Memorial Day in the USA

From Fulton Sheen's "Wartime Prayer Book"

Our Father, who art in Heaven: give us, we pray You,
the courage and the strength to stamp out the threat
of paganism and slavery that hangs over the world today.

Be merciful to all those who have died in the service of our country.

Console those who have lost their loved ones in the struggle.

Help our fighting men to be always clean of heart and therefore unafraid.

Soothe the wounded in battle.

Sustain the courage of those who suffer persecution for conscience' sake.

Have pity on all those who have been
insulted, robbed, tortured, defiled, enslaved by their conquerors.

Grant wisdom to our leaders, civil and military,
that they may most effectively direct our efforts, at home and abroad.

Teach us all to walk humbly with You, so that we may be worthy to conquer, and having conquered may build a peace with justice, based on the Brotherhood of Man, under the Fatherhood of God.

Amen.

More on Bishop Sheen's "Wartime Prayer Book"

+Laus Deo.

A Bit of Verse before Nightfall

By Vincent Uher


After Compline

Lord God, when I upon my bed,
forgotten, to the world as dead,
you come to me, my life-long Friend,
oh, Jesus, stay with me.

The light of evening lingering,
a joy, like flame now uprising,
you breathe into my soul a spring,
oh, Jesus, stay with me.

Soon moon and stars will shine above.
I rest here cradled in your love
till dawns the day we go beyond,
oh, Jesus, stay with me.


Copyright © 2010 by Vincent Wm Uher III

The image of a pastel in this post is by Doug Dawson and is entitled
"In the Gentle Light of the Window"

+Laus Deo!

Music of the Anglican Patrimony

A few selections from YouTube illustrating the Anglican Patrimony in anthem and hymnody. May you be blest in the hearing of songs of praise.

Southwark Cathedral: "Litany of the Holy Spirit"


Westminster Abbey: "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind"


And a reminder that this Anglican Patrimony can be sung beautifully by Roman Catholics and Anglicans together:
Liverpool Roman Catholic Cathedral: "Thy Hand, O Lord, Has Guided"

+Laus Deo!

In Whitsuntide

The Octave of Pentecost

THE VIGIL OF PENTECOST
GRANT, we beseech thee, Almighty God : that the splendour of thy glory may shine forth upon us ; and that the light of thy light may, by the illumination of the Holy Spirit, strengthen the hearts of them who through thy grace are born again. Through JESUS Christ thy Son, our Lord : Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.


THE DAY OF PENTECOST, WHITSUNDAY
O GOD, who as at this time didst teach the hearts of thy faithful people, by sending to them the light of thy Holy Spirit : grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgement in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort. Through the merits of Christ JESUS our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

ALMIGHTY and most merciful God : grant, we beseech thee ; that by the indwelling of thy Holy Spirit, we may enlightenend and strengthened for thy service. Through JESUS Christ our Lord, who liveth and and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Holy Spirit ever, one God, world without end. Amen.


MONDAY IN WHITSUN WEEK
SEND, we beseech thee, Almighty God, thy Holy Spirit into our hearts : that he may direct and rule us according to thy will, comfort us in all our afflictions, defend us from all error, and lead us into all truth. Through JESUS Christ our Lord, who with thee and the same Holy Spirit, liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end. Amen.


TUESDAY IN WHITSUN WEEK
GRANT, we beseech thee, merciful God : that thy Church, being gathered together in unity by thy Holy Spirit ; may manifest thy power among all peoples, to the glory of thy Name. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.


EMBER WEDNESDAY IN WHITSUN WEEK
WE beseech thee, O Lord, that the Comforter which proceedeth from thee may enlighten our minds : and lead us as thy Son hath promised, into all truth. Who livest and reignest with thee, in the unity of the same Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

GRANT, we beseech thee, almighty and merciful God : that the Holy Ghost descending on us may by his gracious indwelling render us a temple of his glory. Through JESUS Christ, thy Son, our Lord : Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.


THURSDAY IN WHITSUN WEEK
O GOD, who as at this time didst teach the hearts of thy faithful people, by sending to them the light of thy Holy Spirit : grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgement in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort. Through the merits of Christ JESUS our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.


