'via Blog this'
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
I was wrong: Aquinas does have something to say on ecumenical 'dialogue', in a way...
From ST II-II.10.7c:
I answer that, in disputing about the faith, two things must be observed: one on the part of the disputant; the other on the part of his hearers. On the part of the disputant, we must consider his intention. For if he were to dispute as though he had doubts about the faith, and did not hold the truth of faith for certain, and as though he intended to probe it with arguments, without doubt he would sin, as being doubtful of the faith and an unbeliever. On the other hand, it is praiseworthy to dispute about the faith in order to confute errors, or for practice.
On the part of the hearers we must consider whether those who hear the disputation are instructed and firm in the faith, or simple and wavering. As to those who are well instructed and firm in the faith, there can be no danger in disputing about the faith in their presence. But as to simple-minded people, we must make a distinction; because either they are provoked and molested by unbelievers, for instance, Jews or heretics, or pagans who strive to corrupt the faith in them, or else they are not subject to provocation in this matter, as in those countries where there are not unbelievers. On the first case it is necessary to dispute in public about the faith, provided there be those who are equal and adapted to the task of confuting errors; since in this way simple people are strengthened in the faith, and unbelievers are deprived of the opportunity to deceive, while if those who ought to withstand the perverters of the truth of faith were silent, this would tend to strengthen error. Hence Gregory says (Pastor. ii, 4): "Even as a thoughtless speech gives rise to error, so does an indiscreet silence leave those in error who might have been instructed." On the other hand, in the second case it is dangerous to dispute in public about the faith, in the presence of simple people, whose faith for this very reason is more firm, that they have never heard anything differing from what they believe. Hence it is not expedient for them to hear what unbelievers have to say against the faith.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
"When Paul says, 'According to my Gospel', he means the Gospel written by Luke."
From Matins of the Feast of St. Luke the Evangelist
Source: www.breviary.net
| Lesson iv | |
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| Ex libro sancti Hierónymi Presbyteri de Scriptóribus ecclesiásticis | The Lesson is taken from the Book on Ecclesiastical Writers, written by St. Jerome the Priest |
| Cap. 7 | |
Lucas, médicus Antiochénsis, ut ejus scriptaíndicant, Græci sermónis non ignárus, fuit sectátor Apóstoli Pauli, et omnis peregrinatiónis ejus comes. Scripsit Evangélium, de quo idem Paulus : Mísimus, inquit, cum illo fratrem, cujus laus est in Evangélio per omnes ecclésias. Et ad Colossénses : Salútat vos Lucas, médicus caríssimus. Et ad Timótheum : Lucas est mecum solus. Aliud quoque édidit volúmen egrégium, quod título, Acta Apostolórum, prænotátur ; cujus história usque ad biénnium Romæ commorántis Pauli pérvenit, id est, usque ad quartum Nerónis annum. Ex quo intellígimus, in eádem urbe librum esse compósitum.
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Luke was a physician of Antioch, who, as appeareth from his writings, knew the Greek language. He was a follower of the Apostle Paul, and his fellow-traveller in all his wanderings. He wrote a Gospel, whereof the same Paul saith : We have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the Gospel throughout all the Churches. Of him, he writeth unto the Colossians, Luke, the beloved physician greeteth you. And again, unto Timothy, Only Luke is with me. He also published another excellent book intituled The Acts of the Apostles, wherein the history is brought down to Paul's two-years sojourn at Rome, that is to say, until the fourth year of Nero, from which we gather that it was at Rome that the said book was composed.
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V. Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R. Deo grátias. |
V. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R. Thanks be to God. |
 St. Luke painting the first icon | |
R. Vidi conjúnctos viros, habéntes spléndidas vestes, et Angelus Dómini locútus est ad me, dicens: * Isti sunt viri sancti facti amíci Dei.
