Saturday, February 22, 2025

The Novena

 Did you notice that all the days of the novena were properly posted?  Didn't think I would do it, didja.   Well, yes some of them were posted so late that it was too late for 90% or more of the western world to pray it on the right day.  But it was on time for here, in partibus infidelium, southern California.    Mostly.

And today, 22 February, in the traditional Roman Rite is the feast of St Peter's Chair at Antioch.  In the Bugninian Rite today's feast is combined with that of St Peter's Chair at Rome, which still occurs in January in the traditional Rite.

Here is some of what Dom Gueranger had to say about today's feast:


FEBRUARY 22: ST. PETER'S CHAIR AT ANTIOCH

From Dom Guéranger's The Liturgical Year.


We are called upon, a second time, to honour St. Peter’s chair: first, it was his pontificate in Rome; to-day, it is his episcopate at Antioch. The seven years spent by the prince of the apostles in the second of these cities, were the grandest glory she ever had; and they are too important a portion of the life of St. Peter to be passed by without being noticed in the Christian cycle.


Three years had elapsed since our Lord’s Ascension. The Church had already been made fruitful by martyrdom, and from Jerusalem she had spread into distant countries. Antioch, the first of the cities of Asia, had received the Gospel; and it was there that those who professed the faith of Jesus were first called Christians. Jerusalem was doomed to destruction for having not only refused to acknowledge, but even crucified, the Messias: it was time for Peter, in whom resided the supreme power, to deprive the faithless city of the honour she had heretofore enjoyed, of possessing within her walls the chair of the apostolate. It was towards the Gentiles that the Holy Spirit drove those clouds, which were shown to Isaias as the symbol of the holy apostles.[1] Accordingly, it is in Antioch, the third capital of the Roman Empire, that Peter first places the august throne, on which, as vicegerent of Christ, he presides over the universal Church.


But the progress of the apostles was so rapid; the conquests they made, in spite of every opposition, were so extensive, that the vicar of Christ was inspired to leave Antioch, after he had honoured it with the chair during the space of seven years. Alexandria, the second city of the empire, is also to be made a see of Peter; and Rome, the capital of the world, awaits the grand privilege for which God has long been preparing her. Onwards, then, does the prince advance, bearing with him the destinies of the Church; where he fixes his last abode, and where he dies, there will he have his successor in his sublime dignity of vicar of Christ. He leaves Antioch, making one of his disciples, Evodius, its bishop. Evodius succeeds Peter as bishop of Antioch; but that see is not to inherit the headship of the Church, which goes whithersoever Peter goes. He sends Mark, another of his disciples, to take possession, in his name, of Alexandria; and this Church he would have to be the second in the world, and though he has not ruled it in person, he raises it above that of Antioch. This done, he goes to Rome, where he permanently establishes that chair, on which he will live, and teach, and rule, in his successors, to the end of time.


And here we have the origin of the three great patriarchal sees, which were the object of so much veneration in the early ages: the first is Rome, invested with all the prerogatives of the prince of the apostles, which, when dying, he transmitted to her; the second is Alexandria, which owes her preeminence to Peter’s adopting her as his second see; the third is Antioch, whither he repaired in person, when he left Jerusalem to bring to the Gentiles the grace of adoption. If, therefore, Antioch is below Alexandria in rank, Alexandria never enjoyed the honour granted to Antioch, of having been governed, in person, by him whom Christ appointed to be the supreme pastor of His Church. Nothing, then, could be more just, than that Antioch should be honoured, as having, for seven years, had the privilege of being the centre of Christendom; and this is the object of to-day’s feast.


The children of the Church have a right to feel a special interest in every solemnity that is kept in memory of St. Peter. The father’s feast is a feast for the whole family; for to him it owes its very life. If there be but one fold, it is because there is but one Shepherd. Let us, then, honour Peter’s divine prerogative, to which Christianity owes its preservation; and let us often reflect upon the obligations we are under to the apostolic see. On the feast of the chair at Rome, we saw how faith is taught, and maintained, and propagated by the mother-Church, which has inherited the promises made to Peter. To-day, let us consider the apostolic see as the sole source of the legitimate power, whereby mankind is ruled and governed in all that concerns eternal salvation


The rest of the essay can be found here.   If you haven't seen this site before, it is well-worth bookmarking.  This Fraternity of St Peter parish is attempting to put all of Dom Gueranger's The Liturgical Year on line.  Here's what they have to say about the project:


This . . .  is part of the Liturgical Year Project at LYP.network, a project of the FSSP apostolate, St. Lawrence Church, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. We are in the process of transcribing and formatting the text of Dom Prosper Guéranger's massive 15-volume series, The Liturgical Year. His many meditations on the history and faith behind the feasts and the seasons of the Church's year have edified many people over the years, and we hope to share these with more people through our website and via email. 

