Maj. Gen. Smedley Butler: 'War is a Racket'

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This post in its way is a tiny correlative to Pope Francis' attacks on capitalism as capitalism (read: crony capitalism) currently exists in the world as well as his attack upon the system of capitalism in itself when divorced from a higher moral accountability.  If there is a "lay" critique of capitalism that focuses on its chief mechanism and defect, the only one still in print in my opinion is by Major General Smedley Butler of the US Marine Corps.  

(Unknown to most U.S.A. citizens is that this general single-handedly thwarted a fascist plot to overthrow Franklin Delano Roosevelt according to most historians.  There are now books and YouTube videos aplenty about this episode, but there is none I feel I can endorse.  You, dear reader, are free to search for yourself if you so desire.)

"War is a Racket" by Maj. Gen. Smedley Butler is a book that demands reading again if you have read it before.  It also bears reading for the first time if this text and its author are new to you.  What Maj. Gen. Butler could not fully know was the way in which the USA's intelligence operations would sew war and create fanatics to spread warfare in order to 'achieve our goals'.  One can only imagine what this great Marine would write of the USA, capitalism, Wall Street, and the business of warfare today.

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A Portable Shrine in Miniature

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I was very grateful to see that the British Museum has posted this extraordinary view of a miniature shrine that is part of the Waddesdon Bequest at the museum.  The miniature in question is from the northern Netherlands and dated to the year A.D. 1510 and overflows with scenes from the life of Our Lord complete with a lovely rising miniature of the Blessed Mother in its heart.

The host of the video is Dora Thornton, the curator of the Bequest. Her explanation of this exquisite masterpiece is almost like the joy and wonder of a child's eyes at Christmas.  

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Our Lady of Sorrows Litany (Anglican)

An Anglo-Catholic litany

Be merciful, O Lord, to us sinners, and at the pleading of thy mother, sorrowing in thine agony and sharing in thy bitter cup, O Jesus mercy.

Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us.

Be merciful O Lord, to us sinners and at the pleading of thy mother, suffering in thy sufferings and bruised with thy stripes, O Jesus mercy.

Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us.

Be merciful, O Lord, to us sinners, and at the pleading of thy mother, who saw thee crowned with thorns and robed with shame, O Jesus mercy.

Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us.

Be merciful, O Lord, to us sinners, and at the pleading of thy mother, whose love unvanquished trod thy way of sorrows, O Jesus mercy;

Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us.

Be merciful, O Lord, to us sinners, and at the pleading of thy mother, whose soul was pierced beneath thy Cross, O Jesus mercy.

Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us.

Eric Milner-White

"Jesu, Jesu, Jesu, have mercy on me."

Saint Margaret Clitherow

Mother Cecile of Grahamstown

We will remember her.

I take this occasion to raise the question of the honouring of those blessed souls in the Anglican Church who were clearly saints to their people: how are they to be remembered by those who enter the Ordinariates or by those who find other ways to carry on.  

Today is not the Anglican Feast Day of Mother Cecile, but I decided to let my focus fall on her by way of underlining the significant number of Anglican holy souls who laboured in the Vineyard of the Lord in Africa.  

If a nation can remember its war dead with ceremony and the heart-rending declaration "We will remember them." then surely something should be done so that we remember with even greater devotion those soldiers in the Lord's own armies without whose labour for Christ we should not be where we are today in the arms of the Saviour.   

Do not the martyrs of our own era especially deserve recollection, and should we not call on them for their prayers? Manche Masemola, pray for us!  Janani Luwum, pray for us!

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A few quotations from the sainted Mother Cecile of Grahamstown:

"Nothing helps one so much 

as to fix one's mind on Christ 

and let Him teach one how, 

from the Manger to the Cross, 

Incarnate Love gave to the uttermost. 

"If we look long enough at that great fact, 

the nails may still be iron, 

but there comes the grace and strength 

not to wish to come down 

from our own cross."

Mother Cecile of Grahamstown

Mother Cecil, pray for us.

"We must never forget 

that Our Blessèd Lord Himself 

first looked out in human form 

upon this world of ours 

in the face of a little child; 

and we want to nurture and train 

his children for Him, 

that their life and their work here on earth 

may be a steadfast looking up 

to the Face of Our Lord Jesus Christ. "

Mother Cecile of Grahamstown

The Sisters of the Community

Of the Resurrection of Our Lord

Remembered: 20 February

South Africa

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The Office of Our Lady (Anglican)

There are a number of 'little offices' of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Anglican provenance.  Some are mere copies of the Latin original put into Prayer Book English.  There are other interesting offices composed from ancient Bridgettine and Carmelite material but for Anglican usage.  Then there are those that use the basic Book of Common Prayer office format (and diction) with the additions of original material. The following is a small illustration of the latter form and is entitled "The Office of Our Lady" from Cambridge Offices and Orisons, 1921 arranged by Eric Milner-White and BTD Smith:

THE OFFICE OF OUR LADY

V.  O God, make speed to save us ;

R.  O Lord, make haste to help us.

V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost ;

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

Alelluia.

HYMN.

O GLORIOUS Maid, exalted far

Beyond the light of burning star,

From him who made thee thou hast won

Grace to be Mother of his Son.

