, múnera nostræ servitútis inférimus, quæ, placátus assúmens, sacraméntum nostræ redemptiónis effícias.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Lord, be pleased with the gifts we bring to your altar, and make them the sacrament of our salvation.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

My Own Literal Translation
We bring to Your altars, O Lord, the gifts of our servitude, which, receiving them acceptingly, You may make the Sacrament of our redemption.
Through Christ our Lord.

Post-Communion Prayer

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Redemptiónis nostræ múnere vegitáti, quaésumus, Dómine, † ut hoc perpétuæ salútis auxílio fides semper vera profíciat.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. Lord, you invigorate us with this help to our salvation. By this eucharist give the true faith continued growth throughout the world.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. Having been nourished by this Gift of our redemption, we humbly beseech You, O Lord, that the true Faith may always increase by this Aid of our everlasting salvation.
Through Christ our Lord.

RS

Commemoration of Saint Ananias

Saint Ananias Baptizing Saint Paul

Today, January 25th, is the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul. However, related to that conversion is the Saint who is also commemorated today, Saint Ananias. [Not to be confused with the Ananias in the Acts of the Apostle who incurred God's wrath because of his lack of generosity before Saint Peter.

The Bible says this about Saint Ananias:

Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Here I am, Lord." And the Lord said to him, "Rise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for a man of Tarsus named Saul; for behold he is praying, and he has seen a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight." But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call upon Your Name." But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine to carry My Name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of My Name." So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus Who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was Baptized, and took food and was strengthened.

- Acts 9: 10-19

The 2004 Roman Martyrology has this entry:

2004 Roman Martyrology
Commemorátio sancti Ananíæ, qui, discípulus Dómini, Damásci Paulum convérsum baptizávit.

Translation
The commemoration of Saint Ananias, who, a disciple of the Lord, Baptized the converted Paul at Damascus.

Appropriately, I also learned that there is a relic of Saint Ananias in Rome at the Bascilica of Saint Paul's outside the walls. Unfortunately, I did not know about the room of relics and have never seen this in person. But I would love to see this room and learn what other relics of Saints are there.


You can read the label [click the picture to "embiggen"] on Saint Ananias' skull in the middle which says:
"Caput S. Ananiae Discipuli Domini"
"The head of S. Ananias, Disciple of the Lord"

Unfortunately, I can't make out the words on the other relics with it.

Sancti Paule et Anania, orate pro nobis.

RS

Of course

It shouldn't take an Einstein to figure out these:


Good to know Einstein proves my theories correct. :P

RS

Name popularity

Here's an interesting site which tracks the popularity of names over the last 120 years. As expected, Christian names have dropped in popularity over the last several decades. Although you can also see that "normal" names have also become less frequent too.

The Baby Name Wizard's Name Voyager

It is a neat tool though. You can just type in any name and it will give you the graph for any name beginning with what you typed, and if you hit enter again, you'll get it for just the name you typed.

Ha. My name has become more popular over the years, as shown below.


Another thing I noticed is that all the names seem to start dropping after the 1960's. The graph is based on number of children with that name in a year. I think part of that is not only names becoming less popular, but also the drop in birthrates after the pill and legalized abortion.

I still don't understand what is up with the bizzarre spellings of names nowadays. Even if it a normal name people are changing the letters so it will be "unique" e.g. instead of "Christine" it will be "Krysteen." Of course what is worse is some of the truly unique names people come up with, e.g. "Dweezel" or "Moon Unit." Nouns are probably best avoided also in my opinion.

RS

Is it the plane or the pilot?

I've always enjoyed airplanes.

Wow, the Boeing 777 appears to be able to handle crosswinds rather well.

Some of these angles of approach are insane, yet in spite of the song's title "Boom!" there is not one crash.



It seems to pass the stress test rather well. I'd say if your wings are getting that much stress, you've got a bit more of a problem than turbulence.



RS

Coffee

Benjamin Franklin once said: "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."

I think the same thing can be said about coffee, especially cappuccino.

I am tired today.


RS

Saint Basil the Great on abortion

A woman who deliberately destroys a fetus is answerable for murder. And any fine distinction between its being completely formed or unformed is not admissible among us.

-Saint Basil the Great (A.D. 329-379)

This quote is very useful in today's society where the arguments to support abortion often involve trying to redefine the child in the womb to something that is not yet specifically human, or it is "just" a fetus, etc.

Firstly, this quote shows that abortion has been around quite a while, it is nothing new. And the Church has always shown that abortion is wrong.
Saint Basil also cuts through all the legalistic twisting of language and simply puts it that this a human life, and abortion is a wrongful taking of that human life.

