In Festo SS. Phillipi & Jacobi (Mai. 1), Acta

In Festo SS. Phillipi & Jacobi (Mai. 1), Acta

From Matins of Ss. Phillip and James, Apostles
Online source: www.breviary.net

Second Nocturn
The Psalms and Antiphons for the Second Nocturn are taken from the Common
Absolutio: Ipsíus píetas et misericórdia nos ádjuvet, qui cum Patre et Spíritu Sancto vivit et regnat in sæcula sæculórum.R.  Amen.	Absolution:  May his loving-kindness and mercy assist us.  Who, with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, for ever and ever. R.  Amen.
V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.	V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.
Benedíctio 4: Deus Pater omnípotens sit nobis propítius et clemens. R.  Amen.	Benediction 4:  May God the Father Almighty shew us his mercy and pity. R.  Amen.
Lesson iv
Philíppus Bethsáidæ natus, unus ex duódecim Apóstolis, qui primum a Christo Dómino vocáti sunt : a quo cum accepísset Nathánaël, venísse Messíam in lege promíssum, ad Dóminum dedúctus est.  Quam vero Christus eum familiáriter adhibéret, illud fácile declárat, quod Gentíles Salvatórem vidére cupiéntes, ad Philíppum accessérunt ; et Dóminus, cum in solitúdine hóminum multitúdinem páscere vellet, sic Philíppum affátus est : Unde emémus panes, ut mandúcent hi?  Is, accépto Spíritu Sancto, cum ei Scythia ad prædicándum Evangélium obtigísset, omnem fere illam gentem ad christiánam fidem convértit.  Postrémo, cum Hierápolim Phrygiæ venísset, pro Christi nómine cruci affíxus lapidibúsque óbrutus est, Kaléndis Maji.  Ejus corpus ibídem a Christiánis sepúltum, póstea Romam delátum, in basílica duódecim Apostolórum una cum córpore beáti Jacóbi Apóstoli cónditum est.	Philip was born in the town of Bethsaida, and was among the first of the twelve Apostles called by the Lord Christ.  Then Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him : We have found him of whom Moses in the Law, and the Prophets, did write.  And so he brought him to the Lord.  How familiarly he was in the company of Christ, is manifest from that which is written : There were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the Feast : the same came therefore to Philip, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.  When the Lord was in the wilderness, and was about to feed a great multitude, he said unto Philip : Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?  Philip, after that he had received the Holy Ghost, took Scythia, by lot, as the land wherein he was to preach the Gospel, and brought nearly all that people to believe in Christ.  At the last he came to Hierapolis in Phrygia, and there, for Christ's Name's sake, he was fastened to a cross and stoned to death.  The day was the first of May.  The Christians of Hierapolis buried his body at that place, but it was afterwards brought to Rome and laid in the Basilica of the Twelve Apostles, beside that of the blessed Apostle James.
V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis. R.  Deo grátias.	V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us. R.  Thanks be to God.
Hierapolis
R.  Lux perpétua lucébit Sanctis tuis, Dómine, * Etætérnitas témporum, allelúja, allelúja.V.  Lætítia sempitérna erit super cápita eórum : gáudium et exsultatiónem obtinébunt. R.  Et ætérnitas témporum, allelúja, allelúja.	R.  Light perpetual shall shine upon thy Saints, *  And an ageless eternity, alleluia, alleluia.V.  Everlasting joy shall be upon their heads : they shall obtain joy and gladness. R.  And an ageless eternity, alleluia, alleluia.
V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.	V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.
Benedíctio 5: Christus perpétuæ det nobis gáudia vitæ.R.  Amen.	Benediction 5: May Christ bestow upon us the joys of life eternal. R.  Amen.
Lesson v
Jacóbus frater Dómini, cognoménto Justus, ab ineúnte ætáte vinum et síceram non bibit, carne abstínuit, numquam tonsus est, nec unguénto nec bálneo usus.  Huic uni licébat íngredi in Sancta sanctórum.  Idem líneis véstibus utebátur : cui étiam assidúitas orándi ita callum génibus obdúxerat, ut durítie caméli pellem imitarétur.  Eum post Christi ascensiónem Apóstoli Jerosolymórum epíscopum creavérunt ; ad quem étiam Princeps Apostolórum misit qui nuntiáret se e cárcere ab Angelo edúctum fuísse.  Cum autem in concílio Jerosólymis controvérsia esset orta de lege et circumcisióne ; Jacóbus, Petri senténtiam secútus, ad fratres hábuit conciónem, in qua vocatiónem Géntium probávit, fratribúsque abséntibus scribéndum esse dixit, ne Géntibus jugum Mosáicæ legis impónerent.  De quo et lóquitur Apóstolus ad Gálatas : Alium autem Apostolórum vidi néminem, nisi Jacóbum fratrem Dómini.	James, surnamed the Just, the brother of our Lord Jesus Christ, was a Nazarite from the womb.  During his whole life he never drank wine or strong drink, never ate meat, never shaved, and never took a bath.  He was the only man who was allowed to go into the Holy of Holies.  His raiment was always linen.  So continually did he kneel in prayer, that the skin of his knees became horny, like a camel's knees.  After Christ was ascended, the Apostles made James Bishop of Jerusalem : and even the Prince of the Apostles gave special intelligence to him after that he was delivered from prison by an angel.  When in the Council of Jerusalem certain questions were mooted touching the law and circumcision, James, following the opinion of Peter, addressed a discourse to the brethren, wherein he proved the call of the Gentiles, and commanded letters to be sent to such brethren as were absent, that they might take heed not to lay upon the Gentiles the yoke of the Law of Moses.  It is of him that the Apostle Paul saith, writing to the Galatians : Other of the Apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.
V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis. R.  Deo grátias.	V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us. R.  Thanks be to God.
R.  Virtúte magna reddébant Apóstoli * Testimónium resurrectiónis Jesu Christi Dómini nostri, allelúja, allelúja.V.  Repléti quidem Spíritu Sancto, loquebántur cum fidúcia verbum Dei. R.  Testimónium resurrectiónis Jesu Christi Dómini nostri, allelúja, allelúja.	R.  With great power gave the Apostles *  Witness of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, alleluia, alleluia. V.  Verily they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the Word of God with boldness. R.  Witness of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, alleluia, alleluia.
V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.	V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.
Benedíctio 6: Ignem sui amóris accéndat Deus in córdibus nostris. R.  Amen.	Benediction 6: May God enkindle in our hearts the fire of his holy love. R.  Amen.
Lesson vi
Tanta autem erat Jacóbi vitæ sanctitas, ut fímbriam vestiménti ejus certátim hómines cúperent attíngere.  Nam is nonagínta sex annos natus, cum trigínta annis illi Ecclésiæ sanctíssime præfuísset, Christum Dei Fílium constantíssime prædicans, lapídibus primum appétitur ; mox in altíssimum Templi locum addúctus, inde præcipitátus est.  Qui, confráctis crúribus, jacens semivívus, manus tendébat ad cælum, Deúmque pro illórum salúte deprecabátur his verbis : Ignósce eis, Dómine, quia nésciunt quid fáciunt.  Qua in oratióne, gráviter ejus cápite fullónis fuste percússo, ánimam Deo réddidit, séptimo Nerónis anno, et juxta Templum ubi præcipitátus fúerat, sepúltus est.  Unam scripsit epístolam, quæ de septem cathólicis est.	So great was James' holiness of life that men strove one with another to touch the hem of his garment.  When he was ninety-six years old, and had most holily governed the Church of Jerusalem for thirty years, ever most constantly preaching Christ the Son of God, he laid down his life for the faith.  He was first stoned, and afterward taken up on to a pinnacle of the Temple and cast down from thence.  His legs were broken by the fall, and he was wellnigh dead, but he lifted up his hands towards heaven, and prayed to God for the salvation of his murderers, saying : Lord, forgive them, for they know not what they do.  As he said this, one that stood by smote him grievously upon the head with a fuller's club, and he resigned his spirit to God.  He testified in the seventh year of Nero, and was buried hard by the Temple, in the place where he had fallen.  He wrote one of the Seven Epistles which are called Catholic.
V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis. R.  Deo grátias.	V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us. R.  Thanks be to God.
The Armenian Cathedral of St. James, Jerusalem
R.  Isti sunt agni novélli, qui annuntiavérunt, allelúja : modo venérunt ad fontes, * Repléti sunt claritáte, allelúja, allelúja. V.  In conspéctu Agni amícti sunt stolis albis, et palmæ in mánibus eórum. R.  Repléti sunt claritáte, allelúja, allelúja. V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto. R.  Repléti sunt claritáte, allelúja, allelúja.	R.  Behold the firstlings of the flock, the lambs new-born who have proclaimed, alleluia : they came but just now unto the well : * They are all of a glistering whiteness, alleluia, alleluia. V.  In the presence of the Lamb they are clothed with white robes, and hold palms in their hands. R.  They are all of a glistering whiteness, alleluia, alleluia. V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. R.  They are all of a glistering whiteness, alleluia, alleluia.