EMBER FRIDAY IN WHITSUN WEEK
GRANT, we beseech thee, O merciful God : that thy Church, being knit together in the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, may not fear the assaults of any adversary. Through JESUS Christ, thy Son, our Lord : Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.


EMBER SATURDAY IN WHITSUN WEEK
WE beseech thee, O Lord, that thy Holy Spirit, by whose wisdom we were created, and by whose providence we are governed, may of thy mercy be poured into our hearts. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord : Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

WE beseech thee, O Lord, that thy Holy Spirit may inflame our hearts with that same fire, which our Lord JESUS Christ sent upon earth, and willed that it should be kindled exceedingly. Through the same JESUS Christ thy Son, our Lord : Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

O GOD, who for the healing of our souls hast commanded us to chasten our bodies with godly fasting : mercifully grant unto us ; that both in body and soul we may ever be devoutly given to thy service. 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.

GRANT, we beseech thee, O Lord ; that we being taught by fasting in the way of salvation, and likewise abstaining from all vices that may hurt the soul, may more readily obtain the pardon of thy loving-kindness. 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.

GRANT, we beseech thee, Almighty God : that we may in such wise abstain from carnal feasting; that we may likewise fast from all sins that beset us. 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.

O GOD, who for the deliverance of the Three Children didst assuage the flames of fire : mercifully grant that the fiery assaults of temptation may have no power upon us thy servants. 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.

THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER
A.D. MMIX

Lancelot Andrewes Press

+ Laus Deo!

In the Octave of Pentecost

A Prayer for the Seven-fold Gift

O HOLY Ghost, my Lord and my God, who hast over-shadowed the Blessed Virgin Mary and formed the most holy humanity of my Saviour Jesus Christ, I adore thee, and acknowledge here in thy divine presence, that I am nothing and can do nothing without thee. Come, thou blessed Spirit of God, and dwell in this soul that longs to be thy holy temple. Heal the lurking distemper of my heart and infuse thy grace into the well-springs of my life.

O Holy Ghost, grant me the gift of wisdom and supernatural light, that I may not only know God, his infinite goodness, power, and beauty, but also taste with ardent joy of heart his infinite sweetness.

O Holy Ghost, grant me the gift of understanding and shining light, that I may know the mysteries of faith and of heavenly things, not as in darkness, but in the true light of thy wisdom filling my mind and heart.

O Holy Ghost, grant me the gift of counsel and brilliant light, that in danger and doubt I may choose what is right and good, and under thy guidance attain a happy end.

O Holy Ghost, grant me the gift of fortitude and comforting light, that I may generously overcome all difficulties in the way of salvation, resisting all temptations, and bearing patiently all the troubles and trials of this life.

O Holy Ghost, grant me the gift of knowledge and discerning light, that I may judge of all things according to their true worth, and despise what is to be despised and love what is to be loved.

O Holy Ghost, grant me the gift of godliness and heavenly light, which may penetrate my soul with a tender devotion to thee and love for thy divine service, and also cause me to find happiness in practising good works.

O Holy Ghost, grant me the gift of the fear of God and penetrating light, that I may recognise how greatly sin offends thine infinite majesty, and may fear and most carefully avoid all that is displeasing to thee. Amen.

from St. Augustine's Prayer Book
(Anglican/Episcopalian, USA)

+Laus Deo!

Useful Prayers in the Octave of Pentecost

Saint Katherine of Sienna


Prayer to the Holy Ghost

HOLY Spirit, come into my heart;
draw it to Thee by Thy power, O my God,
and grant me charity with filial fear.
Preserve me, O ineffable Love,
from every evil thought;
warm me, inflame me with Thy dear love,
and every pain will seem light to me.
My Father, my sweet Lord,
help me in all my actions.
Jesus, love, Jesus, love. Amen.



Saint Catherine's Aspirations to the Holy Trinity

O Eternal God! O Eternal Trinity! Through the union of Thy divine nature Thou hast made so precious the Blood of Thine only-begotten Son! O eternal Trinity, Thou art as deep a mystery as the sea, in whom the more I seek, the more I find; and the more I find, the more I seek. For even immersed in the depths of Thee, my soul is never satisfied, always famished and hungering for Thee, eternal Trinity, wishing and desiring to see Thee, the True Light.