I truly believe that the people of America know this in their hearts, and science has shown this to be true. Very simply put, it's axiomatic that when a human egg and a human sperm combine at conception that a human life is created. Genetically you can see it is human, and that it is alive.

Murder is the deliberate taking of an innocent human life and abortion does just that.

This is so serious that the penalty of immediate excommunication is a result of those who have or assist in an abortion. This penalty is immediate, no declaration of excommunication from an authority in the Church is needed. The Church doesn't have to declair it, those who have or participate in this act bring it upon themselves by their actions.

However, the mercy of the Church is also revealed in this. This is the only excommunication, of which I am aware, that can be lifted by a priest if those guilty of this sin sincerely confess this. Given the gravity of abortion, this is an amazing act of mercy on the part of the Church.

As I posted previously, may this day be a day of prayer and penance, not only for those readers in the United States, but those in other parts of the world as well. I am sure that many of you who read this from other countries have legalized abortion where you live as well.

May God bring about a change in laws around the world, so that the right to life, liberty, and the prsuit of happiness will be given to all. May he also convert those who support, perform, or assist in abortions (including the "chemical abortions" that often occur with the use of certain contraceptives, such as the pill). And may he have mercy on anyone who has had or participated in an abortion, and bring about true repentance, conversion, and salvation.

Contrary to popular or media opinion, the Church does not want to damn people to hell. What the Church does want to do is teach mankind God's laws and how to obey them, so that we may all act according to God's Will and obtain His salvation.

May the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus have mercy on us.
And may our Lady of Guadalupe, the Patroness of the unborn pray for us.



RS

Monday, January 22nd, is a day of Penance

Louis the Pious doing penance.

As a reminder to all readers in the United States (and even for those in other countries as well), Monday, January 22nd is the 34th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade:

On this anniversary of the Supreme Court decision, Roe vs. Wade (1973), this day shall be observed in all dioceses of the United States as a particular day of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion, and of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarentee of the right to life (GIRM, #373).

RS

Feast of Pope Saint Fabian and Saint Sebastian

Today is the feast of Pope Saint Fabian, and Pope Saint Sebastian.

Although they are separate feasts liturgically, not only are they celebrated on the same day, but they are also venerated in the same place.

Now there is some ambiguity over where the remains of Pope Saint Fabian are. Some books say they are at the catacombs of Saint Callistus, although other books say his remains are at the church of the catacombs of Saint Sebastian.


There is a side chapel off to the right of the sanctuary which has a statue of Pope Saint Fabian, and some of his relics are either in the altar or buried beneath the floor of the chapel.


The catacombs below the church are named after Saint Sebastian who was originally buried in the catacombs. It is a rather extensive maze of tunnels. There is a "large" (compared to the tunnels) chapel in the place where Saint Sebastian's body was originally located. Eventually, a church was build above the catacombs and his body was moved to a side altar in the church which bears his name.


Another interesting relic on the other side of the church is one of the arrows which shot Saint Sebastian.


As I've mentioned earlier, it's really good to get to know the Saints. They can be very helpful, not only in their example, but also through their intercessions and guidance. Visiting tombs and seeing relics can really help you to gain a closeness to the Saints, even more than reading about them. I've been very blessed to be able to visit so many places in Rome and other parts of Italy as well. I would highly recommend that if you get an opportunity to make a pilgrimage you should take it.

My next desire is to make a pilgimage to the Holy Land.

RS

Comparison of Prayers - 3rd Sunday Per Annum

"Christ in the Synagogue" by Gustave Dore

Collect (Opening Prayer)

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Omnípotens sempitérne Deus, dírige actus nostros in beneplácito tuo, ut in nómine dilécti Fílii tui mereámur bonis opéribus abundáre.
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. All-powerful and ever-living God, direct your love that is within us, that our efforts in the name of your Son may bring mankind to unity and peace.
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, guide our acts in Your good Will, so that in the Name of Your beloved Son we may be made worthy to abound in good works.
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
Múnera nostra, Dómine, súscipe placátus, quæ sanctificándo nobis, quaésumus, salutaria fore concéde.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Lord, receive our gifts. Let our offerings make us holy and bring us to salvation.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.

My Own Literal Translation
Having been appeased, O Lord, accept our gifts, which are about to be sanctified for us, and grant, we humbly beseech You, that they may become our means of salvation.
Through Christ our Lord.

Post-Communion Prayer

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Præsta nobis, quaésumus, omnípotens Deus, ut, vivificatiónis tuæ grátiam consequéntes, in tuo semper múnere gloriémur.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. God, all-powerful Father, may the new life you give us increase our love and keep us in the joy of your kingdom.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. Grant to us, we humbly beseech You, Almighty God, that, obtaining Your life-giving grace, we may always glory in Your gift.
Through Christ our Lord.