In Festo S. Catharinae Sinensis (Apr. 30), Acta

In Festo S. Catharinae Sinensis (Apr. 30), Acta

From Matins of the Feast of St. Catherine of Siena, Virgin, Doctor
Online source: www.breviary.net.

Second Nocturn
Siena Cathedral
Absolutio: Ipsíus píetas et misericórdia nos ádjuvet, qui cum Patre et Spíritu Sancto vivit et regnat in sæcula sæculórum.R.  Amen.	Absolution:  May his loving-kindness and mercy assist us.  Who, with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, for ever and ever. R.  Amen.
V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.	V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.
Benedíctio 4: Deus Pater omnípotens sit nobis propítius et clemens. R.  Amen.	Benediction 4:  May God the Father Almighty shew us his mercy and pity. R.  Amen.
Lesson iv
Siena, where St. Catherine was born in 1347
Catharína, virgo Senénsis, piis orta paréntibus, beáti Domínici hábitum quem soróres de Pœniténtia gestant, impetrávit.  Summa ejus fuit abstinéntia et admirábilis vitæ austéritas.  Invénta est aliquándo a die Cínerum usque ad Ascensiónem Dómini jejúnium perduxísse, sola Eucharístiæ communióne conténta.  Luctabátur quam frequentíssime cum dæmónibus, multísque illórum moléstiis vexabátur ; æstuábat fébribus, nec aliórum morbórum cruciátu carébat.  Magnum et sanctum erat Catharínæ nomen, et úndique ad eam ægróti et malígnis vexáti spirítibus deducebántur.  Languóribus et fébribus in Christi nómine imperábat, et dæmones cogébat ab obséssis abíre corpóribus.	Catherine was a maiden of Siena, and was born of godly parents.  She took the habit of the Third Order of St. Dominic.  Her fasts were most severe, and the austerity of her life wonderful.  It was discovered that on some occasions she took no food at all from Ash Wednesday till Ascension Day, receiving all needful strength by taking Holy Communion.  She was engaged oftentimes in a wrestling with devils, and was sorely tried by them with divers assaults : she was consumed by fevers, and suffered likewise from other diseases.  Great and holy was the name of Catherine, and sick folk, and such as were vexed with evil spirits were brought to her from all quarters.  Through the Name of Christ, she had command over sickness and fever, and forced the foul spirits to leave the bodies of the tormented.
V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis. R.  Deo grátias.	V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us. R.  Thanks be to God.
R.  Propter veritátem, et mansuetúdinem, et justítiam : * Et dedúcet te mirabíliter déxtera tua, allelúja. V.  Spécie tua et pulchritúdine tua inténde, próspere procéde, et regna. R.  Et dedúcet te mirabíliter déxtera tua, allelúja.	R.  Ride on because of the Word of truth, of meekness, and righteousness : * And thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things, alleluia. V.  In thy comeliness, yea, in thy beauty, go forth, ride prosperously, and reign. R.  And thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things, alleluia.
The Home of St. Catherine of Siena is now a museum
V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.	V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.
Benedíctio 5: Christus perpétuæ det nobis gáudia vitæ.R.  Amen.	Benediction 5: May Christ bestow upon us the joys of life eternal. R.  Amen.
Lesson v
Cum Pisis immorarétur, die Domínico, refécta cibo cælésti et in éxtasim rapta, vidit Dóminum crucifíxum magno cum lúmine adveniéntem, et ex ejus vúlnerum cicatrícibus quinque rádios ad quinque loca sui córporis descendéntes ; ideóque, mystérium advértens, Dóminum precáta ne cicatríces apparérent, contínuo rádii colórem sanguíneum mutavérunt in spléndidum, et in formam puræ lucis pervenérunt ad manus, pedes et cor ejus ; ac tantus erat dolor, quem sensibíliter patiebátur, ut nisi Deus minuísset, brevi se créderet moritúram.  Hanc ítaque grátiam amantíssimus Dóminus nova grátia cumulávit, ut sentíret dolórem illápsa vi vúlnerum, et cruénta signa non apparérent.  Quod ita contigísse cum Dei fámula confessário suo Raymúndo retulísset, ut óculis étiam repræsentarétur, rádios in imagínibus beátæ Catharínæ ad dicta quinque loca pertingéntes, pia fidélium cura pictis colóribus expréssit.	While she dwelt at Pisa, on a certain Lord's Day, after she had received the Living Bread which came down from heaven, she was in the spirit ; and saw the Lord nailed to the Cross advancing towards her.  There was a great light round about him, and five rays of light streaming from the five marks of the Wounds in his Feet, and Hands, and Side, which smote her upon the five corresponding places in her body.  When Catherine perceived this vision, she besought the Lord that no marks might become manifest upon her flesh, and straightway the five beams of light changed from the colour of blood into that of gold, and touched in the form of pure light her feet, and hands, and side.  