 

Their main page is here



Friday, February 21, 2025

On Avoiding Disputes with the Silly and Other Useful Practices

 I've visited Fr Z's blog more or less daily for a very long time.  Years.  There's been a link over in the left-hand column of The Inn for as long as there has been a left-hand column in The Inn.  And in all that time I never noticed the following in his left-hand column  (which is actually on the right, but you get the idea):


"Until the Lord be pleased to settle, through the instrumentality of the princes of the Church and the lawful ministers of His justice, the trouble aroused by the pride of a few and the ignorance of some others, let us with the help of God endeavor with calm and humble patience to render love for hatred, to avoid disputes with the silly, to keep to the truth and not fight with the weapons of falsehood, and to beg of God at all times that in all our thoughts and desires, in all our words and actions, He may hold the first place who calls Himself the origin of all things.”

- Prosper of Aquitaine (+c.455), De gratia Dei et libero arbitrio contra Collatorem 22.61

Has it always been there?  Is it new?  Or is this just another example of my almost præternatural ability to miss what's right in front of me?  I suspect the later.  But in any event, I like it.  A lot.   Alas, liking is not quite the same as the ability to put all those good things into practice.  

But I'll give it a shot.


Novena before the Solemnitiy of the Chair of St Peter (Day 9)

 

NOVENA BEFORE THE SOLEMNITY OF THE CHAIR OF ST. PETER

¶ This novena may be prayed during the nine days before the Solemnity of Title of the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter. Please pray for your own special intentions and with special intention for the growth of all of the Ordinariates.

V. In the Name of the Father, ✠ and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
R. Amen.

Antiphon: That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

V. I say unto thee, thou art Peter;
R. And upon this Rock I will build my Church.

¶ Each day's scripture and intention is read aloud. After a brief silence, the final prayers are offered.

February 21st.
Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words." Acts 2:14
 
Intention: That in union with St. Peter we may proclaim the Gospel to the whole world.

FINAL PRAYER (to be offered each day)

O Almighty God, who by thy Son Jesus Christ didst give to thy Apostle Saint Peter many excellent gifts, and commandedst him earnestly to feed thy flock: make, we beseech thee, all Bishops and Pastors diligently to preach thy holy Word, and the people obediently to follow the same; that they may receive the crown of everlasting glory; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

V. St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles;
R. Pray for us.

V. In the Name of the Father, ✠ and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
R. Amen.



Thursday, February 20, 2025

Novena before the Solemnity of the Chair of St Peter (Day 8)

 

NOVENA BEFORE THE SOLEMNITY OF THE CHAIR OF ST. PETER

¶ This novena may be prayed during the nine days before the Solemnity of Title of the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter. Please pray for your own special intentions and with special intention for the growth of all of the Ordinariates.

V. In the Name of the Father, ✠ and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
R. Amen.

Antiphon: That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

V. I say unto thee, thou art Peter;
R. And upon this Rock I will build my Church.

¶ Each day's scripture and intention is read aloud. After a brief silence, the final prayers are offered.

February 20th.
Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." A second time he said to him, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. - St. John 21:15-17
 
Intention: That we may remain in close communion with the Successor of St. Peter, whose task it is to strengthen us in the faith.

FINAL PRAYER (to be offered each day)

O Almighty God, who by thy Son Jesus Christ didst give to thy Apostle Saint Peter many excellent gifts, and commandedst him earnestly to feed thy flock: make, we beseech thee, all Bishops and Pastors diligently to preach thy holy Word, and the people obediently to follow the same; that they may receive the crown of everlasting glory; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

V. St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles;
R. Pray for us.

V. In the Name of the Father, ✠ and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
R. Amen.



Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Novena before the Solemnity of the Chair of St Peter (Day 7)

 

NOVENA BEFORE THE SOLEMNITY OF THE CHAIR OF ST. PETER

¶ This novena may be prayed during the nine days before the Solemnity of Title of the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter. Please pray for your own special intentions and with special intention for the growth of all of the Ordinariates.

V. In the Name of the Father, ✠ and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
R. Amen.

Antiphon: That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

V. I say unto thee, thou art Peter;
R. And upon this Rock I will build my Church.

¶ Each day's scripture and intention is read aloud. After a brief silence, the final prayers are offered.

February 19th.
Peter then came out with the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; he saw the linen cloths lying, and the napkin, which had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. - St. John 20:3-4, 6-7
 
Intention: That our lives may give witness to the Risen Lord Jesus Christ.

FINAL PRAYER (to be offered each day)

O Almighty God, who by thy Son Jesus Christ didst give to thy Apostle Saint Peter many excellent gifts, and commandedst him earnestly to feed thy flock: make, we beseech thee, all Bishops and Pastors diligently to preach thy holy Word, and the people obediently to follow the same; that they may receive the crown of everlasting glory; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

V. St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles;
R. Pray for us.

V. In the Name of the Father, ✠ and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
R. Amen.

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Novena before the Solemnity of the Chair of St Peter (Day 6)

 

NOVENA BEFORE THE SOLEMNITY OF THE CHAIR OF ST. PETER

¶ This novena may be prayed during the nine days before the Solemnity of Title of the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter. Please pray for your own special intentions and with special intention for the growth of all of the Ordinariates.

V. In the Name of the Father, ✠ and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
R. Amen.

Antiphon: That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

V. I say unto thee, thou art Peter;
R. And upon this Rock I will build my Church.

¶ Each day's scripture and intention is read aloud. After a brief silence, the final prayers are offered.