RS

Saint Anthony of the Desert

"Madonna and Child with Saint Anthony the Abbot and Saint Paul the Hermit" by Paulo Veronese

Today is the Feast of Saint Anthony of the Desert, aka Saint Antony, Saint Anthony the Abbot, aka Saint Anthony the Great (in Eastern rite circles).

He is commonly called the Father of Monasticism. He may not have been the first monk, but he was probably one of the first well known due to Saint Athanasius of Alexandria writing about him. And this through this writing the example of Saint Anthony's life has had a great influence on the Church in both the East and the West. Most notably on Saint Basil the Great, the greatest influence on monasticsm in the East, and Saint Benedict, considered the father of monasticsm in the West.

In art Saint Anthony is often represented with Saint Paul the Hermit based on a meeting between the two.

You can read his life here:

Life of Saint Anthony by Saint Athanasius (at New Advent)

There is also a site that has pictures of the monastery which was built where Saint Anthony lived in Egypt. It is one of the oldest monasteries in the world and is kept by Coptic Orthodox monks. This site appears to be made by someone who has visited the monastery, not a monk of it, so I can't vouch for the accuracy. However the pictures are interseting. I would love to see Saint Anthony's cave.

Steps that lead to Saint Anthony's cave 1050ft up the mountain.

Saint Anthony's cave.

(There are a couple of popup ads on every page that can get through a popup blocker. I cannot vouch for the ads.)

Monastery of Saint Anthony the Great

RS

Under Construction

I am also going to fiddle around with my template. I am upgrading it so it can supposedly be easier to edit. So if anything looks odd, be patient. Hopefully we can get this looking better.

EDIT - Well, that should work for now. The new "widget" method of editing is a bit simpler, but it seems to limit me since it just adds more confusion for me in looking at the HTML code, and I can't just cut and paste things from the old template. But it doesn't look too bad, so I'll tweak it more later.

EDIT2 - Got the sidebar pretty much under control, although they don't have a "most recent posts" feature anymore, so I guess you'll just have to [gasp] scroll down for older posts. :P At least I finally got Saint Francis up.

EDIT3 - For those contemplating converting your template, just realize that you will probably lose any custom edits you made to your old one. So you will have to make sure you add back your link list, site counters, and other custom things. It is not that hard, just tedious if you have a lot of extra stuff.

RS

Sacred Music Resource

I'm suprised I haven't put this on my sidebar or mentioned it, but there is an excellent sacred music and liturgical resource at Musica Sacra.

The have pdf files of some great resources:

Tridentine Roman Missal of 1961

Graduale Romanum of 1961

And many liturgical documents and other references. Lots to dig through, and it is always being updated with new things. You'll need a pdf reader, but that is easily available on the web.

RS

The Weather

Just thought I would post on the weather as I sit here at home while the U.S. gets gut-punched.
People in Texas get into a frenzy about winter weather. I'm sure weather like this hits up north all the time. Here, you would think a minor Armageddon is coming. I went to the store last night around 10:30 p.m. and had to wait to checkout. There were several shelves that were pretty picked over too. Yet, every time we have "winter weather" in our neck of the woods it usually melts off the next day. Yesterday you could wear shorts because it was 67 degrees F out. Even if this cold snap is a bit longer, I can't imagine people being "snowed in" for more than a few days.
However, the media is what always gets me. You'd think that this ice storm is the reason the Doomsday clock is being moved forward again. I see weather news articles with descriptions like "slams" and "cripples" in the titles. It just reminds me how news is such a business rather than a service.
So, here is your simple public service announcement from the Roman Sacristan: "Watch for ice"


RS

Comparison of Prayers - 2nd Sunday Per Annum

"Christ Turning the Water to Wine at the Wedding Feast of Cana" by Carl Heinrich Bloch

It's always disturbed me that I.C.E.L. can't capitalize Eucharist (even though that word is not even in the original Latin).

Collect (Opening Prayer)

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Omnípotens sempitérne Deus, qui cæléstia simul et terréna moderáris, supplicatiónes pópuli tui cleménter exáudi, et pacem tuam nostris concéde tempóribus.
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 heaven and earth, hear our prayers, and show us the way to peace in the world.
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 eternal God, You Who at the same time govern the Heavens and the earth, lovingly give ear to the supplications of Your people, and grant Your peace in our temporal affairs.
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 nobis, quaésumus, Dómine, hæc digne frequentáre mystéria, quia, quóties huius hóstiæ commemorátio celebrátur, opus nostræ redemptiónis exercétur.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Father, may we celebrate the eucharist with reverence and love, for when we proclaim the death of the Lord you continue the work of his redemption,
who is Lord for ever and ever.