At this moment the agony which she felt was so piercing, that she believed that if God had not lessened it, she would have died.  Thus the Lord in his great love for her, gave her this great grace, in a new and twofold manner, namely, that she felt all the pain of the wounds, but without there being any bloody marks to meet the gaze of men.  This was the account given by the handmaiden of God to her Confessor Raymund, and it is for this reason that when the godly wishes of the faithful lead them to make pictures of the blessed Catherine, they paint her with golden rays of light proceeding from those five places in her body which correspond to the five places wherein our Lord was wounded by the nails and spear.
V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis. R.  Deo grátias.	V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us. R.  Thanks be to God.
R.  Dilexísti justítiam, et odísti iniquitátem : *Proptérea unxit te Deus, Deus tuus, óleo lætítiæ, allelúja.V.  Propter veritátem, et mansuetúdinem, et justítiam. R.  Proptérea unxit te Deus, Deus tuus, óleo lætítiæ, allelúja.	R.  Thou hast loved righteousness and hated iniquity :* Wherefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness, alleluia.V.  Because of the Word of truth, of meekness, and of righteousness. R.  Wherefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness, alleluia.
St. Catherine of Siena dicates her Dialogues
V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.	V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.
Benedíctio 6: Ignem sui amóris accéndat Deus in córdibus nostris. R.  Amen.	Benediction 6: May God enkindle in our hearts the fire of his holy love. R.  Amen.
Lesson vi
The Palace of the Popes, Avignon, Provence
Doctrína ejus infúsa, non acquisíta fuit ; sacrárum litterárum professóribus difficíllimas de divinitáte quæstiónes proponéntibus respóndit.  Nemo ad eam accéssit, qui non mélior abíerit : multa exstínxit ódia, et mortáles sedávit inimicítias.  Pro pace Florentinórum, qui cum Ecclésia dissidébant et interdícto ecclesiástico suppósiti erant, Aveniónem ad Gregórium undécimum Pontíficem máximum profécta est.  Cui étiam votum ejus de peténda Urbe, soli Deo notum, sese divínitus cognovísse monstrávit : deliberavítque Póntifex, ea étiam suadénte, ad Sedem suam Románam personáliter accédere ; quod et fecit.  Eídem Gregório et Urbáno sexto ejus successóri acceptíssima fuit, adeo ut legatiónibus eórum funderétur.  Dénique post innúmera virtútum insígnia, dono prophetíæ et plúribus clara miráculis, anno ætátis suæ tértio círciter et trigésimo, migrávit ad Sponsum.  Quam Pius secúndus Póntifex máximus sanctárum Vírginum número adscrípsit.	The learning which Catherine had was not acquired but inspired.  She answered Professors of Divinity upon the very hardest questions concerning God.  No one was ever in her company without going away better.  She healed many hatreds, and quieted the most deadly feuds.  To make peace for the Florentines, who had quarrelled with the Church, and under an Ecclesiastical Interdict, she travelled to Avignon to to see the Supreme Pontiff Gregory XI.  To him she shewed that she had had revealed to her from heaven his secret purpose of going back to Rome, which had been known only to God and himself.  It was at her persuasion, as well as by his own judgment, that the Pope did in the end return to his own See.  She was much respected by this Gregory, as well as by his successor Urban VI, who even employed her in their embassies.  The Bridegroom took her home, when she was about thirty-three years old, after she had given almost countless proofs of extraordinary Christian graces, and manifestly displayed the gifts of Prophecy and miracles.  Pope Pius II enrolled her among the Virgin Saints.
V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis. R.  Deo grátias.	V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us. R.  Thanks be to God.
The Canonization of St. Catherine of Siena by Pope Pius II
R.  Afferéntur Regi vírgines post eam, próximæ ejus* Afferéntur tibi in lætítia et exsultatióne, allelúja.V.  Spécie tua et pulchritúdine tua inténde, próspere procéde, et regna. R.  Afferéntur tibi in lætítia et exsultatióne, allelúja. V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto. R.  Afferéntur tibi in lætítia et exsultatióne, allelúja.	R.  After her shall virgins be brought unto the King :* Her fellows shall be brought unto thee with gladness and rejoicing, alleluia.V.  In thy comeliness, yea, in thy beauty, go forth, ride prosperously, and reign. R.  Her fellows shall be brought unto thee with gladness and rejoicing, alleluia.V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. R.  Her fellows shall be brought unto thee with gladness and rejoicing, alleluia.
The Tomb of St. Catherine of Siena in the Church of Santa María sopra Minerva, Rome