February 18th.
[Jesus asked the soldiers,] "Whom do you seek?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus answered, "I told you that I am he; so, if you seek me, let these men go." Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's slave and cut off his right ear. - St. John 18:7-8,10a
 
Intention: That we may refrain from hasty or imprudent words and actions.

FINAL PRAYER (to be offered each day)

O Almighty God, who by thy Son Jesus Christ didst give to thy Apostle Saint Peter many excellent gifts, and commandedst him earnestly to feed thy flock: make, we beseech thee, all Bishops and Pastors diligently to preach thy holy Word, and the people obediently to follow the same; that they may receive the crown of everlasting glory; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

V. St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles;
R. Pray for us.

V. In the Name of the Father, ✠ and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
R. Amen.


Monday, February 17, 2025

Novena before the Solemnity of the Chair of St Peter (Day 5)

 

NOVENA BEFORE THE SOLEMNITY OF THE CHAIR OF ST. PETER

¶ This novena may be prayed during the nine days before the Solemnity of Title of the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter. Please pray for your own special intentions and with special intention for the growth of all of the Ordinariates.

V. In the Name of the Father, ✠ and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
R. Amen.

Antiphon: That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

V. I say unto thee, thou art Peter;
R. And upon this Rock I will build my Church.

¶ Each day's scripture and intention is read aloud. After a brief silence, the final prayers are offered.

February 17th.
Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also wish to go away?" Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life; and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God." - St. John 6:67-69
 
Intention: That we may know Christ as the Incarnate Word, and follow him.

FINAL PRAYER (to be offered each day)

O Almighty God, who by thy Son Jesus Christ didst give to thy Apostle Saint Peter many excellent gifts, and commandedst him earnestly to feed thy flock: make, we beseech thee, all Bishops and Pastors diligently to preach thy holy Word, and the people obediently to follow the same; that they may receive the crown of everlasting glory; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

V. St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles;
R. Pray for us.

V. In the Name of the Father, ✠ and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
R. Amen.

Sunday, February 16, 2025

Novena before the Solemnity of the Chair of St Peter (Day 4)

 

NOVENA BEFORE THE SOLEMNITY OF THE CHAIR OF ST. PETER

¶ This novena may be prayed during the nine days before the Solemnity of Title of the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter. Please pray for your own special intentions and with special intention for the growth of all of the Ordinariates.

V. In the Name of the Father, ✠ and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
R. Amen.

Antiphon: That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

V. I say unto thee, thou art Peter;
R. And upon this Rock I will build my Church.

¶ Each day's scripture and intention is read aloud. After a brief silence, the final prayers are offered.

February 16th.
After six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves; and he was transfigured before them, and his garments became glistening, intensely white, as no fuller on earth could bleach them. - St. Mark 9:2-3
 
Intention: That with Peter, we may see Christ as he is.

FINAL PRAYER (to be offered each day)

O Almighty God, who by thy Son Jesus Christ didst give to thy Apostle Saint Peter many excellent gifts, and commandedst him earnestly to feed thy flock: make, we beseech thee, all Bishops and Pastors diligently to preach thy holy Word, and the people obediently to follow the same; that they may receive the crown of everlasting glory; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

V. St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles;
R. Pray for us.

V. In the Name of the Father, ✠ and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
R. Amen.

Saturday, February 15, 2025

Novena before the Solemnity of the Chair of St Peter (Day 3)

 

NOVENA BEFORE THE SOLEMNITY OF THE CHAIR OF ST. PETER

¶ This novena may be prayed during the nine days before the Solemnity of Title of the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter. Please pray for your own special intentions and with special intention for the growth of all of the Ordinariates.

V. In the Name of the Father, ✠ and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
R. Amen.

Antiphon: That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

V. I say unto thee, thou art Peter;
R. And upon this Rock I will build my Church.

¶ Each day's scripture and intention is read aloud. After a brief silence, the final prayers are offered.

February 15th.
[Jesus] asked his disciples, "Who do men say that the Son of man is?" And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, others say Eljjah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. - St. Matthew 16:13-18
 
Intention: That we may confidently confess our faith in Jesus Christ.

FINAL PRAYER (to be offered each day)

O Almighty God, who by thy Son Jesus Christ didst give to thy Apostle Saint Peter many excellent gifts, and commandedst him earnestly to feed thy flock: make, we beseech thee, all Bishops and Pastors diligently to preach thy holy Word, and the people obediently to follow the same; that they may receive the crown of everlasting glory; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

V. St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles;
R. Pray for us.

V. In the Name of the Father, ✠ and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
R. Amen.

Friday, February 14, 2025

Novena before the Solemnitiy of the Chair of St Peter (Day 2)

 

NOVENA BEFORE THE SOLEMNITY OF THE CHAIR OF ST. PETER

¶ This novena may be prayed during the nine days before the Solemnity of Title of the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter. Please pray for your own special intentions and with special intention for the growth of all of the Ordinariates.

V. In the Name of the Father, ✠ and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
R. Amen.

Antiphon: That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

V. I say unto thee, thou art Peter;
R. And upon this Rock I will build my Church.

¶ Each day's scripture and intention is read aloud. After a brief silence, the final prayers are offered.

February 14th.
[Jesus] said to Simon, "Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets." And when they had done this, they enclosed a great shoal of fish; and as their nets were breaking, they beckoned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." - St. Luke 5:4-8
 
Intention: That we may obey our Lord's commandments with humility.