My Own Literal Translation
Grant to us, we beseech You, O Lord, to frequent these Mysteries worthily, for, as often as the commemoration of this Sacrifice is celebrated, the work of our redemption is carried on.
Through Christ our Lord.

Post-Communion Prayer

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Spíritum nobis, Dómine, tuæ caritátis infúnde, ut, quos uno cælésti pane satiásti, una fácias pietáte concórdes.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. Lord, you have nourished us with bread from heaven. Fill us with your Spirit, and make us one in peace and love.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. O Lord, pour forth the Spirit of Your love upon us, so that, those whom You have nourished with the one Heavenly Bread, You may make united in the one Act of piety.
Through Christ our Lord.

RS

Comparison of Prayers - Baptism of the Lord

"The Baptism of Christ" by Mattia Preti

Since the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord was not on Sunday, it didn't fall into the normal line up of Comparison of Prayers, but I did translate it, so here it is, better late than never.

Collect (Opening Prayer)

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Omnípotens sempitérne Deus, qui Christum, in Iordáne flúmine baptizátum, Spíritu Sancto super eum descendénte, diléctum Fílium tuum sollémniter declarásti, concéde fíliis adoptiónis tuæ, ex aqua et Spíritu Sancto renátis, ut in beneplácito tuo iúgiter 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. Almighty, eternal God, when the Spirit descended upon Jesus at his baptism in the Jordan, you revealed him as your own beloved Son. Keep us, your children born of water and the Spirit, faithful to our calling.
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, when the Holy Spirit descended upon Christ, having been baptized in the Jordan river, You solemnly declared Him Your Beloved Son, grant to Your adopted children, reborn of water and the Holy Spirit, that it may always please You to preserve them.
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 múnera, Dómine, in delécti Fílii tui revelatióne deláta, ut fidélium tuórum oblátio in eius sacrifícium tránseat, qui mundi vóluit peccáta miserátus ablúere.
Qui vivit et regnat in saécula sæculórum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Lord, we celebrate the revelation of Christ your Son who takes away the sins of the world. Accept our gifts and let them become one with his sacrifice,
for he is Lord for ever and ever.

My Own Literal Translation
Lord, receive the gifts brought for the revelation of Your beloved Son, so that the oblation of Your faithful may be transformed into His Sacrifice, Who having felt compassion desired to wash away the sins of the world.
Who lives and reigns forever and ever.

Preface
Preface of the Baptism of the Lord

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Vere dignum et iustum est, æquum et salútare, nos tibi semper et ubíque grátias ágere: Dómine, sancte Pater, omnípotens ætérne Deus:
Qui miris signásti mystériis novum in Iordáne lavácrum, ut, per vocem de cælo delápsam, habitáre Verbum tuum inter hómines crederétur; et, per Spíritum in colúmbæ spécie descendéntem, Christus Servus tuus óleo perúngi lætítiæ ac mitti ad evangelizándum paupéribus noscerétur.
Et ídeo cum cælórum virtútibus in terris te iúgiter celebrámus, maiestáti tuæ sine fine clamántes:
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 celebrated your new gift of baptism by signs and wonders at the Jordan. Your voice was heard from heaven to awaken faith in the presence among us of the Word made man.Your spirit was seen as a dove, revealing Jesus as your servant, and anointing him with joy as the Christ, sent to bring the poor the good news of salvation.
In our unending joy we echo on earth the song of the angels in heaven as they praise your glory for ever:
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:
You designated the new waters of Baptism at the Jordan through marvelous Mysteries, so that, through Your voice coming down from Heaven, Your Word would be believed to dwell among men; and through Your Spirit descending in the likeness of a dove, Christ Your Servant would be recognized to be anointed with the oil of gladness and sent to preach the Gospel to the poor.
And so, joined with the powers of Heaven, we on earth praise You, proclaiming Your Majesty without end:
Holy, Holy, Holy ...

Post-Communion Prayer

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Sacro múnere satiáti, cleméntiam tuam, Dómine, supplíciter exorámus, ut, Unigénitum tuum fidéliter audiéntes, fílii tui vere nominémur et simus.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. Lord, you feed us with bread from heaven. May we hear your Son with faith and become your children in name and in fact.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. Having been filled with this sacred Gift, we humbly entreat Your kind Mercy, O Lord, so that, faithfully listening to Your Only-begotten Son, we may be called and truly be Your children.
Through Christ our Lord.

RS

Reading List Bleg

Quick blog question (bleg) for any readers.