Brian Harrison - "On Rewriting the Bible: Catholic Biblical Studies in the '60s"

Brian Harrison - "On Rewriting the Bible: Catholic Biblical Studies in the '60s"

Article originally published in Culture Wars magazine (January 1999).


Click here to view article (www.christianorder.com).

Funny

Funny

In Festo S. Canisii (Apr 27), Acta

In Festo S. Canisii (Apr 27), Acta

From Matins of the Feast of St. Peter Canisius, SJ - Confessor, Doctor
Online Source: www.breviary.net

Second Nocturn
Absolutio: Ipsíus píetas et misericórdia nos ádjuvet, qui cum Patre et Spíritu Sancto vivit et regnat in sæcula sæculórum.R.  Amen.	Absolution:  May his loving-kindness and mercy assist us.  Who, with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, for ever and ever. R.  Amen.
V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.	V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.
Benedíctio 4: Deus Pater omnípotens sit nobis propítius et clemens. R.  Amen.	Benediction 4:  May God the Father Almighty shew us his mercy and pity. R.  Amen.
Lesson iv
The town of Nimwegen, Netherlands
Petrus Canísius, Noviómagi in Gélria eo ipso anno natus est, quo Luthérus in Germánia apérta rebellióne ab Ecclésia descívit, et Ignátius de Loyóla, in Hispánia, terréstri milítia abdicáta, ad prœliánda prœlia Dómini se convértit ; Deo nimírum portendénte, quos ille posthac adversários, quem sacræ milítiæ ducem esset habitúrus.  Colóniæ Agrippínæ, quo studiórum causa concésserat, perpétuo castitátis voto se Deo obstrínxit, et paulo post Societáti Jesu nomen dedit.  Sacerdótio auctus, cathólicam fidem contra novatórum insídias legatiónibus, sermónibus, scriptis libris statim defendéndam suscépit.  Ob præcláram sapiéntiam et explorátum rerum usum a Cardináli Augustáno et a pontifíciis Legátis magnópere expetítus, semel atque íterum Concílio Tridentíno intérfuit ; cujus étiam decréta ex auctoritáte Pii quarti Pontíficis Máximi rite per Germániam promulgánda et in morem inducénda curávit.  A Paulo quarto ad convéntum Petricoviénsem ire jussus, aliísque a Gregório décimo tértio legatiónibus obeúndis adhíbitus, álacri semper et numquam fracto difficultátibus ánimo, gravíssima religiónis negótia tractávit, ac vel inter præséntia vitæ discrímina ad felícem éxitum perdúxit.	Peter Canisius was born at Nimwegen in the Netherlands, in the very year in which Luther openly rebelled against the Church in Germany, and in which Ignatius Loyola in Spain gave up earthly warfare to fight the battles of the Lord ; God thus shewed what adversaries he was to encounter, and under whose leadership he was to fight.  He made his studies at Cologne, where he took a vow to God of perpetual chastity, and shortly afterwards entered the Society of Jesus.  After his ordination as priest, he began at once to defend the Catholic faith against the wiles of the innovators by missions, sermons, and writing books.  His eminent wisdom and experience caused the Cardinal of Augsburg and the papal legates to invite him to the Council of Trent, and he was present at its sittings more than once.  Moreover, by the authority of the Supreme Pontiff, Pius IV, he was entrusted with the charge of making its decrees known in Germany and carrying them into effect.  Paul IV sent him to the Diet of Petrikau, and Gregory XIII entrusted him with the carrying out of other missions, all of which he undertook with an eager spirit, never conquered by any difficulties, and carried the most important affairs of religion through all the crises of this present life to a successful end.
V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis. R.  Deo grátias.	V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us. R.  Thanks be to God.
R.  Honéstum fecit illum Dóminus, et custodívit eum ab inimícis, et a seductóribus tutávit illum : *Et dedit illi claritátem ætérnam, allelúja.V.  Justum dedúxit Dóminus per vias rectas, et osténdit illi regnum Dei. R.  Et dedit illi claritátem ætérnam, allelúja.	R.  The Lord multiplied the fruit of his labours and defended him from his enemies, and kept him safe from those that lay in wait. * And gave him perpetual glory, alleluia. V.  The Lord guided the righteous in right paths, and shewed him the kingdom of God. R.  And gave him perpetual glory, alleluia.
V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.	V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.
Benedíctio 5: Christus perpétuæ det nobis gáudia vitæ.R.  Amen.	Benediction 5: May Christ bestow upon us the joys of life eternal. R.  Amen.
Lesson v
Supérno caritátis igne, quem in Basílica Vaticána e penetrálibus Cordis Jesu olim copiose háuserat, inflammátus, et divínæ glóriæ amplificándæ únice inténtus dici vix potest, quot, per annos ámplius quadragínta, labóres suscéperit, ærumnásque pertúlerit, ut complúres Germániæ civitátes ac províncias vel ab hæréseos contagióne defénderet, vel, hæresi inféctas, cathólicæ Fídei restitúeret.  In Ratisbonénsi et in Augustáno convéntu impérii próceres ad jura Ecclésiæ tuénda et mores populórum emendándos excitávit : in Vormatiénsi insolescéntes impietátis magístros ad siléntium adégit.  A sancto Ignátio Germániæ Superióris provínciæ præféctus, domos et collégia multis locis cóndidit.  Collégium Germánicum, Romæ constitútum, omni ope provéhere atque amplificáre stúduit ; in academíis sacrárum humanarúmque disciplinárum stúdia, miserándum in modum collápsa, instaurávit ; contra Centuriatóres Magdeburgénses duo volúmina egrégie conscrípsit : et summam doctrínæ christiánæ, theologórum judício et público trium sæculórum usu ubíque probatíssimam, alíaque complúra ad populórum institutiónem valde accommodáta in vulgus édidit.  Quamóbrem, hæreticórum málleus et alter Germániæ apóstolus appellátus, plane dignus hábitus est, qui ad tutándam in Germánia religiónem divínitus eléctus putarétur.	