+Today in the oratory… Wednesday, Aug 31 2011 

+Today in the oratory... , , , altarstonesoratory 10:28 pm

Thursday, September 1

Feast Day of Saint Giles (650-710)

Novena to Pope St. Pius X continues

Today’s lectionary reading:

I Corinthians 15: 1-10

Notum autem vobis facio fratres evangelium quod praedicavi vobis quod et accepistis in quo et statis.  Per quod et salvamini qua ratione praedicaverim vobis si tenetis nisi si frustra credidistis.  Tradidi enim vobis in primis quod et accepi quoniam Christus mortuus est pro peccatis nostris secundum scripturas:  et quia sepultus est: et quia resurrexit tertia die secundum scripturas:  Et quia visus est Cephae et post haec undecim. Deinde visus est plus quam quingentis fratribus simul ex quibus multi manent usque adhuc quidam autem dormierunt.  Deinde visus est Iacobo: deinde apostolis omnibus. Novissime autem omnium tamquam abortivo visus est et mihi.  Ego enim sum minimus apostolorum qui non sum dignus vocari apostolus quoniam persecutus sum ecclesiam Dei. Gratia autem Dei sum id quod sum. Et gratia eius in me vacua non fuit: sed abundantius illis omnibus laboravi. Non ego autem sed gratia Dei mecum.

*
Now I make known unto you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you have received and wherein you stand. By which also you are saved, if you hold fast after what manner I preached unto you, unless you have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all, which I also received: how that Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures: And that he was buried: and that he rose again according to the scriptures:
And that he was seen by Cephas, and after that by the eleven. Then was he seen by more than five hundred brethren at once: of whom many remain until this present, and some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen by James: then by all the apostles. And last of all, he was seen also by me, as by one born out of due tine. For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God, I am what I am. And his grace in me hath not been void: but I have laboured more abundantly than all they. Yet not I, but the grace of God with me.

Mark 7: 31-37

Et iterum exiens de finibus Tyri venit per Sidonem ad mare Galilaeae inter medios fines Decapoleos. Et adducunt ei surdum et mutum et deprecantur eum ut inponat illi manum et adprehendens eum de turba seorsum misit digitos suos in auriculas et expuens tetigit linguam eius. Et suspiciens in caelum ingemuit et ait illi: eppheta, quod est, adaperire.  Et statim apertae sunt aures eius et solutum est vinculum linguae eius et loquebatur recte. Et praecepit illis ne cui dicerent quanto autem eis praecipiebat tanto magis plus praedicabant.  Et eo amplius admirabantur dicentes: bene omnia fecit et surdos facit audire et mutos loqui.

*

And again going out of the coasts of Tyre, he came by Sidon to the sea of Galilee, through the midst the of the coasts of Decapolis. And they bring to him one deaf and dumb: and they besought him that he would lay his hand upon him. And taking him from the multitude apart, he put his fingers into his ears: and spitting, he touched his tongue.  And looking up to heaven, he groaned and said to him: Ephpheta, which is, Be thou opened. And immediately his ears were opened and the string of his tongue was loosed and he spoke right. And he charged them that they should tell no man. But the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal did they publish it. And so much the more did they wonder, saying:  He hath done all things well. He hath made both the deaf to hear and the dumb to speak.  

Thursdays are devoted to the Blessed Sacrament. 

O Salutaris Hostia
Quae caeli pandis ostium.
Bella premunt hostilia;
Da robur, fer auxilium.

O Saving Victim opening wide
The gate of heaven to all below.
Our foes press on from every side;
Thine aid supply, Thy strength bestow.

Uni trinoque Domino
Sit sempiterna gloria:
Qui vitam sine termino,
Nobis donet in patria.

Amen.

To Thy great name be endless praise
Immortal Godhead, One in Three;
Oh, grant us endless length of days,
In our true native land with Thee.

Amen.

 

 (tr. E Caswall)

 September is dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows

 

Litany to Our Lady of Sorrows.

This Litany was composed in Latin by Pope Pius VII in 1809 during his captivity under Napoleon. For private use only.

 

 

Kyrie, eleison.
R. Christe, eleison.

Lord, have mercy on us.
R. Christ, have mercy on us.

Kyrie, eleison.
Christe, audi nos.
R. Christe, exaudi nos.

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
R. Christ, graciously hear us.

Pater de caelis, Deus,
R. miserere nobis.

God the Father of heaven,
R. have mercy on us.

Fili, Redemptor mundi, Deus,
R. miserere nobis.

God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
R. have mercy on us.