O eternal Trinity, with the light of understanding I have tasted and seen the depths of Thy mystery and the beauty of Thy creation. In seeing myself in Thee, I have seen that I will become like Thee. O eternal Father, from Thy power and Thy wisdom clearly Thou hast given to me a share of that wisdom which belongs to Thine Only-begotten Son. And truly hast the Holy Spirit, who procedeth from Thee, Father and Son, given to me the desire to love Thee.

O eternal Trinity, Thou art my maker and I am Thy creation. Illuminated by Thee, I have learned that Thou hast made me a new creation through the Blood of Thine Only-begotten Son because Thou art captivated by love at the beauty of Thy creation.

O eternal Trinity, O Divinity, O unfathomable abyss, O deepest sea, what greater gift could Thou givest me then Thy very Self? Thou art a fire that burns eternally yet never consumed, a fire that consumes with Thy heat my self-love. Again and again Thou art the fire who taketh away all cold heartedness and illuminateth the mind by Thy light, the light with which Thou hast made me to know Thy truth.

By this mirrored light I know Thou are the highest good, a good above all good, a fortunate good, an incomprehensible good, an unmeasurable good, a beauty above all beauty, a wisdom above all wisdom, for Thou art wisdom itself, the the food of angels, the fire of love that Thou givest to man.

Thou art the garment covering our nakedness. Thou feedest our family with Thy sweetness, a sweetness Thou art from which there is no trace of bitterness. O Eternal Trinity! Amen.

Saint Catherine of Siena

+Laus Deo!

Prayer to Our Lord

From the old Chaldean Evening Office

GLORY to thee, O Jesus, our triumphant king, brightness of the eternal Father, begotten before time and before aught had being ; we have no hope or expectation but in thee. By the intercession of the righteous and elect who have been pleasing to thee from the beginning, forgive us our sins and pardon our iniquities ; deliver us from our tribulations, grant our petitions and bring us to thy glory, protecting us by thy living Cross from all harms, seen and unseen, O Christ our hope, now, always, and for ever. Amen.

Of future Ordinariates and Liturgical Texts

Over at Shawn Tribe's magnificent The New Liturgical Movement blog, I made the following comment in response to a post on the future Ordinariates for former Anglicans entering the Catholic Church as well as the liturgical texts that will be authorised, and I post it here so that others may read my thoughts upon this important subject if they should happen upon it:

I offer a word of caution in this area. Each nation in the Anglican Communion is very different from England. Roman Catholics (and English Anglicans) often make the mistake that opinions in England are the authentic opinions of the Anglican Communion, and nothing could be further from the truth.

The good Father is largely correct in his general estimation of Anglican English preferences. However, what the Ordinariates require is a great generosity in the provisional authorisation of liturgical texts in order to meet the needs of Anglicans entering the Church in nations outside of England. The specific meaning is that Anglican texts like the English Missal, the Anglican Missal, and the Cowley American Missal will have a provisional place in the Ordinariates. Likewise, the Book of Divine Worship used by the Roman Catholic Anglican Use parishes in the States provides a wide and generous plan of all texts and rites in both hieratic English as well as the common current idiom.

There should be a period of long reflexion upon the Sarum Missal and the texts and rites of the Caroline Divines and the Non-Jurors, and it is without question that some or all of these texts are part of that rich Anglican patrimony of which Pope Benedict has so eloquently spoken. Generosity of provision simply means that more Anglicans will be able to find their way home to Holy Mother Church, and it is the reconciliation of Anglicans with the Church that is the point of any of these provisions. Generosity of provision is essential with an accent upon 'generosity' as the watchword of these endeavours.

+Laus Deo!

REGINA CAELI, Vatican City, 16 May A.D. 2010

The Holy Father gave such a wonderful message today before the Regina Caeli I decided to print it here in case any of my readership had not seen it or had time to take it all in. Pope Benedict XVI is the Great Unifier of Christians, and part of that work is to remind Christians the world over who they are in Christ and, indeed, just who is this Jesus of Nazareth who we own as God and Saviour...