Inflamed with the heavenly fire of charity, which he had once received in the Vatican basilica from the sanctuary of the Heart of Jesus, and intent only on increasing the glory of God, it is almost impossible to describe how, for more than forty years, he took upon himself laborious tasks, and endured hardship, that he might defend very many cities and provinces of Germany from the contagion of heresy, or restore to the Catholic faith those that were infected with heresy.  At the Diets of Ratisbon and Augsburg, he exhorted the princes of the Empire to defend the rights of the Church and reform the lives of their subjects.  At Worms he reduced the insolent teachers of ímpiety to silence.  St. Ignatius made him prefect of the province of Upper Germany, where he founded houses and colleges in many places.  He used every effort to advance and enlarge the German College founded at Rome ; he restored the study of sacred and profane learning in academies, which had fallen into a wretched condition.  He wrote two excellent volumes against the Centuriators of Magdeburg ; and he edited a summary of Christian doctrine, which has been thoroughly approved by the judgment of theologians and by common use everywhere for three centuries, as well as very many other works useful for public instruction in the vulgar tongue.  For all these reasons he was called the Hammer of the Heretics, and the Second Apostle of Germany, and is rightly thought to have been worthy of having been chosen by God to protect religion in Germany.
V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis. R.  Deo grátias.	V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us. R.  Thanks be to God.
R.  Amávit eum Dóminus, et ornávit eum : stolam glóriæ índuit eum, * Et ad portas paradísi coronávit eum, allelúja.V.  Induit eum Dóminus lorícam fídei, et ornávit eum. R.  Et ad portas paradísi coronávit eum, allelúja.	R.  The Lord loved him and adorned him; he clothed him with a robe of glory : * And crowned him at the gates of Paradise, alleluia.V.  The Lord hath put on him the breast-plate of faith, and hath adorned him. R.  And crowned him at the gates of Paradise, alleluia.
V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.	V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.
Benedíctio 6: Ignem sui amóris accéndat Deus in córdibus nostris. R.  Amen.	Benediction 6: May God enkindle in our hearts the fire of his holy love. R.  Amen.
Lesson vi
Inter hæc, precatióne crebra et assídua rerum supernárum commentatióne, lácrimis sæpe perfúsus et ánimo intérdum a sénsibus abdúcto, Deo se conjúngere sólitus erat.  A viris princípibus vel sanctitáte claríssimis et a quátuor Summis Pontifícibus magno in honóre hábitus, ádeo de se demísse sentiébat, ut se ómnium mínimum et díceret et habéret.  Vindobonénsem episcopátum semel, íterum ac tértio recusávit.  Moderatóribus suis obsequentíssimus, parátus erat ad ipsórum nutum ómnia relínquere aut ággredi, étiam cum valetúdinis et vitæ perículo.  Voluntária sui ipsíus coërcitióne castitátem perpétuo sepsit.  Demum Fribúrgi Helvetiórum, ubi plúrimum pro Dei glória et salúte animárum últimis vitæ suæ annis desudáverat, migrávit ad Deum die vicésima prima Decémbris anno millésimo quingentésimo nonagésimo séptimo, ætátis suæ séptimo supra septuagésimum.  Hunc vero strénuum cathólicæ veritátis propugnatórem Pius Papa nonus cælitum Beatórum honóribus adáuxit ; novis autem fulgéntem signis Pius undécimus, Póntifex máximus, anno jubilæi, Sanctórum número accénsuit, simúlque Doctórem universális Ecclésiæ declarávit.	In these activities he was accustomed to unite himself to God by frequent prayer and assiduous meditation on heavenly things, often bathed in tears and sometimes with his soul rapt in ecstasy.  He was held in great honour by men of rank, or of most distinguished holiness, and by four of the Supreme Pontiffs, but he thought so humbly of himself, that he spake of and held himself as the least of all.  He refused the bishoprick of Vienna no less than three times.  He was most obedient to his superiors, and ready at their mere nod to stop or to undertake all labours, even at the risk of his health and life.  He guarded his chastity with perpetual voluntary self-mortification.  At length, at Fribourg in Switzerland, where during the last years of his life he had laboured much for the glory of God and the salvation of souls, he passed to God on the 21st day of December, 1597, in the seventy-seventh year of his age.  This zealous champion of Catholic truth was adorned with the heavenly honours of the blessed by Pope Pius IX ; and, as fresh miracles added to his renown, the Supreme Pontiff Pius XI, in the year of the Jubilee, included him among the Saints, and at the same time declared him a Doctor of the Universal Church.
V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis. R.  Deo grátias.	V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us. R.  Thanks be to God.
The town of Fribourg, Switzerland
R.  Iste homo perfécit ómnia quæ locútus est ei Deus, et dixit ad eum : Ingrédere in réquiem meam : * Quia te vidi justum coram me ex ómnibus géntibus, allelúja. V.  Iste est, qui contémpsit vitam mundi, et pervénit ad cæléstia regna. R.  Quia te vidi justum coram me ex ómnibus géntibus, allelúja. V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto. R.  Quia te vidi justum coram me ex ómnibus géntibus, allelúja.	R.  This is he which did according to all that God commanded him ; and God said unto him : Enter thou into my rest : * For thee have I seen righteous before me among all people, alleluia.V.  This is he which despised his life in this world, and is come unto an everlasting kingdom. R.  For thee have I seen righteous before me among all people, alleluia.V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. R.  For thee have I seen righteous before me among all people, alleluia.