V. Vidi Angelum Dei fortem, volántem per médium cælum, voce magna clamántem et dicéntem. R. Isti sunt viri sancti facti amíci Dei. |
R. I saw men standing together, clothed in raiment white and glistering, and the Angel of the Lord spake unto me saying, * These men are holy, for they are the friends of God.
V. And I saw a strong Angel of God flying in the midst of heaven, and the same did proclaim with a loud voice, saying: R. These men are holy, for they are the friends of God. |
V. Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.
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V. Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.
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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 | |
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Igitur períodos Pauli et Theclæ, et totam baptizáti Leónis fábulam, inter apócryphas scriptúras computámus. Quale enim est, ut indivíduus comes Apóstoli, inter céteras ejus res, hoc solum ignoráverit? Sed et Tertulliánus, vicínus eórum témporum, refert presbyterum quemdam in Asia, amatórem Apóstoli Pauli, convíctum a Joánne quod auctor esset libri, et conféssum se hoc Pauli amóre fecísse, et ob id loco excidísse. Quidam suspicántur, quotiescúmque in epístolis suis Paulus dicit, Juxta Evangélium meum, de Lucæ significáre volúmine.
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The silence of Luke is one of the reasons why we reckon among Apocryphal books The Acts of Paul and Thecla, and the whole story about the baptism of Leo. For why should the fellow-traveller of the Apostle, who knew other things, be ignorant only of this? At the same time there is against these documents the statement of Tertullian, almost a contemporary writer, that the Apostle John convicted a certain Priest in Asia, who was a great admirer of the Apostle Paul, of having written them, and that the said Priest owned that he had been induced to compose them through his admiration for Paul, and that he was deposed in consequence. There are some persons who suspect that when Paul in his Epistles useth the phrase, According to my Gospel, he meaneth the Gospel written by Luke.
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V. Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R. Deo grátias. |
V. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R. Thanks be to God. |
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R. Beáti estis, cum maledíxerint vobis hómines, et persecúti vos fúerint, et díxerint omne malum advérsum vos, mentiéntes, propter me: * Gaudéte et exsultáte, quóniam merces vestra copiósa est in cælis.
V. Cum vos óderint hómines, et cum separáverint vos, et exprobráverint, et ejécerint nomen vestrum tamquam malum propter Fílium hóminis. R. Gaudéte et exsultáte, quóniam merces vestra copiósa est in cælis. |
R. Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake: * Rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven.
V. When men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil for the Son of Man's sake. R. Rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven. |
V. Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.
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V. Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.
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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 | |
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Lucam autem, non solum ab Apóstolo Paulo dídicísse Evangélium, qui cum Dómino in carne non fúerat, sed et a céteris Apóstolis ; quod ipse quoque in princípio sui volúminis declárat, dicens : Sicut tradidérunt nobis, qui a princípio ipsi vidérunt et minístri fuérunt sermónis. Igitur Evangélium, sicut audíerat, scripsit ; Acta vero Apostolórum, sicut víderat ipse, compósuit. Vixit octogínta et quátuor annos, uxórem non habens. Sepúltus est Constantinópoli, ad quam urbem, vigésimo Constantíni anno, ossa ejus cum relíquiis Andréæ Apóstoli transláta sunt de Achája.
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Howbeit, Luke learned his Gospel not from the Apostle Paul only, who had not companied with the Lord in the flesh, but also from other Apostles, as himself declareth at the beginning of his work, where he saith : They delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eye-witnesses and ministers of the word. According to what he had heard, therefore, did he write his Gospel. As to the Acts of the Apostles, he composed them from his own personal knowledge. He was never married. He lived eighty-four years. He is buried at Constantinople, whither his bones were brought from Achaia in the twentieth year of Constantine, together with the relicks of the Apostle Andrew.
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V. Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R. Deo grátias. |
V. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R. Thanks be to God. |
 The Basilica of Santa Giustina in Padua, Italy Final resting place of the body of St. Luke | |
R. Isti sunt triumphatóres et amíci Dei, qui contemnéntes jussa príncipum, meruérunt præmia ætérna: * Modo coronántur, et accípiunt palmam.