That which was lost in hapless Eve

Thy holy Scion did retrieve :

The tear-worn sons of Adam's race

Through thee have seen the heavenly place.

Thou wast the gate of heaven's high Lord,

The door through which the Light hath poured.

Christians rejoice, for through a Maid

To all mankind is life conveyed !

Amen. 

[English Hymnal 215.]

Antiphon. The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee : and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee.

MAGNIFICAT.

  + MY soul doth magnify the Lord : and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

  For he hath regarded : the lowliness of his handmaiden.

  For behold, from henceforth : all generations shall call me blessèd.

  For he that is mighty hath magnified me : and holy is his Name.

  And his mercy is on them that fear him : throughout all generations.

  He hath shewed strength with his arm : he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

  He hath put down the mighty from their seat : and hath exalted the humble and meek.

  He hath filled the hungry with good things : and the rich he hath sent empty away.

  He remembering his mercy hath hoplen his servant Israle : as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed, for ever.

  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.

Antiphon. The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee : and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee.

CHAPTER. (REV. xii. 1.)

THERE appeard a great wonder in heaven ; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars.

R.  Thanks be to God.

V.  He brought me into the banqueting house : and his banner over me was love ;

R.  He brought me into the banqueting house : and his banner over me was love.

V.  He set the royal crown upon her head ;

R.  And his banner over me was love.

V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost ;

R.  He brought me into the banqueting house : and his banner over me was love.

V.  Behold the handmaid of the Lord ;

R.  Be it unto me according to thy Word.

V.  The Lord be with you.

R.  And with thy spirit.

Let us pray.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who by the overshadowing of the Holy Ghost didst prepare the body and soul of the glorious Virgin-Mother Mary to be a dwelling-place for thy Son ; Grant that we who rejoice in her commemoration may at her tender intercession be kept unspottèd, and made a pure temple for his dwelling ; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

V.  The Lord be with you ;

R.  And with thy spirit.

V.  Let us bless the Lord ;

R.  Thanks be to God.

Cambridge Offices and Orisons, 1921 

Eric Milner-White and BTD Smith

Custódes hóminum (Mode VII)

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For whatever reason this post prepared for the Feast of the Guardian Angels did not show up until the 12th day of October.  'Tis true that on any day we have reason to praise God Most High for His exceeding great care for us in providing each soul with the ministry of the Holy Angelic Guardians.  So with the delay in posting I added a translation and a polyphonic setting which I gratefully borrowed from the always splendid New Liturgical Movement blog.

1. Custodes hominum psallimus angelos,

Naturae fragili quos Pater addidit

Coelestis comites, insidiantibus

Ne succumberet hostibus.

Angel-guardians of men, spirits and powers we sing,

Whom our Father hath sent, aids to our weakly frame,

Heavenly friends and guides, help from on high to bring,

Lest we fail through the foeman's wile.

2. Nam quod corruerit proditor angelus,

Concessis merito pulsus honoribus,

Ardens invidia pellere nititur

Quos coelo Deus advocat.

He, the spoiler of souls, angel-traitor of old,

Cast in merited wrath out of his honoured place,

Burns with envy and hate, seeking their souls to gain

Whom God's mercy invites to heaven.

3. Huc custos igitur pervigil advola,

Avertens patria de tibi credita

Tam morbos animi, quam requiescere

Quidquid non sinit incolas.

Therefore come to our help, watchful ward of our lives:

Turn aside from the land God to thy care confides

Sickness and woe of soul, yea, and what else of ill

Peace of heart to its folk denies.

4. Sanctae sit Triadi laus pia jugiter,

Cujus perpetuo numine machina

Triplex haec regitur, cujus in omnia

Regnat gloria saecula. Amen.

Now to the Holy Three praise evermore resound:

Under whose hand divine resteth the triple world

Governed in wondrous wise: glory be theirs and might

While the ages unending run. Amen.

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“Do not fear ...”

Do not fear what may happen tomorrow. 

The same loving Father who cares for you today 

will care for you tomorrow and everyday. 

Either he will shield you from suffering 

or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it. 

Be at peace then 

and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginings. 

St. Francis de Sales

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For All Sorts & Conditions, Be Mindful, O Lord

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GOD, the Creator and Preserver of all mankind, we humbly beseech thee for all sorts and conditions of men: that thou wouldest be pleased to make thy ways known unto them, thy saving health unto all nations. More especially, we pray for the good estate of the Catholic Church; that she may be so guided and governed by thy good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Finally, we commend to thy fatherly goodness all those, who are any ways afflicted, or distressed, in mind, body, or estate; [*especially those for whom our prayers are desired;] that it may please thee to comfort and relieve them, according to their several necessities, giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. And this we beg for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Book of Common Prayer, 1662, alt.
The Church of England
(Anglican Communion)

Be mindful, O Lord, of thy people present here before thee, and of those who are absent through age, sickness, or infirmity. Care for the infants, guide the young, support the aged, encourage the faint-hearted, collect the scattered, and bring back the wandering to thy fold. Travel with the voyagers, defend the widows, shield the orphans, deliver the captives, heal the sick. Succour all who are in tribulation, necessity, or distress. Remember for good all those that love us, and those that hate us, and those that have desired us, unworthy as we are, to pray for them. And those whom we have forgotten, do thou, O Lord, remember. For thou art the helper of the helpless, the saviour of the lost, the refuge of the wanderer, the healer of the sick. Thou, who knowest the need of each one, and hast heard their prayer, grant unto each according to thy merciful loving-kindness, and thy eternal love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Book of Common Prayer, 2004
The Church of Ireland
(Anglican Communion)

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The Canticle of the Lamb

For whoever believes in the power of the Blood of Jesus,

nothing is impossible.