FINAL PRAYER (to be offered each day)

O Almighty God, who by thy Son Jesus Christ didst give to thy Apostle Saint Peter many excellent gifts, and commandedst him earnestly to feed thy flock: make, we beseech thee, all Bishops and Pastors diligently to preach thy holy Word, and the people obediently to follow the same; that they may receive the crown of everlasting glory; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

V. St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles;
R. Pray for us.

V. In the Name of the Father, ✠ and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
R. Amen.


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

(Didn't think I'd remember, didja?  You may be right yet:  seven days to go.

Novenas are a wonderful invention.  Just the right length:  they give the slightly lazy a reasonable goal to aim for and the obsessive a place to stop.)

Thursday, February 13, 2025

Novena before the Solemnity of the Chair of St Peter

 

NOVENA BEFORE THE SOLEMNITY OF THE CHAIR OF ST. PETER

¶ This novena may be prayed during the nine days before the Solemnity of Title of the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter. Please pray for your own special intentions and with special intention for the growth of all of the Ordinariates.

V. In the Name of the Father, ✠ and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
R. Amen.

Antiphon: That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

V. I say unto thee, thou art Peter;
R. And upon this Rock I will build my Church.

¶ Each day's scripture and intention is read aloud. After a brief silence, the final prayers are offered.

February 13th.
And passing along by the Sea of Galilee, [Jesus] saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, "Follow me and I will make you become fishers of men." And immediately they left their nets and followed him. - St. Mark 1:16-18
 
Intention: That we may follow the call of Christ without hesitation.

FINAL PRAYER (to be offered each day)

O Almighty God, who by thy Son Jesus Christ didst give to thy Apostle Saint Peter many excellent gifts, and commandedst him earnestly to feed thy flock: make, we beseech thee, all Bishops and Pastors diligently to preach thy holy Word, and the people obediently to follow the same; that they may receive the crown of everlasting glory; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

V. St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles;
R. Pray for us.

V. In the Name of the Father, ✠ and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
R. Amen.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

If I should happen to miss posting a day of the novena here you can always find the text at the end of either Morning or Evening prayer on Mr Covert's site here.

(I know what you're thinking:  "What do you mean 'if''?"  <stares at shoes and shuffles a bit>  Well, yes, posting can be a bit haphazard hereabouts.  But I shall try.  Honest.)

Sunday, January 26, 2025

Treasures from Fr Hunwicke's Archive

As you probably know, Fr John Hunwicke  --  of Fr Hunwicke's Mutual Enrichment  --  died late last  year.   And at least by me, he has been greatly missed.  There were a few posts he had in the queue to be published after his death.  But now, no more.  So it seemed to me a good idea to open his blog's archive and start reading it again from the beginning.   This has been mostly a good idea; there is so much richness there:  good humour and brilliant insights combined with a beautiful style and enough Latin to "establish me in virtue", in particular the virtue of humility.  Every time I find myself patting myself on the back for my prowess in Latin,  I run across a few paragraphs from  Fr Hunwicke which remind me that I am, in my  wife's immortal phrase, only in the ha'penny place.

 Which brings us to the following paragraph.  This is from his post of 6 August 2008 entitled Liturgicam Authenticam on the subject of translation.  In this case, it's only the seemingly trivial phrase Ite missa est.  You can read the whole post -- it's here -- but the final paragraph touched the heart:


 Ite missa est has always been a problem. 'Go: it's the dismissal' has just seemed too, too banausic for anybody to sponsor it. I feel it could be justified; this formula has a bivalence, a unique double function and nature as being simultaneously the conclusion of the liturgical act and the resumption of the non-liturgical world; at one a part and not a part of the Mass; so perhaps it could have done with having such a unique and striking literary form. I am cautious about developing the dismissal element in the mass. Among Anglicans such development has led to unfortunate turgidities like 'Send us out into the world in the power of thy Spirit to live and work to thy praise and glory'. I do hope that my RC friends will not allow themselves to be led down this path. The Eucharist is not a jolly useful springboard for the real Christian business of going out and changing the world and doing social service and voting Green. The Eucharist is the telos, the end and purpose of human life and existence, the Son's everlasting propitiation before His Father in a wonderful mysterion granted to be among us. Seeing the Mass as having a utilitarian purpose, however high and noble, is the beginning of godlessness.

 

Monday, January 20, 2025

TRUMP Declares World War III - America's Decline Is Over!


Two British Catholics assay some views on the new Trump administration.  BTW, if after that headline your blood pressure needs some attention, the Third World War reference refers to culture war.  

It's about 30 minutes but well-worth a listen.

Tuesday, January 07, 2025

Merry Christmas --- and 25 December is the Right Day . . .

. . . and it looks like the Roman Empire's census records agree.

The FSSP's current newsletter "Memento" has a fascinating article on just that subject. The citation is going to be a little  wordier than usual.

Start here at the FSSP website's Memento link.  Then click on the image of the Memento at the top of the page.  [If you're coming at this  after a couple of months, it will be further down the  page among the back issues.  Hover the cursor over the images and it's the one that says "Christmas (Jan 2025")]  Page forward and it's the article entitled "The Holy Family in the Roman Census".