V. Isti sunt qui venérunt ex magna tribulatióne, et lavérunt stolas suas in sánguine Agni. R. Modo coronántur, et accípiunt palmam. V. Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto. R. Modo coronántur, et accípiunt palmam. |
R. These are they which do celebrate an eternal triumph and are become the friends of God, who overcame the princes of this world in the service of him who rewardeth everlastingly :* And now they have crowns on their heads and palms in their hands.
V. These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb. R. And now they have crowns on their heads and palms in their hands. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. R. And now they have crowns on their heads and palms in their hands. |
Sunday, October 16, 2011
St. Thomas on the Death Sentence for Heretics
From Summa theologiae II-II.11.3:
Article 3. Whether heretics ought to be tolerated?
Objection 1. It seems that heretics ought to be tolerated. For the Apostle says (2 Timothy 2:24-25): "The servant of the Lord must not wrangle . . . with modesty admonishing them that resist the truth, if peradventure God may give them repentance to know the truth, and they may recover themselves from the snares of the devil." Now if heretics are not tolerated but put to death, they lose the opportunity of repentance. Therefore it seems contrary to the Apostle's command.
Objection 2. Further, whatever is necessary in the Church should be tolerated. Now heresies are necessary in the Church, since the Apostle says (1 Corinthians 11:19): "There must be . . . heresies, that they . . . who are reproved, may be manifest among you." Therefore it seems that heretics should be tolerated.
Objection 3. Further, the Master commanded his servants (Matthew 13:30) to suffer the cockle "to grow until the harvest," i.e. the end of the world, as a gloss explains it. Now holy men explain that the cockle denotes heretics. Therefore heretics should be tolerated.
On the contrary, The Apostle says (Titus 3:10-11): "A man that is a heretic, after the first and second admonition, avoid: knowing that he, that is such an one, is subverted."
I answer that, With regard to heretics two points must be observed: one, on their own side; the other, on the side of the Church. On their own side there is the sin, whereby they deserve not only to be separated from the Church by excommunication, but also to be severed from the world by death. For it is a much graver matter to corrupt the faith which quickens the soul, than to forge money, which supports temporal life. Wherefore if forgers of money and other evil-doers are forthwith condemned to death by the secular authority, much more reason is there for heretics, as soon as they are convicted of heresy, to be not only excommunicated but even put to death.
On the part of the Church, however, there is mercy which looks to the conversion of the wanderer, wherefore she condemns not at once, but "after the first and second admonition," as the Apostle directs: after that, if he is yet stubborn, the Church no longer hoping for his conversion, looks to the salvation of others, by excommunicating him and separating him from the Church, and furthermore delivers him to the secular tribunal to be exterminated thereby from the world by death. For Jerome commenting on Galatians 5:9, "A little leaven," says: "Cut off the decayed flesh, expel the mangy sheep from the fold, lest the whole house, the whole paste, the whole body, the whole flock, burn, perish, rot, die. Arius was but one spark in Alexandria, but as that spark was not at once put out, the whole earth was laid waste by its flame."
Reply to Objection 1. This very modesty demands that the heretic should be admonished a first and second time: and if he be unwilling to retract, he must be reckoned as already "subverted," as we may gather from the words of the Apostle quoted above.
Reply to Objection 2. The profit that ensues from heresy is beside the intention of heretics, for it consists in the constancy of the faithful being put to the test, and "makes us shake off our sluggishness, and search the Scriptures more carefully," as Augustine states (De Gen. cont. Manich. i, 1). What they really intend is the corruption of the faith, which is to inflict very great harm indeed. Consequently we should consider what they directly intend, and expel them, rather than what is beside their intention, and so, tolerate them.