Spiritus Sancte Deus,
R. miserere nobis.

God the Holy Spirit,
R. have mercy on us.

Sancta Trinitas, unus Deus,
R. miserere nobis.

Holy Trinity, one God,
R. have mercy on us.

Sancta Maria,
R. ora pro nobis.

Holy Mary,
R. pray for us.

Sancta Dei Genetrix,
R. ora pro nobis.

Holy Mother of God,
R. pray for us.

Sancta Virgo virginum,
R. ora pro nobis.

Holy Virgin of virgins,
R. pray for us.

Mater crucifixa,
R. ora pro nobis.

Mother crucified,
R. pray for us.

Mater dolorosa,
R. ora pro nobis.

Mother sorrowful,
R. pray for us.

Mater lacrimosa,
R. ora pro nobis.

Mother tearful,
R. pray for us.

Mater afflicta,
R. ora pro nobis.

Mother afflicted,
R. pray for us.

Mater derelicta,
R. ora pro nobis.

Mother forsaken,
R. pray for us.

Mater desolata,
R. ora pro nobis.

Mother desolate,
R. pray for us.

Mater filio orbata,
R. ora pro nobis.

Mother bereft of thy Son,
R. pray for us.

Mater gladio transverberata,
R. ora pro nobis.

Mother pierced with a sword,
R. pray for us.

Mater aerumnis confecta,
R. ora pro nobis.

Mother consumed with grief,
R. pray for us.

Mater angustiis repleta,
R. ora pro nobis.

Mother filled with anguish,
R. pray for us.

Mater cruci corde affixa,
R. ora pro nobis.

Mother crucified in heart,
R. pray for us.

Mater maestissima,
R. ora pro nobis.

Mother most sad,
R. pray for us.

Fons lacrimarum,
R. ora pro nobis.

Fountain of tears,
R. pray for us.

Cumulus passionum,
R. ora pro nobis.

Mass of suffering,
R. pray for us.

Speculum patientiae,
R. ora pro nobis.

Mirror of patience,
R. pray for us.

Rupes constantiae,
R. ora pro nobis.

Rock of consistency,
R. pray for us.

Ancora confidentiae,
R. ora pro nobis.

Anchor of confidence,
R. pray for us.

Refugium derelictorum,
R. ora pro nobis.

Refuge of the forsaken,
R. pray for us.

Clipeus oppressorum,
R. ora pro nobis.

Shield of the oppressed,
R. pray for us.

Debellatrix incredulorum,
R. ora pro nobis.

Subduer of the unbelieving,
R. pray for us.

Solatium miserorum,
R. ora pro nobis.

Comfort of the wretched,
R. pray for us.

Medicina languentium,
R. ora pro nobis.

Medicine of the sick,
R. pray for us.

Fortitudo debilium,
R. ora pro nobis.

Strength of the weak,
R. pray for us.

Portus naufragantium,
R. ora pro nobis.

Harbor of the wrecked,
R. pray for us.

Sedatio procellarum,
R. ora pro nobis.

Allay of tempests,
R. pray for us.

Recursus maerentum,
R. ora pro nobis.

Resource of mourners,
R. pray for us.

Terror insidiantium,
R. ora pro nobis.

Terror of the treacherous,
R. pray for us.

Thesaurus fidelium,
R. ora pro nobis.

Treasure of the faithful,
R. pray for us.

Oculus Prophetarum,
R. ora pro nobis.

Eye of the prophets,
R. pray for us.

Baculus Apostolorum,
R. ora pro nobis.

Staff of Apostles,
R. pray for us.

Corona Martyrum,
R. ora pro nobis.

Crown of martyrs,
R. pray for us.

Lumen Confessorum,
R. ora pro nobis.

Light of Confessors
R. pray for us.

Margarita Virginum,
R. ora pro nobis.

Pearl of Virgins,
R. pray for us.

Consolatio Viduarum,
R. ora pro nobis.

Consolation of widows,
R. pray for us.

Laetitia Sanctorum omnium,
R. ora pro nobis.

Joy of all Saints,
R. pray for us.

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi,
R. parce nobis, Iesu.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
R. spare us, O Jesus.

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi,
R. exaudi nobis, Iesu.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
R. graciously hear us, O Jesus.

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi,
R. miserere nobis, Iesu.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
R. have mercy on us, O Jesus.

Respice super nos, libera nos, salva nos ab omnibus angustiis in virtute Iesu Christi. Amen.