It's well-worth the search.  Could the Roman census have contained St Joseph's entry in his own handwriting?

Monday, January 06, 2025

12th Night -- The Epiphany of the Lord

 


Today is the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord, Epiphania Domini, 12th Night, Three Kings Day, Little Christmas, Women's Christmas, Wedding Feast at Cana Day, and possibly even the feast of the Baptism of Our Lord in the Jordan.  Although that last  one does have it's very own feast day on the 13th of the month in the traditional calendar and some other day, which I've forgotten,  in the bright, shiny, new, up-to-date, aggiornamentoed Bugnini calendar.  And I can't swear that I haven't forgotten a name or two.

The Inn has posted the Blessed Cardinal Schuster's discussion of the Epiphany more than once.  Another citation for 2025 will do no harm.  It's well-worth a review.  You can find it, among other places, here.


Friday, January 03, 2025

Small, But Welcome, Rays of Sunshine . . . .

. . . .when you open the large envelope from the insurance company and at the top in large, friendly letters it says "THIS IS NOT A BILL"



Tuesday, December 31, 2024

New Year's Eve in the Ireland of Long Ago

 A post from The Inn's archives.  This one from over 20 years ago, quoting Kevin Danaher’s delightful “The Year in Ireland: Irish Calendar Customs”.  As the title  says, Danaher covers Irish customs throughout the year.  These few paragraphs cover new year traditions.


“New Year’s Eve and Day 31 December – 1 January never seem to have been major festivals in Ireland. The first of January was not counted as New Year’s Day until so designated by law in the new calendar of 1751, little over two centuries ago. Up to that time the legal year began in Ireland, as in England, on 25 March, while the country people still reckoned their working year as beginning on the first day of spring, 1 February.

“In Scotland, however, where Roman custom had long prevailed, 1 January traditionally began the year and thus was of much importance in popular celebration; a Scottish origin for some of the custom associated with the day in Ireland might thus be sought.

“Divination of the future was common on New Year’s Eve, especially, the forecasting of weather conditions for the whole of the coming year. Wind, sun, rain, snow, floods and all local weather signs were read and interpreted. Such omens often indicated much more than mere weather. In west County Kerry for instance, the direction of the wind indicated the trend of politics in the coming year; if it blew from the West the Irish cause would flourish, while an east wind foretold that the English interest would prevail.

“Indeed, almost anything which happened on New Year’s Eve and Day might be ominous of the future, and the nearer to the midnight hour when the year actually began, the more significant. A very popular belief held that the first person or creature to enter the house after midnight should be black or black-haired and also male to be lucky. To ensure their luck, many households sent out a suitably endowed member or friend before midnight to perform this office of lucky ‘first footing’ immediately after midnight. Others trusted to chance for their lucky first footing and were happy when their first visitor was a black cat or a dark haired boy. And since the latter was sure to be given a little present, small boys took advantage of the custom to get sweets or money at the neighbours’ houses.

“On New Year’s Eve, girls put holly and ivy leaves, or a sprig of mistletoe under their pillows to bring dreams of their future husbands. One of the charms said was:

“‘Oh, ivy green and holly red
Tell me, whom I shall wed’

“New Year’s Eve was known as Oiche na Coda Móire (the night of the big portion) because of the belief that eating a very large supper on that night ensured food in plenty for the coming year. A further ceremony to banish hunger and ensure plenty was fairly widespread. Crofton Croker (Researches in the South of Ireland, 233) describes it thus, while casting doubt on its efficacy:

“‘On the last night of the year, a cake is thrown against the outside door of each house by the head of the family, which ceremony is said to keep out hunger during the ensuing one; and the many thousand practical illustrations of the fallacy of this artifice have not yet succeeded in producing conviction of the same.’

“Nicholas O’Kearney, some twenty years later, sees evidence of heathenish practice in it (Trans. Kilkenny Archaeological Society: 1849-51, 146-7):

“‘There is one custom which I found practiced by a family moving in a very respectable sphere, and which I am informed was not long ago, probably still is, practiced in the County of Kilkenny, and to which I wish to call your attention, because it appears to me to savour of Paganism of the rankest kind. On the eve of the Twelfth day a large loaf called the “Christmas Loaf” which is usually baked some days previously, is laid with great solemnity on the table; the doors and windows are closed and strongly bolted; and the one of the family generally the housewife, then takes the loaf, and pounding it against the closed doors, etc. repeats three times, in Irish the following Rann:

“Fógramuid an Ghorta,
Amach go tír na d-Turcach;
O nocht go bliadhain ó nocht,
Agus ó nocht féin amach.

“(We warn famine to retire
To the country of the Turks;
From this night to this night twelvemonth,
And even this very night.)

“In County Kildare, ‘Omurethi’ is content to record the custom without comment (Kildare Archaeological Journal, v, 440-1):

“‘It was customary on the New Year’s Eve to bake a large barmbrack, which the man of the house, after taking three bites out of it dashed against the principal door of his dwelling, in the name of the Trinity at the same expressing the hope that starvation might be banished from Ireland and go to the King of the Turks. The fragments of the cake were then gathered up and eaten by all the members of the household.’