I am about to finish the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy "Trilogy" (actually five books) and was thinking of what leisure reading to do next.

I was wondering if anyone has read A Canticle for Liebowitz and whether that was enjoyable, especially from a Catholic perspective. Honestly, I don't want to know anything about the book, just whether it is worth reading or not. I prefer getting into a book with no preconcieved ideas or expectations. (I think that is why I enjoyed Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy so much.)

I am also mildly curious about The Illuminatus! Trilogy. I would love a book that makes fun of conspiracy theories, but I can't really tell what the angle is of this work.

RS

Epiphany Announcement Sung

Yours truly singing the Epiphany Announcement.

SemperFiCatholic Radio

Click the link above and then find the line labeled: "Annuntiatio Paschæ Festorumque Mobilium Anno Dómini 2007"

Translation is in an earlier post or you can click here:

Announcement of the Movable Feasts

Couldn't figure out a way to host a pdf file of the text with the chant, so you'll have to make do with the screenshots of the music above. You can click on the pics to enlarge them though.

RS

Place Your Bets

If only Eve had had a fluffy pet bunny back in the Garden of Eden!

If snakes could be embarassed, this one would be the shame of the species! LOL!



EDIT - Stupid parody alert. How about:

"Snake on the Plain"
Samuel L. Jackson: "We need to put a bunny between us and these snakes."
(yes, it's the clean version)

RS

Support of Freer use of the 1962 Missale Romanum

I just saw a post over at The New Liturgical Movement supporting any initiative to free up the use of the 1962 Missal. Please view their declaration.

Epiphany Declaration Published: English Speaking Writers and Intellectuals Join Chorus of International Support for possible Papal Motu Proprio
DECLARATION SUPPORTING ANY PAPAL INITIATIVE
TO ALLOW THE FREER USE OF THE 1962 MISSALE ROMANUM

I would like to add my name to that petition as well:

Roman Sacristan, parishoner and blogger (USA)
EDIT- I might also add that I was born post 1969, so it isn't a nostalgia thing.
I want my heritage back.

RS

San Carlo da Sezze

One of the few positive results about Epiphany being moved to the Sunday following January 6th is that today I can celebrate the feast of a good friend of mine, San Carlo da Sezze (Saint Charles of Sezze).
He's not a well known Saint outside of Italy, and from what I can gather outside of Sezze and Rome either.

He is another Saint I pretty much stumbled upon in Rome when I was visiting San Francesco a Ripa where is body is in a side altar.


I was just visiting the church because of my devotion to Saint Francis and this was one of the churches he would stay at in Rome.

I hear you can also visit San Carlo's cell at San Francesco a Ripa, but unfortunately I have never had any of the friars there be helpful in this. The sacristan would send me to the office, the office would send me to the sacristan (this is a textbook example of Italian bureaucracy, LOL). Thankfully his body is in the main church, so the only thing you have to worry about is if the church is open (and as most small churches in Italy, they do take siestas).

Although San Carlo was an uneducated lay-brother of the Franciscans, God gave him quite a spiritual insight and apparently wrote several books. He had a great devotion to Saint Theresa of Avila who was his inspiration and intercessor for spiritual knowledge.

He lived a very austere life and had a great love for the Blessed Sacrament. He even received the stigmata in the form of the wound in Christ's side when he devoutly prayed at the door of a church where the Blessed Sacrament was being exposed for adoration. A ray of light came forth from the Host and pierced his side. I believe the church was San Giuseppe a Capole Case if my research is correct, which is in the area between the Spanish Steps and the Trevi fountain in Rome.


San Carlo's writings are hard to find in English, but I did manage to obtain a copy of his autobiography. It is a fascinating book as it not only tells of his life, but also gives us a glimpse of Franciscan religious life back in the 1600's. Wow! Talk about penance and austerities.

I'm not sure why there are so many varying dates for his feast day. The current Roman Martyrology has his feast as today. I'm not sure why the patron saints index has his feast listed as tommorrow and I have even less understanding of why Butler's has him listed on January 10th. January 6th is the most reasonable since it is the day San Carlo died.

Anyway, I present another friend for you to get to know. As Pope John Paul II said, we must encourage a LIVED theology of the Saints. Go out and read some lives of the Saints, find one you like, and pray to them. They will help you out.

And if you can obtain a copy of San Carlo's autobiography, I highly encourage you to read it.



RS

Announcement of the Movable Feasts

Another thing which I found in the appendix of the new 2002 Latin Roman Missal is the text and music for an ancient tradition where the movable feasts of Our Lord are announced for the current year. This is done after the Gospel but before the homily and is ordinarily done by the deacon, although it can be done by the priest or a cantor as well.
I'll be singing the announcement in Latin at our parish, and we hope to record it and get it up on the web. More info on that later.
The music is pretty simple to learn. I am working on getting a copy of this year's text with the music available for you to download. If I can get the logicstics of that figured out (making a pdf and hosting the file) I'll put it here. In the mean time, here is the text.