Life of Grace is Heaven already Begun

Life of Grace is Heaven already Begun

From Leo XIII, Divinun illud munus (May 9, 1897):

It is well to recall the explanation given by the Doctors of the Church of the words of Holy Scripture. 

They say that God is present and exists in all things "by His power in so far as all things are subject to His power; by His presence, inasmuch as all things are naked and open to His eyes; by His essence, inasmuch as He is present to all as the cause of their being" (St. Thomas, ST I.8.3). 

But God is in man, not only as in inanimate things, but because He is more fully known and loved by him, since even by nature we spontaneously love, desire, and seek after the good. 

Moreover, God by grace resides in the just soul as in a temple, in a most intimate and peculiar manner. From this proceeds that union of affection by which the soul adheres most closely to God, more so than the friend is united to his most loving and beloved friend, and enjoys God in all fullness and sweetness.  Now this wonderful union, which is properly called "indwelling," differ[s] only in degree or state from that with which God beatifies the saints in heaven....

Pope Benedict Uses 1962 Missal for his Private Masses

Pope Benedict Uses 1962 Missal for his Private Masses

Link to read article on CatholicCulture.org

St. Anselm, "The Father of Scholasticism"

St. Anselm, "The Father of Scholasticism"

From D.J. Kennedy, O.P. - St. Thomas Aquinas and Medieval Philosophy, Chapter I: "The Rise of Scholasticism - St. Anselm (1034-1109)."

(Online source: University of Notre Dame's The Jacques Maritain Center)

SCHOLASTICISM. -- The study of Scholastic philosophy and the use of philosophical knowledge in explaining and defending the truths of faith are distinguishing features of the Middle Ages. So well did the philosophers and theologians of those times understand the true relations of faith and reason that their principles were solemnly adopted and proclaimed in our own times, viz., the Vatican Council. Rome was not built in a day; the philosophical systems of the schoolmen were not built in a day. There were years of investigation, doubt and dispute before their systems were formulated. We can trace the rise and progress and the perfection of Scholasticism. We begin the study of the subject by considering all that is brought to mind by the name of St. Anselm, who is usually styled the "Father of Scholasticism" in the Western Church.

What Scholasticism is not. -- Scholasticism has been misunderstood and misrepresented more than any other feature of life in the Middle Ages. To this very day there are many for whom the word is synonymous with subtlety and logic-chopping. That there have been abuses of Scholasticism, and that these abuses furnished pretexts for rejecting the system, is freely admitted. The existence and causes of those abuses will be considered in subsequent chapter. Nevertheless, here, as elsewhere, we should apply the principle that what is good should not be condemned or rejected because it has been abused.

He is a poor student of history and philosophy who thinks that subtlety is the quintessence, or even a necessary element or property, of Scholastic philosophy. Many of its terms are not readily understood by the ordinary student and they cannot lay claim to elegance in latinity. But, is it not true that medicine, jurisprudence, chemistry, botany, biology, and other sciences employ technical terms that are not understood by the uninitiated? We do not on that account reject those sciences. Why should we apply a different rule to Scholastic philosophy, especially since we are not prepared to offer a suitable substitute for the teaching and terminology of the Schoolmen? Correct the abuses; suppress idle discussions; banish confusing subtleties; but retain what is good in Scholasticism, for it is of great value. Scholasticism, in the first place, represents the highest form of intellectual activity and intellectual perfection; in the second place, for those who are Christians, it is of the utmost importance in explaining and defending the mysteries of faith.