“In west County Limerick the ceremony was similar; the cake was rapped upon the door with the words:

“An donas amach
A’s an sonas isteach
O’ anocht go dtí bliain ó anocht
In ainm an Athar a’s an Mhic, a’s an Spirid Naoimh, Amen.

“(Happiness in and misfortune out
from this night
Until a year from to-night.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.)

“Many farmers repeated the ceremony at the door of the byre, to ensure plentiful fodder for the cows.

“In some households the cake was tossed out through the doorway, to be caught by a person stationed outside. The invocation of the Trinity was usual in this as in so many other customs, which, incidentally leads to speculation as to the degree of deafness of the smeller-out of heathenism quoted above.

“People tried to ensure that no food was taken away from the house on New Year’s Eve, and even shameless beggars hesitated to ask for ‘loan’ of foodstuffs, and not entirely because of the fear of the householder’s resentment.

“From Rathlin Island, County Antrim comes word of a traditional ceremony which appears to be purely Scottish. A party of young men went about from house to house collecting oatmeal and money to help poor widows and other needy persons in the community. The leader wore a sheepskin tied about his neck and hanging down behind. On coming into the house he took a glowing turf sod from the fire and laid in the middle of the floor, and he and his men marched around this, reciting an Irish verse while the second man in the line held up the end of the sheepskin and beat upon it with a stick. One man carried a bag to hold the gifts of meal, on receipt of which the leader cut a lock of wool from his sheepskin and having singed it over the red coal presented it to each member of the household to smell. The party then left for the next house, announcing their progress by blowing on horns. Another northern custom was the carrying about from door to door by children of a bundle of straw from which they presented wisps to the householders who were supposed to reciprocate with little gifts of money.

“The welcoming of the New Year at midnight on 31 December by the ringing of church bells, band parades, fireworks, bonfires and general well-wishing has, over the past century or so, spread in Ireland form the larger to the smaller towns and villages, where it is usually now observed in this fashion.

“When passing a graveyard on New Year’s Eve or Day a prayer should be said for all those who died during the year.”

This is a wonderful book.  Not sure if it's still in print but if you can find a copy it will repay your investment many times over in pure delight. 

ADDENDUM:  Well, a little internet digging reveals that it is still in print.  Sort of.  The American co-publisher, Irish Books and Media, seems to have gone the way of all flesh.  But the Irish publisher, Mercier Press of Cork, is very much still a going concern and The Year in Ireland can still be ordered from them.  Here, in fact.  But in the interest of avoiding a terminological inexactitude, it's worth mentioning that saying it's "in print"  is perhaps not quite the proper description:  it has print-on-demand status.  So if you order a copy, it will be in print.  If you don't, well . . . .

Saturday, December 28, 2024

The Ash Grove - Melodeon


A favourite tune on a lovely old Hohner melodeon, button clicks and all.

Friday, December 27, 2024

Yule Vacance -- a.k.a., Christmas Holiday

 The following is  swiped from Robb Quint's always informative daily email, mostly about Scottish Country Dance happenings in southern California, but also with a fair bit of history, stories, folklore, and what-have-you about Scotland in general.  This is from the Christmas mail:

Christmas in Dundee...and elsewhere in Scotland...

is about the same as anywhere else in the West, some

folks celebrating it religiously, others as a secular and

seasonal holiday only, and some not at all, but a bank

holiday for all. It was not always like that.  Scotland's

iteration of the Protestant Reformation made religion a

serious business and not to be mixed with any celebratory

frivolity.  The following is part of the 1640 "Estates"

(Parliament) Yule Vacance (holiday) Act.  It is in Middle

Scots but still easy enough to read and understand:

 

The kirke within this kingdome is now purged of all superstitious

observatione of dayes...thairfor the saidis estatis have dischairged and

simply dischairges the foirsaid Yule vacance and all observation thairof in

tymecomeing, and rescindis and annullis all acts, statutis and warrandis and

ordinances whatsoevir granted at any tyme heirtofoir for keiping of the said

Yule vacance, with all custome of observatione thairof, and findis and declaires

the samene to be extinct, voyd and of no force nor effect in tymecomeing.

 

This act was rescinded for Scotland by the Parliament

of Great Britain in 1712, five years after the union of

England and Scotland as a single nation, but it still took

until just about 1½ centuries ago for Christmas Day to

be reïnstated in Scotland as a "bank holiday" in 1871.

(Ideally, I'd cite you to his webpage, but this came from an email list and I don't have a webpage address to cite you to. )

And it wasn't only the Scots.  Some of our colonial forefathers weren't all that pleased with Christmas joy either.

Witness:




Political Euphoria

 Having been subjected yet again to far more political television than I would prefer(1), this tweet that I saved from a few years ago keeps coming to mind.   I hope Mr Warren (2) is wrong even though I see no indication that he is.

I have noticed, everything that gets the crowds out in political euphoria, ends badly. (Not almost everything. Everything.) - David Warren


(1)  I would, of course, prefer none. So it doesn't take much for the Nameless Dread to set in.
(2) If memory serves, and it sometimes does, the poster of this thought was not Mr Warren but someone quoting him.  So I hope the OP and I are quoting him accurately.