Look down upon us, deliver us from all trouble in the power of Jesus Christ. Amen

Scribe, Domina, vulnera tua in corde meo, ut in eis legam dolorem et amorem: dolorem, ad sustinendum per te omnem dolorem: amorem, ad contemnendum per te omnem amorem.

Imprint, O Lady, thy wound upon my heart, that I may read therein sorrow and love: sorrow, to endure every sorrow for thee; love, to despise every love for thee.

Credo. Salve Regina, et tre Ave Maria. Creed. Hail Holy Queen, 3 Hail Marys
From the Golden Manual, 1870, on the internet at http://www.preces-latinae.org/thesaurus/BVM/Dolorum.html, copyrighted by Michael Martin.

 

For those doing reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus,
This coming Friday is the First Friday of the month.

For those doing reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
This coming Saturday is the First Saturday of the month.

 

Feast Day of St. Giles (650-710) Wednesday, Aug 31 2011 

Lives of the Saints , , , altarstonesoratory 10:15 pm

Feast Day of Saint Giles 

 

One of the Fourteen Holy Helpers

  

(650-710)

 

Oremus.
Intercéssio nos quæsumus, Dómine, beáti Ægídii Abbátis comméndet : ut, quod nostris méritis non valémus, ejus patrocínio assequámur. Per Dóminum…

Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech thee, O Lord, that the prayers of thy holy Abbot, blessed Giles may commend us unto thee : that we, who have no power of ourselves to help ourselves, may by his advocacy find favour in thy sight. Through Our Lord…

 

 S. Giles was born in Athens, and was of noble lineage and royal kindred. And in his childhood he was informed in holy lettrure. And on a day as he went to the church, he found a sick man which lay all sick in the way and demanded alms of S. Giles, which gave him his coat. And as soon as he clad him withal he received full and entire health. And after that, anon his father and his mother died, and rested in our Lord, and then S. Giles made Jesu Christ heir of his heritage. On a time as he went to the church a man was smitten with a serpent and died, and Giles came against this serpent, and made his orison, and chased out of him all the venom. There was a man which was demoniac in the monastery with other people, and troubled them that heard the service of God. Then Giles conjured the devil that was in his body, and anon he issued out, and anon he was all whole.

Then Giles doubted the peril of the world, and went secretly to the rivage of the sea, and saw there mariners in great peril and like to perish in the sea. And he made his prayer, and anon the tempest ceased, and anon the mariners came to land and thanked God. And he understood by them that they went to Rome, and he desired to go with them, whom they received into their ship gladly, and said they would bring him thither without any freight or hire. And then he came to Arles, and abode there two years with S. Cezarien, bishop of that city, and there he healed a man that had been sick of the fevers three years. And after, he desired to go into desert, and departed covertly, and dwelled there long with a hermit that was a holy man. And there by his merits he chased away the sterility and barrenness that was in that country, and caused great plenty of goods. And when he had done this miracle he doubted the peril of the glory human, and left that place, and entered farther into desert and there found a pit, and a little well, and a fair hind, which without doubt was purveyed of God for to nourish him, and at certain hours ministered her milk to him.

And on a time servants of the king rode on hunting, and much people and many hounds with them. It happed that they espied this hind, and they thought that she was so fair that they followed her with hounds, and when she was sore constrained she fled for succour to the feet of S. Giles, whom she nourished, and then he was much abashed when he saw her so chauffed, and more than she was wont to be. And then he sprang up and espied the hunters. Then he prayed to our Lord Jesu Christ that like as he sent her to him, to be nourished by her, that he would save her. Then the hounds durst not approach her by the space of a stone cast, but they howled together, and returned to the hunters, and then the night came, and they returned home again and took nothing. And when the king heard say of this thing he had suspicion what it might be, and went and warned the bishop, and both went thither with great multitude of hunters, and when the hounds were on the place whereas the hind was, they durst not go forth as they did before, but then they all environed the bush for to see what there was, but that bush was so thick that no man ne beast might enter therein for the brambles and thorns that were there. And then one of the knights drew up an arrow follily for to make it afeard and spring out, but he wounded and

hurt the holy man, which ceased not to pray for the fair hind. And after this the hunters made way with their swords and went into the pit, and saw there this ancient man, which was clothed in the habit of a monk, of a right honourable figure and parure, and the hind Iying by him. And the king and the bishop went alone to him, and demanded him from whence he was, and what he was, and why he had taken so great a thickness of desert, and of whom he was so hurt; and he answered right honestly to every demand; and when they had heard him speak they thought that he was a holy man, and required him humbly pardon. And they sent to him masters and surgeons to heal his wound, and offered him many gifts, but he would never lay medicine to his wound, ne receive their gifts, but refused them. And he prayed our Lord that he might never be whole thereof in his life, for he knew well that virtue should profit to him in infirmity. And the king visited him oft, and received of him the pasture of health. And the king offered to him many great riches, but he refused all. And after, he admonished the king that he should do make a monastery, whereas the discipline of the order of monks should be, and when he had do make it, Giles refused many times to take the charge and the crosier. And at the last he was vanquished by prayers of the king and took it.