After a rather vigorous discussion today concerning the late Mother Basilea Schlink and the Evangelical Sisterhood of Mary , I was put in mind of her most important spiritual canticle — 'most important' in my humble opinion of course — a spiritual canticle to the Wounds of Jesus and the Blood of the Lamb entitled The Canticle of the Lamb.

Today I understand that the Evangelical Sisterhood of Mary uses a new English translation of the Canticle, but liturgically I prefer the diction of the first translation — which one may find in Celtic Daily Prayer and printed below. 

     I praise the Wounds 
          and the Blood of the Lamb

 
     I praise the Wounds and the Blood of the Lamb

              that heals the weakness of my body,

     I praise the Wounds and the Blood of the Lamb

              that heals the weakness of my soul,
 
     I praise the Wounds and the Blood of the Lamb

               that heals the weakness of my spirit!


     Praise be to the Blood of the Lamb in His forgiving power.

     Praise be to the Blood of the Lamb in His cleansing power.

     Praise be to the Blood of the Lamb in His saving power.

     Praise be to the Blood of the Lamb in His releasing power.

     Praise be to the Blood of the Lamb in His victorious power.

     Praise be to the Blood of the Lamb in His renewing power.

     Praise be to the Blood of the Lamb in His protecting power.

     For whoever believes in the power of the Blood of Jesus,      
             nothing is impossible.

     I praise the Blood of the Lamb that covers all my sins

          so that they can no longer be seen,
 
     I praise the Blood of the Lamb that cleanses me from all my sins

         and makes me white as snow,
 
     I praise the Blood of the Lamb that has power to free me

          from all my bondages and chains of sin.

     I praise the Blood of the Lamb that is stronger

          than my own sin-infested blood

              and remoulds me into the image of God,

     I praise the Blood of the Lamb that is victorious

         over all powers that seek to oppress me,

              over every power of the enemy.
 
     I praise the Blood of the Lamb

          that protects me from all the devious attacks of the enemy.

     I praise the Blood of the Lamb

          that prepares for me the bridal garment.

     I praise the Blood of the Lamb

          that makes all things new.

              Hallelujah! Amen.

M. Basilea Schlink

as translated in Celtic Daily Prayer

For whoever believes 
in the power of the Blood of Jesus,

nothing is impossible.

"After the Third Collect"

O LORD God Almighty, whose glory Cherubim and Seraphim and all the hosts of heaven with ceaseless voice proclaim ; Hear and accept, we humbly beseech thee, the praises of thy Church below ; and pour down upon thy ministers in choir and sanctuary such a spirit of faith, reverence and joy as shall lift both their hymns and their lives unto thee ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Eric Milner-White

O GOD and Father of all, whom the whole heavens adore ; Let the whole earth also worship thee, all kingdoms obey thee, all tongues confess and bless thee, and the sons of men love thee and serve thee in peace ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


O LORD, who hast warned us that thou wilt require much of those to whom much is given ; Grant that we, whose lot is cast in so goodly a heritage, may strive together the more abundantly, by prayer, by almsgiving, by fasting, and by all appointed means to extend to those who know thee not what we so richly enjoy ; and as we have entered into the labours of others, so to labour that others many enter into ours, to the fulfillment of thy holy will, and the salvation of all mankind ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

from After the Third Collect 
(Anglican), 1952

Uher Hymn: O Christ the King, the Royal Banners Rise

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With a beautiful tune by Noel Jones  entitled 'GALVESTON ISLAND' (the location where I wrote this hymn text and my home for many a year), the hymn "O Christ the King, the Royal Banners Rise" has proven to be a very versatile text for use during the church year. 

The text was written in Thanksgiving for the Revd Fr James T. Moore, PhD and his priesthood.  Father Moore was the founding pastor of Our Lady of Walsingham Catholic Church - Anglican Use, Houston, Texas.  Now in his retirement Father Moore remains dearly loved by his former congregation.  I remain deeply grateful to him for his warm welcome when I arrived at his door like a bedraggled, ship-wrecked castaway.

The image below is linked to a PDF of the hymn located on the CMAA's MusicaSacra.com website.  As with all of my hymns, I pray that this hymn will be used by many congregations and parishes to praise and glorify Our Living Lord and Saviour.  

+Laus Deo!

Comes Wisdom

"In our sleep, pain which cannot forget

falls drop by drop upon the heart

until, in our own despair,

against our will, comes wisdom

through the awful grace of God."

Aeschylus

Agamemnon