Wednesday, December 25, 2024

Culture

A most important point made by Christopher Dawson  quoted in the  volume 5, number 4 edition of Anglican Embers:

"Culture, as its name denotes, is an artificial product. It is like a city 

that has been built up laboriously by the work of successive gener

ations, not a jungle which has grown up spontaneously by the blind 

pressure of natural forces. It is the essence of culture that it is com

municated and acquired, and although it is inherited by one gener

ation from another, it is a social not a biological inheritance, a tra

dition of learning, an accumulated capital of knowledge and a com

munity of ‘folkways’ into which the individual has to be initiated. 

Hence it is clear that culture is inseparable from education.”  

Christopher Dawson 

Anglican Embers  - Shared Treasures is the journal of the Anglicanorum Coetibus Society.  You can find their web page here.


 

For Mattins in Christmas Day

 Christmas Invitatory.

BEHOLD a virgin shall conceive and bear a son: * and shall call his Name Immanuel.

Unto us a child is born: * unto us a son is given.

In this was manifested the love of God towards us: * because that God sent his Only Begotten Son into the world that we might live through him.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: * who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Old Saint Knick

 As in "Knickerbocker".

A wonderful piece from Chronicles on Washington Irving and Christmas.  You can find it here.

It starts out:


According to Walter Russell Mead’s recent analysis “One way to read Trump’s second victory in three elections is that the movement for a post-American America with a successor ideology and post-Judeo Christian cultural and ethical foundation aimed at fundamentally changing American society has reached it sell-by date.”


Do not hold your breath.


The demise of “woke” has been greatly exaggerated. The unfortunate truth is that the “woke”  era under which the great mass of Americans has been harassed since the reelection of Barack Obama is merely the latest spasm of the puritanism that has periodically plagued the body politic since the English Civil War. The particular issues change, but the insufferable moralization and coercive war on preexisting cultural traditions and symbols are always recognizable.


Fortunately, wokeness does appear to be receding at the moment, the antidote having been provided by a New Yorker who “looked at things poetically rather than politically” and “revered the past and the stability that a sense of the past provides.” No, I am not referring to Donald Trump, but another knickerbocker—Washington Irving.


Born in 1783, the year of victory over the British, Irving’s life would span the entire antebellum period of American history. Fittingly named after the father of his country, Irving would go on to establish himself as the Father of American Literature. He believed that America’s puritanical impulses stunted healthy cultural development, a belief developed in rebellion against a puritanical upbringing under Irving’s strict Presbyterian father.


“I have no relish for puritans either in religion or politics, who are pushing for principles to an extreme, and overturning everything that stands in the way of their own zealous career,” wrote Irving. Instead, Irving had faith in tradition where “population, manners, and customs remained fixed.” And nowhere is Irving’s impact on American traditions greater than in how we celebrate Christmas.

Click here for the rest. 

Sunday, December 01, 2024

1 December -- 1st Sunday of Advent


The liturgical journey to Bethlehem begins.   I suggest a look at Fr Z's explication of the old Vespers hymn, Cónditor alme siderum which you can find here.  And note that Father has the eminent good taste to provide John Mason Neale's translation, Creator of the stars of night.

So long as you've clicked your way over to the WDTPRS site, you could do a lot worse than spend a couple of minutes with Father's "ADVENTCAzT".

A few years ago some of the Blessed Cardinal Schuster's thoughts on Advent were posted on The Inn here.   My copy of Cardinal Schuster's Liber Sacramentorum (or should that be "copies"?  It comes in five volumes.) is one of my treasures.  It was a gift to me from my friend Carlo a few years before he died.  It's the original English edition, I believe.  If it's of interest to you,  one of the Catholic publishers has reprinted it.  I forget which but it shouldn't be too hard to find, search engines being what they are.


[ADDENDUM:   I looked it up for you.  It's the Arouca Press.  If you go to this page you can order the set.  I noticed that this reprint has a Foreword by Gregory DiPippo, which if his other work at the New Liturgical Movement site is anything to go by, should be well-worth the price of admission.]

 

Wednesday, November 06, 2024

November 6 -- St Illtyd

 Sometimes spelled "Illtud", he was the great Welsh monastic founder.  Not much has come down to us about his life.   The good old Catholic Encyclopedia has the basics of what is known here.

This site, apparently maintained by the Church of Wales, has something more about his foundations based on recent research.

And today is his feast day in the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham.  His collect:

Through the example and intercession of Saint Illtud, O Lord: grant us the grace to seek Thee in wisdom, and bring us to find Thee in prayer; through Jesus Christ Thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.


Te Deum laudamus


 The Church's traditional chant of thanks giving.



(What do you mean "for  what?"  On this 6th day of November in the year of Our Lord 2024, I suspect you know very well "for what".)

Tuesday, November 05, 2024

O.K., maybe not "Prohibited by Law". The blog-owner presumeth authority but he hath it not. Still, it would be nice. Even if not "by law".


 

I can't think of any either . . . .


 

Sunday, October 27, 2024

Exercizing the Franchise


 And so I did.  Indeed, we did, herself and I last Thursday.  Somewhat of a pointless exercize, this being California and all.  The Democrats have the state in their back pocket.  They don't even need to indulge in that, um, electoral slight of hand that they do elsewhere.  Although, rumor has it that they do anyway.  Can't imagine why.  Force of habit?  Just to keep their hand in?  So far as I can tell, it's wholly unnecessary.   