And then king Charles heard speak of the renown of him, and impetred that he might see him, and he received him much honourably, and he prayed him to pray for him; among other things because he had done a sin so foul and villainous that he durst not be shriven thereof to him ne to none other. And on the Sunday after, as S. Giles said mass and prayed for the king, the angel of our Lord appeared to him, and laid a schedule upon the altar where the sin of the king was written in by order, and that was pardoned him by the prayers of S. Giles, so that he were thereof repentant and abstained him from doing it any more, and it was adjoined to the end that, who that required S. Giles for any sin that he had done, if he left it that it should be pardoned to him. And after the holy man delivered the schedule to the king, and he confessed his sin and required pardon humbly.

Then S. Giles returned thence with honour, and when he came to the city of Nemausense, he raised the son of a prince that was dead. And a little while after he denounced that his monastery should be destroyed of enemies of the faith. And after he went to Rome and gat privileges of the pope to his church, and two doors of cypress, in which were the images of SS. Peter and Paul, and he threw them into the Tiber at Rome, and recommended them to God for to govern. And when he returned to his monastery he made a lame man to go, and found the two doors of cypress at the gate of his monastery, whereof he thanked God that had kept them without breaking in so many adventures as they had been, and sith he set them at the gates of the church for the beauty of them, and for the grace that the church of Rome had done thereto. And at the last our Lord showed to him his departing out of this world, and he said it to his brethren, and admonished them to pray for him, and so he slept and died goodly in our Lord. And many witness that they heard the company of angels bearing the soul of him into heaven. And he flourished about the year of our Lord seven hundred.

 

(From The Golden Legend)

 

 

Novena to Pope St. Pius X Tuesday, Aug 30 2011 

+Today in the oratory... and Novenas altarstonesoratory 9:54 pm

Novena to Saint Pius X — Feast Day:   September 3rd


Glorious Pope of the Eucharist, Saint Pius X, who sought “to resore all things in Christ”:   Obtain for me a true love of Jesus so that I may live only for Him.
Help me to acquire a lively fervor and a sincere will to strive for sanctity of life, and that I may avail myself of the riches of the Holy Eucharist in sacrifice and sacrament. By your love for Mary, mother and queen of all, inflame my heart with tender devotion to her.

Intercede for the faithful of the Church, in particular for our requests that we make in this novena, and especially for the current discussions between the Vatican and SSPX.

Blessed model of the priesthood, obtain for us holy, dedicated priests, and increase vocations to the religious life. Dispel confusion and hatred and anxiety, and incline our hearts to peace and concord, so that all nations will place themselves under the sweet reign of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Sancte Pius X, ora pro nobis!

 

Feast Day of Saint Laurence, Martyr Wednesday, Aug 10 2011 

Lives of the Saints altarstonesoratory 12:05 pm

Feast Day of Saint Laurence, Martyr

 

(225-258)

 

Saint Laurence

Da nobis, quaesumus, omnipotens Deus: vitiorum nostrorum flammas exstinguere; qui beato Laurentio tribuisti tormentorum suorum incendia superare.  Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

Quench in us, we beseech Thee, Oh Lord, the flame of vice, even as Thou didst enable blessed Laurence to overcome his fire of sufferings.  Through our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end.  Amen.

 

            One of the seven deacons of Rome, Saint Laurence was one of the earliest martyrs of the Church and therefore has a long history of veneration.  History relates that St. Laurence possessed the Holy Grail, which, at the advent of martyrdom, he safely dispatched to his parents in Aragon.  Because he was martyred on a giant grill, he is revered as the patron saint of chefs.  According to the earliest accounts, as his martyrdom proceeded, he commented to his executioners, “This side is done now, you can turn me over.”  His dying words are reported as: “The meat is done now. Come and have your dinner.”  His name is derived from the laurel wreath, the classical crown of victory.