SAINT ANSELM. -- The great champion of sound philosophy and of orthodoxy in those days was the pious and learned St. Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury. Born in the year 1034, at Aosta, in Piedmont, he came to France, studied for three years in Burgundy, and in 1059, when he was twenty-five years of age, entered the famous school of Bec, in Normandy, which was the most celebrated school of the eleventh century. Three years later he became prior, and in 1078 was made abbot of the monastery, succeeding his countryman, Lanfranc of Pavia, who had been made archbishop of Canterbury. Lanfranc died in 1089, and four years later Anselm was appointed to the see of Canterbury, where he died in 1109.

Anselm represents all that is best in the first period of Scholasticism. The extent of his learning has never been called in question; his judgment was enlightened and sound; and, at a time when even the learned might have been confused by the multiplication of strange theories occasioned by the efforts of scholars to cultivate all branches of learning, he was the champion of truth and orthodoxy. Loyal to the faith, he made due allowance for the claims of reason, and held that it was a "sacred duty to reduce the truths of faith to scientific form, the neglect of which would expose Christians to the opprobrium of heing inferior to the pagans." This is the underlying principle of his "Prosologium," which has been called Fides quaerens intellectum, or, the truths of faith scientifically explained and developed.

[...]

St. Anselm's Works. -- St. Anselm's best known works are his Monologium (Soliloquy) and the Prosologium (Continuation of Meditations). In these works he carefully distinguished faith from reason, and became a living and influential opponent of the rationalistic tendencies which had been excited by the writings of Scotus Erigena. He did more. In the two works just mentioned, and in his treatises on the Trinity, the Incarnation, the Procession of the Holy Ghost, on the Sin of Satan, on Original Sin, and De Conceptu Virginali, he laid the foundations of scientific theology.

"Hitherto," writes Mother Drane, "ecclesiastical writers had, for the most part, been content to gather up and reproduce the traditionary wisdom of the Fathers; but now, when those traditions had become firmly established, a scientific superstructure was to be raised on that broad foundation, and the theology of the Church was to be built up into a compact and well-ordered system. This was the work of the scholostic theologians, of whom St. Anselm may be considered the first." (Drane, Christian Schools and Scholars, [London, 1881], p. 313.)

To appreciate fully the services that he rendered, it must be borne in mind that he was a pioneer in the field in which he labored. Philosophy had been cultivated in Greece and Rome. The Christian Apologists had used reason, had used it well, in defence of their faith. The Fathers of the Church were not strangers to the learning and literature of their times; they were fearless giants, ready at all times to compete with the most powerful adversaries of Christianity. But the defence and explanation of Christian truths had not attained the perfection of a compact and well-ordered system. Many timid souls feared to use what was good in the works of the pagan philosophers. The schoolmaster, however, was abroad in the land: scholars would be misled if their studies were not properly directed; there was need of a saint and scholar who could direct philosophical studies with the assurance that the use of reason would not be detrimental to the Christian faith. This St. Anselm did by his character and career, as well as by his writings, which inaugurated, in the Western Church, the systematic explanation and defence of Christian doctrine. He was a pioneer in determining the true relations between faith and reason, showing that one could be at the same time a great philosopher and a good Christian. Later we shall see how St. Thomas perfected the system which St. Anselm built upon the works of St. Augustine, Boethius and the early Christian Apologists. (See Leo XIII, Encycl. Aeterni Patris in "Great Encyclicals of Leo XIII," pp. 36-48.)

The work begun by St. Anselm was continued by Peter Lombard, Albertus Magnus, Alexander of Hales, St. Bonaventure and St. Thomas of Aquin, to whom the world is indebted for those celebrated Summae (See Catholic Encyclopedia, s.v. Summae.) or Manuals of Theology, which served as the models of all subsequent theological treatises.

To St. Anselm is due the honor of inaugurating this important scientific movement, and for this reason he has been called the "Father of the Scholastics."

In Festo S. Anselmi, OSB (Apr. 21), Acta

In Festo S. Anselmi, OSB (Apr. 21), Acta

From Matins of the Feast of St. Anselm, Confessor, Bishop and Doctor (2nd Nocturn)

Ansélmus, Augústæ Prætóriæ in fínibus Itáliæ, Gundúlpho et Ermembérga nobílibus et cathólicis paréntibus natus, a téneris annis assíduo litterárum stúdio atque perfectióris vitæ desidério, non obscúrum futúræ sanctitátis et doctrínæ spécimen dedit. Et licet juveníli ardóre aliquándo ad sæculi illécebras traherétur, brevi tamen in prístinam viam revocátus, pátria et bonis ómnibus derelíctis, ad monastérium Beccénse órdinis sancti Benedícti se cóntulit ; ubi, emíssa regulári professióne, sub Herluíno abbáte observantíssimo et Lanfránco viro doctíssimo, tanto ánimi fervóre et jugi stúdio in lítteris et virtútibus assequéndis profécit, ut mirum in modum tamquam sanctitátis et doctrínæ exémplar ab ómnibus haberétur.