Hood Ornament


 Tuxedo-clad neighbor having a nap: a cool morning and a warm car hood.  As seen through a kitchen window perhaps in need of a soft cloth and some Windex.

Sunday, October 20, 2024

Plus-ça-change Department

 Journalists ought not to be distrusted because they are worse than other people.  They are not.  They ought to be distrusted because they are more powerful than other people; because they have, like the priests of old, the keys of knowledge, and can if they will shut others out and go not in themselves.  A conspiracy of journalists could easily hurl the whole of this nation  upon political ruin.    
-G. K. Chesterton in "The World" September 20, 1904.


Thursday, October 17, 2024

A Hymn for Election Day




O God of earth and altar,

Bow down and hear our cry,

Our earthly rulers falter,

Our people drift and die;

The walls of gold entomb us,

The swords of scorn divide,

Take not thy thunder from us,

But take away our pride.



From all that terror teaches,

From lies of tongue and pen,

From all the easy speeches

That comfort cruel men,

From sale and profanation

Of honour and the sword,

From sleep and from damnation,

Deliver us, good Lord.



Tie in a living tether

The prince and priest and thrall,

Bind all our lives together,

Smite us and save us all;

In ire and exultation

Aflame with faith, and free,

Lift up a living nation,

A single sword to thee.


(The music and text are in the old 1940 Hymnal at #521 . . . but since the text is one of G.K.'s poems, I actually copied  and pasted the above from the Chesterton Society's very useful webpage here.)

 

Friday, October 11, 2024

A Suggestion to Add to Daily Prayer


 -from the Fall 2024 number of Latin Mass magazine, page 6

As is often the case, you can click the above image to make it larger.  Possibly too large.  But certainly more legible.


Tuesday, October 08, 2024

Well That's Interesting . . . .

 Q. 338   Can a General Council Depose the Pope?

Strictly speaking, such a council could depose a Pope only in the case the Pope became a heretic, not however if he became immoral.  Where there are several pretenders, as happened during the Western Schism, the council passes on the claims of each, declares a certain one to be the rightful Pope, according to the proofs, and if this man approves the decrees he becomes the lawful  pontiff.  Even then he may abdicate.

-from "Setting it Right" , (1927), by the Rev. Dr. Charles F. McGinnis, Ph.D., S.T.L., formerly Professor of philosophy in St. Thomas College and Professor of Apologetics in College of St. Catherine, St. Paul, Minn., Author of "The Communion of Saints", etc., etc.

Monday, September 09, 2024

Babylon Bee Nails It Once Again

 



Well, tbh, as they say, I wouldn't definitely vote on that basis.

But I would be sorely tempted.


Tuesday, September 03, 2024

"Miracles of Stupidity"

The latest number of "Touchstone" actually arrived a couple of weeks or so ago.  But I only got into it the other day in my comfy chair while feeling sorry for myself and my cold or flu or whatever it was.  And still is, if it comes to that. At least a bit with the remains of the cough and the absence of energy still hanging on.

Where was I?

Oh, yes.  Touchstone.   Wonderful magazine.  You really should subscribe if you don't already.   This issue, the September/October 2024 number,  starts out with a bang, as it so often does, with a couple of paragraphs from S.M. Hutchens in the Quodlibet section.  Herewith:

“Radical inclusiveness,” like “reaching room temperature,” is a euphemism for death, and those who practice it doom themselves. An institution or organism is radically and actively exclusive, living by a rigid and infinitely complex rule of what it keeps in and out of itself to maintain integrity and health. It is a Miracle of Stupidity that leaders in the churches, who, above all people, should know better, seize upon and radicalize the concept of inclusiveness and make it a virtue in the reputed service of the Lord, who declared himself to be an instrument of radical division, the bringer of a sword, the separator of the saved and the damned. But such churchmen at least do the faithful the service of identifying themselves by their maxims as fools who are not to be followed.

“Miracles of Stupidity” into which people educate themselves are well worth identifying and enumerating—as, for example, “diversity-as-virtue,” a euphemism for the exclusion of the Other in the chaos of mass self-affirmation.

Wonderful way to start an issue.  And not one, but four pieces by Anthony Esolen should one continue to read further.  Tolle, lege, indeed. 

Saturday, August 17, 2024

A Prayer for the Government

I know:  I've posted this before.   But I had the misfortune to be stuck listening to political television for what seemed like an hour but was probably, oh, 15 minutes or so.  Hence this collect.  

I think I acknowledged on the first posting that, considering who the individuals mentioned in this collect actually are, it's asking rather a lot of the dear Lord. But He is omnipotent; He can do it.  But do we deserve it?  Oh, dear.  I probably don't.  But you might.  

So:

 O Lord our Governor, whose glory is in all the world: We commend this nation to Thy merciful care, that, being guided by Thy Providence, we may dwell secure in Thy peace. Grant to the President of these United States, the Governor of this State, and to all in authority, wisdom and strength to know and to do Thy will. Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness, and make them ever mindful of their calling to serve this people in Thy fear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.