 

Saint Laurence in the Golden Legend

http://www.aug.edu/augusta/iconography/goldenLegend/lawrence.htm

Booklet containing the life and prayers of St. Laurence and hymns in praise of this early martyr of the Church:  http://www.slocc.com/images/St.%20Lawrence.pdf

 

Feast Day of St. John Vianney Monday, Aug 8 2011 

Lives of the Saints , , , altarstonesoratory 9:39 am

The Feast Day of St. John Vianney, Confessor

(1786-1859)

The Devil is said to have told St. John Vianney, “If there were three such priests as you, my kingdom would be ruined.”  This distinction could not have been based alone on singular piety or homiletic gifts, although these were recognized as exceptional.  The disastrous undermining of enemy fortifications was a covert operation.  It took place in secrecy, in the confessional, where the Curé d’Ars, gifted with ability to read souls and armed for this combat by prayer and fasting, spent 16 hours a day, winning back the captives of the enemy.  The battleground between God and Satan is in the human soul.

Heavenly Father, may it please Thee to give us those three priests like St. John Vianney to win Thy Kingdom. 

Sancte Joannes Vianney, ora pro nobis!

 

“The Story of St. John Vianney”

 http://olrl.org/lives/vianney.shtml

Litany to St. John Vianney

 

Lord, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven,
Have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
Have mercy on us.

God the Holy Ghost,
Have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, One God,
Have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us.

Saint John-Marie Vianney,
pray for us.

St. John Vianney, endowed with grace from your infancy,
pray for us.

St. John Vianney, model of filial piety,
pray for us.

St. John Vianney, devoted servant of the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
pray for us.

St. John Vianney, spotless lily of purity,
pray for us.

St. John Vianney, faithful imitator of the sufferings of Christ,
pray for us.

St. John Vianney, abyss of humility,
pray for us.

St. John Vianney, seraph of prayer,
pray for us.

St. John Vianney, faithful adorer of the Most Blessed Sacrament,
pray for us.

St. John Vianney, ardent lover of holy poverty,
pray for us.

St. John Vianney, true son of St. Francis of Assisi,
pray for us.

St. John Vianney, exemplary Franciscan tertiary,
pray for us.

St. John Vianney, tender friend of the poor,
pray for us.

St. John Vianney, filled with the holy fear of God’s perfect justice,
pray for us.

St. John Vianney, fortified by divine visions,
pray for us.

St. John Vianney, who was tormented by the evil spirit,
pray for us.

St. John Vianney, perfect model of priestly virtue,
pray for us.

St. John Vianney, firm and prudent pastor,
pray for us.

St. John Vianney, inflamed with zeal,
pray for us.

St. John Vianney, faithful attendant of the sick,
pray for us.

St. John Vianney, untiring teacher,
pray for us.

St. John Vianney, who preached with words of fire,
pray for us.

St. John Vianney, wise director of souls,
pray for us.

St. John Vianney, specially gifted with the spirit of counsel,
pray for us.

St. John Vianney, enlightened by light from Heaven,
pray for us.

St. John Vianney, formidable to Satan,
pray for us.

St. John Vianney, compassionate with every misery,
pray for us.

St. John Vianney, helper of the orphans,
pray for us.

St. John Vianney, favored with the gift of miracles,
pray for us.

St. John Vianney, who reconciled so many sinners to God,
pray for us.

St. John Vianney, who led so many down the path of virtue,
pray for us.

St. John Vianney, who tasted the sweetness of death,
pray for us.

St. John Vianney, who now rejoices in the glory of Heaven,
pray for us.

St. John Vianney, who gives joy to those who call upon you,
pray for us.

St. John Vianney, heavenly patron of parish priests,
pray for us.

St. John Vianney, model and patron of directors of souls,
pray for us.

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
Hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.

V. Pray for us, blessed Jean-Marie Vianney,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let Us Pray…
Almighty and merciful God,
Who bestowed upon blessed John Marie Vianney
wonderful pastoral zeal
and a great fervor for prayer and penance,
grant, we beseech Thee,
that by his example and intercession
we may be able to win the souls
of many for Christ,
and with them reach out everlasting glory,
through the same Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son,
Who lives and reigns with Thee
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, world without end.

Amen.

 

 Text copyright: Altarstones Press 2011

 

Feast Day of St. Dominic Thursday, Aug 4 2011 

Lives of the Saints , , , , , , , , altarstonesoratory 1:20 pm

Feast Day of St. Dominic

 

(1170-1221)

 

Founder of the Order of Friars Preachers

  

Life of St. Dominic from Butler’s Lives of the Saints

 

Life of St. Dominic from John J. Crawley’s Lives of the Saints (EWTN)

 

Prayers to St. Dominic

 

St. Dominic and the Rosary:  12 Tips for the Family Rosary