Contrary to some of my friends, I have such overflowing joy in the Holy Ghost as I pray for Holy Church because some wild growth is being pruned from the Great Tree of Faith, limbs that had been torn off are being grafted back onto the one and only Tree which nourishes the Faithful ... One of the secrets of our Holy Father is his great love for St. Bernard of Clairvaux who so often figures in small talks and greetings the Holy Father gives both to the Faithful and to those apart from the Church. I am so hopeful for the immediate future of Holy Mother Church, and I pray the Lord will grant me a little more time to contribute as I can to the great work that is before all of us.

Please indulge me as I highlight and embolden certain phrases and sentences that I find overflowing with meaning and spiritual nourishment.

+ + +

On the Feast of the Ascension

"The Lord, Taking the Road to Heaven, Gives Us a Foretaste of Divine Life"

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today in Italy and other countries, the Ascension of Jesus into heaven is celebrated, which occurred 40 days after Easter. This Sunday is also the World Day for Social Communications, which has as its theme: "The Priest and Pastoral Ministry in a Digital World: New Media at the Service of the Word."

In the liturgy Jesus' final departure from his disciples is narrated (cf. Luke 24:50-51; Acts 1:2, 9); but this is not an abandonment because he remains with them, with us, forever, in a new form.

St. Bernard of Clairvaux explains that Jesus' ascension into heaven is accomplished in three stages:

"The first is the glory of the Resurrection; the second is the power to judge; and the third is sitting at the Father's right hand"

("Sermo de Ascensione Domini," 60, 2: Sancti Bernardi Opera, t. VI, 1, 291, 20-21).

This event is preceded by the blessing of the disciples, whom he prepares to receive the Holy Spirit, so that salvation be preached everywhere. Jesus himself says to them:

"You are witnesses to this. And behold, I send upon you Him whom my Father has promised" (cf. Luke 24:47-49).

The Lord draws the gaze of the Apostles, our gaze, to show how we should travel the good road during life on earth. Nevertheless, he remains in the plot of human history, he is near to each of us and guides our Christian path: He is the companion of those who are persecuted because of their faith, he is in the heart of those who are marginalized, he is present in those to whom the right to life is denied.

We can hear, see and touch the Lord Jesus in the Church, especially through the Word and the sacraments. In this regard I exhort children and young people, who are receiving the sacrament of Confirmation in this Easter season, to remain faithful to the Word of God and the teaching that comes from it, and to assiduously approach Confession and the Eucharist as well, conscious of being chosen and constituted to witness the Truth.

I renew my special invitation to my brothers in the priesthood, that "in their life and actions they distinguish themselves by a powerful evangelical witness" ("Letter Proclaiming a Year for Priests") and know also how to use the means of communication wisely, to make the life of the Church known and help the men of today to find the face of Christ (cf. "Message for the 46th World Day of Social Communications," January 24, 2010).

Dear Brothers and Sisters, the Lord, taking the road to heaven, gives us a foretaste of divine life already on earth. A 19th century Russian author wrote in his spiritual testament: "Observe the stars more. When you have a burden in your soul, look at the stars or the azure of heaven. When you feel sad, when they offend you, ... think about ... heaven. Then your soul will find rest" (N. Valentini - L. Žák [a cura], Pavel A. Florenskij. "Non dimenticatemi. Le lettere dal gulag del grande matematico, filosofo e sacerdote russo," Milano 2000, p. 418).

I thank the Virgin Mary, whom I was able to venerate at the shrine in Fatima a short time ago, for her maternal protection during the intense pilgrimage in Portugal. With confidence we address our prayer to her who watches over the witnesses of her beloved Son.

[Translation by Joseph G. Trabbic]

[After the recitation of the Regina Caeli, the Holy Father greeted the pilgrims in various languages. In English, he said:]

I greet with joy the English-speaking visitors who have come here today, and I pray that your pilgrimage to Rome will strengthen your faith and your love for the Risen Lord.

In the course of this week we will pray with the whole Church for the coming of the Holy Spirit, asking him to pour out his gifts upon our families, our parishes, and all whom we love.

May God bless all of you!

© Copyright 2010 -- Libreria Editrice Vaticana

Therefore let us be glad and merry!

This glorious day is the birthday of my sister Meredith who carries a zeal for Jesus and His Gospel that constantly inspires me. May the Lord grant my dear sister Meredith every blessing and grace to serve Him with love and joy in endless bliss. Amen and Amen.