(If you don't have the Announcement sung in Latin after the Gospel in your parish, you need to tell you pastor to get with the times. This is in the NEW 2002 Roman Missal. I mean, this is cutting edge! :D )

from the 2002 Missale Romanum
Annuntiatio Paschæ Festorumque Mobilium Anno Dómini 2007

(Rubricus: In Epiphanía Dómini, cantáto Evangélio, diáconus vel cantor ex ambóne, e vetústo Ecclésiæ sanctæ institúto, pronúntiat festa mobília anni currentis iuxta hanc formulam:)

Novéritis, fratres caríssimi, quod annuénte Dei misericórdia, sicut Nativitáte Dómini nostri Iesu Christi gavísi sumus, ita et de Resurrectióne eiúsdem Salvatóris nostri gáudium vobis annuntiámus.

Die vigésima prima februáriis dies Cínerum, et inítium ieiúnii sacratíssimæ Quadragésimæ.

Die octáva aprílis sanctum Pascha Dómini nostri Iesu Christi cum gáudio celebrábitis.

Die vigésima maii erit Ascénsio Dómini nostri Iesu Christi.

Die vigésima séptima eiúsdem festum Pentecóstes.

Die décima iúnii festum sanctíssimi Córporis et Sánguinis Christi.

Die secúnda decémbris domínica prima Advéntus Dómini nostri Iesu Christi, cui est honor et glória, in saécula sæculórum. Amen.

My literal translation
Announcement of Easter and Movable Feasts in the Year of Our Lord 2007

(Rubric: On the Epiphany of the Lord, the Gospel having been chanted, the deacon or the cantor from the ambo, from the ancient custom of the holy Church, announces the movable feasts of the current year following this formula:)

Know, dearly beloved brethren, that, acknowledging that by the mercy of God, just as we have been rejoicing in the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, so also do we announce to you the joy of the Resurrection of our same Savior.

On the 21st day of February, Ash Wednesday begins the fast of the most holy Forty Days (Lent).

On the 8th day of April, you will celebrate with joy the holy Easter of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The 20th day of May will be the Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

The 27th day of the same month will be the Feast of Pentecost.

The 10th day of June will be the Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

The 2nd day of December will be the First Sunday in the Advent of Our Lord Jesus Christ, to Whom be honor and glory, forever and ever. Amen.

Comparison of Prayers - Epiphany Mass during the Day

"Adoration of the Magi" by Rubens

You may be asking yourself why I have "Mass during the Day" in the title, but that is answered in the post below for the Epiphany Vigil Mass prayers. Long story short, there is no Vigil Mass in the current English Sacramentary because the Vigil Mass for Ephiphany was reinstated with the 2002 revision of the Roman Missal. So, if you go to an English Mass for Epiphany either on the day or the vigil, you will hear the prayers in this post.

Collect (Opening Prayer)

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Deus, qui hodiérna die Unigénitum tuum géntibus stella duce revelásti, concéde propítius, ut qui iam te ex fide congóvimus, usque ad contemplándam spéciem tuæ celsitúdinis perducámur.
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, you revealed your Son to the nations by the guidance of a star. Lead us to your glory in heaven by the light of faith.
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. O God, Who by a guiding star on this day revealed Your Only-begotten Son to the Gentiles, mercifully grant, that we who have already come to know You through faith, may be brought to the contemplation of the beauty of Your Majesty.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, You Son, Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.

Prayer Over the Gifts

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Ecclésiæ tuæ, quaésumus, Dómine, dona propítius intuére, quibus non iam aurum, tus et myrrha profértur, sed quod eísdem munéribus declarátur, immolátur et súmitur, Iesus Christus.
Qui vivit et regnat in saécula sæculórum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Lord, accept the offerings of your Church, not gold, frankincense and myrrh, but the sacrifice and food they symbolize: Jesus Christ,
who is Lord for ever and ever.

My Own Literal Translation
Graciously look down, we beseech You, O Lord, on the offerings of Your Church, by which gold, frankincense and myrrh are no longer offered, but He Who is manifested by these offerings, is sacrificed and received, Jesus Christ.
Who lives and reigns forever and ever.