Anselm was born of noble and Catholic parents, named Gundulph and Hermenberga, at Aosta, in Piedmont. From his tenderest years his diligence in study, and his aspirations to a more perfect state of life, gave no indistinct foreshadowing of the holiness and learning to which he afterwards attained. The heat of youth drew him for a while into the snares of the world, but he soon returned to his first courses, and, forsaking his own country and his goods, betook himself to the monastery of Bec, under the rule of St. Benedict. There he made his profession as a monk, and under the rigid discipline of Herluin, the Abbot, and the learned instruction of the profound Lanfranc, with great zeal of spirit and eager obedience to the Rule, he made such progress in learning and godliness, that he shone before all others as an ensample of holiness of life, and power of doctrine.

Abstinéntiæ et continéntiæ tantæ fuit, ut assiduitáte jejúnii omnis pene cibórum sensus in eo viderétur exstínctus. Diúrno enim témpore in exercítiis monásticis docéndo, et respondéndo váriis de religióne quæsítis eménso ; quod réliquum erat noctis, somno subtrahébat, ut divínis meditatiónibus, quas perénni lacrimárum imbre fovébat, mentem recreáret. Eléctus in priórem monastérii ínvidos fratres ita caritáte, humilitáte et prudéntia lenívit, ut quos æmulos accéperat, sibi et Deo amícos, máximo cum reguláris observántiæ emoluménto, rédderet. Mórtuo abbáte, et in ejus locum, licet invítus, sufféctus, tanta doctrínæ et sanctitátis fama ubíque refúlsit, ut non modo régibus et epíscopis veneratióni esset, sed sancto Gregório séptimo étiam accéptus, qui tunc magnis persecutiónibus agitátus, lítteras amóris plenas ad eum dedit, quibus se et Ecclésiam cathólicam ejus oratiónibus commendábat.

Mortification and purity were his marked characteristics, and by constant fasting all taste for food seemed to have died in him. He spent the day in the monastic work, in teaching, and in answering hard questions upon religion, and he took away from sleep during what remained to him of the night, that he might refresh his soul by thoughts of God, wherein he was alway comforted by an unceasing flow of tears. When he was chosen Prior of the monastery, he so won over, by his charity, loweliness, and wisdom, some brethren who looked ill upon him, that from enviers, as he had found them, he turned them into lovers of God and of himself likewise, with exceeding gain to the strictness of observance in that Abbey. After the death of the Abbot, Anselm, though against his own will, was chosen to succeed him. In this high place the light of his learning and holiness so shone all round about, that he was reverenced not only by Kings and Bishops, but was taken up by the holy Pope Gregory VII, who, amid the great persecutions which were then trying him, wrote with words of great love to Anselm to recommend himself and the Catholic Church to his prayers.

Defúnctus Lanfránco archiepíscopo Cantuariénsi, ejus olim præceptóre, Ansélmus, urgénte Willélmo Angliæ rege et instántibus clero ac pópulo, ipso tamen repugnánte, ad ejúsdem ecclésiæ régimen vocátus, statim (ut corrúptos pópuli mores reformáret) verbo et exémplo prius, dein scriptis, et concíliis celebrátis, prístinam pietátem et ecclesiásticam disciplínam redúxit. Sed cum mox idem Willélmus rex vi et minis Ecclésiæ jura usurpáre tentásset, ipse sacerdotáli constántia réstitit ; bonorúmque direptiónem et exsílium passus, Romam ad Urbánum secúndum se cóntulit : a quo honorífice excéptus et summis láudibus ornátus est, cum in Barénsi concílio Spíritum Sanctum étiam a Fílio procedéntem, contra Græcórum errórem, innúmeris Scripturárum et sanctórum Patrum testimóniis propugnásset. E vivis Willélmo subláto, ab Henríco rege, ejus fratre, in Angliam revocátus, obdormívit in Dómino ; famam non solum miraculórum et sanctitátis (præcípue ob insígnem devotiónem erga Dómini nostri passiónem et beátam Vírginem ejus Matrem) assecútus, sed étiam doctrínæ, quam ad defensiónem Christiánæ religiónis, animárum proféctum, et ómnium theologórum, qui sacras lítteras scholástica méthodo tradidérunt, normam cælitus hausísse ex ejus libris ómnibus appáret.

After the death of Lanfranc, Archbishop of Canterbury, Anselm, whose teacher Lanfranc had formerly been, was driven by William II, King of England, supported by the entreaties of the clergy and people, though sorely against his own wishes to take upon him the government of that Church. Raised to that See he straightway set himself to reform the corrupt manners of the people, and, first by his word and example, and then by his writings and the Councils which he held, succeeded in restoring the ancient godliness and discipline of the Church. But when the aforesaid King William tried by force and threats to seize on the rights of the Church, Anselm withstood him as beseemed a Priest, and after that he had suffering the plundering of all his goods, and been sent into banishment, he betook himself to Rome to Urban II. There he was received with great worship, and won high praise for that in the Council of Bari, he maintained by countless proofs from Scripture and the holy Fathers, against the error of the Greeks, that the Holy Ghost proceedeth from the Son also. When William lived no more, his brother Henry I, King of England, called back Anselm thither, and there he fell asleep in the Lord. His is a name illustrious not for miracles only, nor for holiness (and indeed he had a wondrous love for his Lord who had suffered for him, and for the blessed Maiden Mother of the same our Lord), but also for the deep learning which he used for the defence of the Christian Religion and the good of souls. That wonderful knowledge of theology which he had, and which is shewn in all the books which he wrote, seemeth to have been given him from heaven for the teaching of all writers on the same subject, who have used what is called the Scholastic method.

What the Arabic Tongue was Made to Profess...

What the Arabic Tongue was Made to Profess...