From Mother St. Julian of Norwich, The Showings of Divine Love:

CHAPTER XXIV

“Our Lord looked unto His wounded Side, and beheld, rejoicing...

Lo! how I loved thee

THEN with a glad cheer our Lord looked unto His Side and beheld, rejoicing. With His sweet looking He led forth the understanding of His creature by the same wound into His Side within. And then he shewed a fair, delectable place, and large enough for all mankind that shall be saved to rest in peace and in love. (See note on the passage in lv., "long and broad, all full of endless heavens"; "He hath, beclosed in Him, all heavens and all joy and bliss.") And therewith He brought to mind His dearworthy blood and precious water which he let pour all out for love. And with the sweet beholding He shewed His blessed heart even cloven in two.

And with this sweet enjoying, He shewed unto mine understanding, in part, the blessed Godhead, stirring then the poor soul to understand, as it may be said, that is, to think on, the endless Love that was without beginning, and is, and shall be ever. And with this our good Lord said full blissfully:

Lo, how that I loved thee, as if He had said: My darling, behold and see thy Lord, thy God that is thy Maker and thine endless joy, see what satisfying and bliss I have in thy salvation; and for my love rejoice [thou] with me.

And also, for more understanding, this blessed word was said:

Lo, how I loved thee! Behold and see that I loved thee so much ere I died for thee that I would die for thee; and now I have died for thee and suffered willingly that which I may. And now is all my bitter pain and all my hard travail turned to endless joy and bliss to me and to thee. How should it now be that thou shouldst anything pray that pleaseth me but that I should full gladly grant it thee? For my pleasing is thy holiness and thine endless joy and bliss with me.

This is the understanding, simply as I can say it, of this blessed word:

Lo, how I loved thee.

This shewed our good Lord for to make us glad and merry.

+Laus Deo!

Litany of Our Lady of Prompt Succour

In the Name + of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Litany of Our Lady of Prompt Succour

Lord, have mercy upon us.

Christ, have mercy upon us.

Lord, have mercy upon us.

Christ, hear us.

Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven, have mercy upon us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy upon us.

Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy upon us.

Holy Mary, pray for us.

Mother of the Infant Jesus, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succour, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succour of all who invoke you with confidence, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succour of all who are devout toward the Infant Jesus, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succour for obtaining a lively faith, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succour for sustaining the hope of Christians, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succour for obtaining and persevering in charity, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succour for observing the law of God, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succour for observing perseverance in virtue and good works, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succour in every spiritual necessity, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succour against the revolt of self-will, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succour in the occasion of sin, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succour in every temptation, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succour against the evil spirit, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succour for obtaining contrition, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succour of those wishing to re-enter the path of salvation, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succour for the conversion of sinners, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succour in every temporal necessity, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succour in every affliction, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succour of afflicted families, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succour of the sick and the poor, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succour against contagious diseases and epidemics, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succour in every accident, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succour against destruction by fire, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succour against lightning and tempest, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succour against destruction by flood, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succour of travelers, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succour of navigators, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succour of the shipwrecked, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succour against the enemies of our country, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succour in time of war, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succour of those aspiring to the holy priesthood and the religious life, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succour of laborers in the Lord's vineyard, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succour of missionaries who spread the faith, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succour of our Holy Father the Pope, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succour for those searching for the faith, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succour against the enemies of the Church, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succour at the hour of death, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succour for the deliverance of the souls in purgatory, pray for us.

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.

V: Our Lady of Prompt Succor, pray for us.

R: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

O Almighty and Eternal God, Who sees us surrounded by so many dangers and miseries, grant in Your infinite goodness that the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Your Divine Son, may defend us from the evil spirit and protect us against all adversities, that always and with prompt succor she may deliver us from every evil of soul and body, and safely guide us to the kingdom of heaven, through the merits of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

Contemplation:

If our eyes are always on heaven and God, at the end of life we will find ourselves in His Presence.

(Recitation of the Rosary)

Imprimatur:
Joseph F. Rummel
Archbishop of New Orleans.
New Orleans.
February 11, 1936.

+Kyrie eleison!