Preface
Preface of Epiphany: Of Christ, the Light of the Gentiles

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:
Quia ipsum in Christo salútis nostræ mystérium hódie ad lumen géntium revelásti, et, cum in substántia nostræ mortalitátis appáruit, nova nos immortalitátis eius glória reparásti.
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.
Today you revealed in Christ your eternal plan of salvation and showed him as the light of all peoples. Now that his glory has shown among us you have renewed humanity in his immortal image.
Now, with angels and archangels, and the whole company of heaven, we sing the unending hymn of your 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:
For, today You revealed the Mystery of our salvation Itself in Christ as the Light of the gentiles, and, when He appeared in the substance of our mortality, You restored us with the new glory of His Immortality.
And so, with the Angels and Archangels, with the Thrones and the Dominations, 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. Cælésti lúmine, quaésumus, Dómine, semper et ubíque nos praéveni, ut mystérium, cuius nos partícipes esse voluísti, et puro cernámus intúitu, et digno percipiámus afféctu.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. Father, guide us with your light. Help us to recognize Christ in this eucharist and welcome him with love,
for he is Lord for ever and ever.

My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. We beseech You, O Lord, always and everywhere to go before us with Your celestial light, that the Mystery, of Which You have willed us to be participants, we may discern by pure contemplation, and receive with fitting dispositions.
Through Christ our Lord.

RS

Comparison of Prayers - Epiphany Vigil Mass

"Adoration of the Magi" by Rubens

This comparison is really not quite a comparison. Apparently in the Pauline Rite, the Vigil Mass of the Epiphany was done away with. However, in the 2002 revision of the Roman Missal, the Vigil Mass was reinstated, however, the prayers are different from the Tridentine Roman Missal. Therefore, there are no English translastions of these prayers. If you go to a Vigil Mass for Epiphany in English, you will just hear the prayers from the Epiphany Mass of the Day.

My translations may need to be tighented up a bit, this is the first time I have translated these, so they could probably use some tweaking. Any corrections or suggestions are appreciated.

The preface is the same as the Mass of the Day, so there is an I.C.E.L. translation for that. In the preface, I have decided to stick with the actual names of the choirs of Angels mentioned, ie "Thrones" and "Dominations," even though the helpful Lewis & Short has a translation of them as "angelic order" and "spiritual powers." I figure we are talking about the Angelic choirs, who have names, singing the Sanctus to God, so let's keep their names.

I also debated on whether to translate "gentes" as "gentiles" or "nations." I decided to go with "gentiles" since that seems a bit more appropriate to this feast. "Nations" sounds a bit modern and tends to lose the significance of Christ revealing himself to the non-Jews as represented in the Magi. However, in a broader sense, "nations" does work. But it does lose some of the beauty in my opinion.

Collect (Opening Prayer)

Official Latin from the 2002 Roman Missal
Orémus. Corda nostra, quaésumus, Dómine, tuæ maiestátis splendor illústret, quo mundi huius ténebras transíre valeámus, et perveniámus ad pátriam claritátis ætérnæ.
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)
n/a

My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. May the splendor of Your majesty illumine our hearts, we beseech You, O Lord, which may make us prevail to pass through the darkness of this world, and come to the homeland of eternal light.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, You Son, Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.

Prayer Over the Gifts

Official Latin from the 2002 Roman Missal
Súscipe, quaésumus, Dómine, múnera nostra pro apparitióne Unigéniti Fílii tui et primítiis géntium dicáta, ut et tibi celebrétur laudátio et nobis fiat ætérna salvátio.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
n/a

My Own Literal Translation
Accept, we beseech You, O Lord, our gifts for the manifestation of Your Only-begotten Son and consecrate the first-fruits of the gentiles, that both praise may be given to You and eternal salvation may be given to us.
Through Christ our Lord.

Preface
Preface of Epiphany: Of Christ, the Light of the Gentiles

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:
Quia ipsum in Christo salútis nostræ mystérium hódie ad lumen géntium revelásti, et, cum in substántia nostræ mortalitátis appáruit, nova nos immortalitátis eius glória reparásti.
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.
Today you revealed in Christ your eternal plan of salvation and showed him as the light of all peoples. Now that his glory has shown among us you have renewed humanity in his immortal image.
Now, with angels and archangels, and the whole company of heaven, we sing the unending hymn of your 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:
For, today You revealed the Mystery of our salvation Itself in Christ as the Light of the gentiles, and, when He appeared in the substance of our mortality, You restored us with the new glory of His Immortality.
And so, with the Angels and Archangels, with the Thrones and the Dominations, 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 2002 Roman Missal
Orémus. Sacra alimónia renováti, tuam, Dómine, misericórdiam deprecámur, ut semper in méntibus nostris tuæ appáreat stella iustítiæ et noster in tua sit confessióne thesáurus.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
n/a

My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. Having been renewed by this sacred food, we humbly beseech Your mercy, O Lord, that Your star of justice may always appear in our minds and our treasure may be in our profession of faith in You.
Through Christ our Lord.

As I suspected ...

"Ecclesiastes"

saying to me: "vanity of vanities; all things are vanity"

Yup, that neat little tool which kept track of all the countries whence visitors had come was only a 14 day trial, and the free version is rather useless, so I dumped it.
Guess that is what I get for getting a tool that just stroked my ego. :P
Lesson learned.

RS

Comparison of Prayers - Holy Family

I just realized that in the hecticness of getting ready for travel, I forgot to post the Holy Family Comparison of Prayers. Sorry about that.

"The Holy Family" by Claudio Coello

Collect (Opening Prayer)

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Deus, qui præclára nobis sanctæ Famíliæ dignátus es exémpla præbére, concéde propítius, ut, domésticis virtútibus caritatísque vínculis illam sectántes, in lætítia domus tuæ praémiis fruámur ætérnis.
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, help us to live as the holy family, united in respect and love. Bring us to the joy and peace of your eternal home.
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. O God, You Who willed to hold up for us the noble example of the Holy Family, graciously grant, that, following them in the domestic virtues and bonds of charity, we may delight in the eternal rewards of Your house in joy.
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 placatiónis offérimus, Dómine, supplíciter deprecántes, ut, Deíparæ Vírginis beatíque Ioseph interveniénte suffrágio, famílias nostras in tua grátia fírmiter et pace constítuas.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation(Used at Mass in English)
Lord, accept this sacrifice and through the prayers of Mary, the virgin Mother of God, and of her husband, Joseph, unite our families in peace and love.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

My Own Literal Translation
We offer to You this pleasing Victim, O Lord, humbly begging, that, by the intercessory support of the God-bearing Virgin and Blessed Joseph, You might establish our families firmly in Your grace and peace.
Through Christ our Lord.

Preface
Preface I of the Nativity of the Lord: Of Christ the Light

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Vere dignum et iustum est, æquum et salútare, nos tibi semper et ubíque grátias ágere: Dómine, sancte Pater, omnípotens ætérne Deus:
Quia per incarnáti Verbi mystérium nova mentis nostræ óculis lux tuæ claritátis infúlsit: ut, dum visibíliter Deum cognóscimus, per hunc in invisibílium amórem rapiámur.
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 through Jesus Christ our Lord.
In the wonder of the incarnation your eternal Word has brought to the eyes of faith a new and radiant vision of your glory. In him we see our God made visible and so are caught up in love of the God we cannot see.
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:
Because, through the Mystery of the Incarnation of the Word, the new light of Your glory shined upon the eyes of our mind: so that, while we know God visibly, through Him we may be drawn to a love of things invisible.
And so, with the Angels and Archangels, with the Thrones and the Dominations, and with all the hosts of the Heavenly army, we sing the hymn to Your Glory, saying without end:
Holy, Holy, Holy ...

Post-Communion Prayer

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Quos cæléstibus réficis sacraméntis, fac, clementíssime Pater, sanctæ Famíliæ exémpla iúgiter imitári, ut, post ærúmnas saéculi, eius consórtium consequámur ætérnum.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation(Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. Eternal Father, we want to live as Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, in peace with you and one another. May this communion strengthen us to face the troubles of life.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.

My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. O most loving Father, make us, whom You refresh with these Heavenly Sacraments, to imitate the example of the Holy Family, so that, after the hardships of this world, we may attain His eternal fellowship.
Through Christ our Lord.

RS

I'm back

Whew. I am exhausted. OK, I am back from being the best man in a friend's wedding in California. It was a lot of fun since the groom, myself, and 3 other college buddies were able to get together, but boy was it an exhausting trip to do right after Christmas.

Wedding went well, it was simple but very beautiful because we were all able to focus on the real reason for being there, not on all the show. The Roman Sacristan was even in a tuxedo! :o

So, wow, in a way, I haven't blogged since last year. Well, I pray that 2007 will have may blessings for all the readers of this blog. As far a resolutions go, I haven't really made any new ones, except to try and continue working on prayer life, diet and exercise. No, they aren't original, but they are rather necessary, especially with all the irregular schedule and eating out over the past weekend with travel and wedding. However, it was great to have some really good meals with some really good friends.

As far as blogging goes, I do hope to have more quality posts, but we shall see. The "current format" appears to be working, so why fix what ain't broken, right? Plus I always figure the world can use some levity, otherwise we'll go insane. (OK, sure I think most of the world is insane, but we still need the levity ;)

It's good to be back, now we'll see if I can get things back in order.

Pax et Bonum,
RS