Reply to Objection 3. According to Decret. (xxiv, qu. iii, can. Notandum), "to be excommunicated is not to be uprooted." A man is excommunicated, as the Apostle says (1 Corinthians 5:5) that his "spirit may be saved in the day of Our Lord." Yet if heretics be altogether uprooted by death, this is not contrary to Our Lord's command, which is to be understood as referring to the case when the cockle cannot be plucked up without plucking up the wheat, as we explained above (10, 8, ad 1), when treating of unbelievers in general.
Friday, October 07, 2011
Thursday, October 06, 2011
Are the German Cardinals Tacitly Revealing Their Inner Demons?
Most of them fail to greet the pope: a tacit expression of their hatred for what he stands for?
Monday, October 03, 2011
Meet the Doctors: St. Therese of Lisieux, Doctrix Mystica
From Matins of the Feast of St. Therese of Lisieux, Virgin, Doctrix
Online Source: www.breviary.net
| Lesson iv | |
 The birthplace and childhood home of St. Therese at Alençon | |
Terésia a Jesu Infánte, Alensónii in Gállia, honéstis paréntibus, singulári et assídua erga Deum pietáte conspícuis, orta est. Inde a prima ætáte, divíno Spíritu prævénta, religiósam vitam ágere cupiébat. Sério autem promísit, se nihil Deo denegatúram, quod ipse ab ea pétere viderétur : quam promissiónem fidéliter usque ad mortem serváre satégit. Quinto ætátis anno, matre amíssa, Dei providéntiæ se totam commísit sub vigilánti custódia amantíssimi patris, sororúmque natu majórum : quibus magístris, Terésia ad curréndam perfectiónis viam ut gigas exsultávit. Novénnis virgínibus ex Ordine sancti Benedícti Lexóviis excolénda tráditur, ibíque in rerum divinárum cognitióne excéllere visa est. Décimo ætátis anno, arcánus et gravis morbus eam diu cruciávit, a quo prout ipsa enárrat, ope Beatíssimæ Vírginis, quæ eídem subrídens appáruit, et quam, sub título Dóminæ nostræ a Victória, per novendiália invocáre stúduit, divínitus fuit liberáta. Tunc, angélico fervóre repléta, ad sacrum convívium, in quo Christus súmitur, se diligentíssime præparáre curávit.
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Theresa of the Child Jesus was born in Alençon in France. Her parents were estimable people, well known for their piety and their love of God. From her earliest childhood, endowed by a special grace of the Holy Ghost, she yearned to enter the religious life. She promised God with the utmost sincerity that she would deny him nothing he might ask of her. She kept this promise faithfully to the end of her life, although she had to suffer a great deal to keep it. Her mother died when Theresa was but five years old. From then on the child committed herself to the providence of God, under the vigilant care of a most tender father and her elder sisters. Under their teaching Theresa raced as gayly strong as a young giant along the way of perfection. At the age of nine she was sent to school at Lisieux to the Benedictine nuns, where she made remarkable progress in her knowledge of divine things. In her tenth year she was ill for a long time of a serious and mysterious malady. From this, as she herself relateth, she was delivered only by the power of God himself, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who appeared to her with a smiling countenance, and to whom under the title of our Lady of Victories, she was constantly making novenas. Filled with angelic fervour she prepared herself at this time with the utmost care to receive Christ in the sacred banquet of her first Holy Communion.
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V. Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R. Deo grátias. |
V. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R. Thanks be to God. |
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R. Propter veritátem, et mansuetúdinem, et justítiam : * Et dedúcet te mirabíliter déxtera tua.
V. Spécie tua et pulchritúdine tua inténde, próspere procéde, et regna. R. Et dedúcet te mirabíliter déxtera tua. |
R. Ride on because of the Word of truth, of meekness, and righteousness : * And thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.
V. In thy comeliness, yea, in thy beauty, go forth, ride prosperously, and reign. R. And thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things. |
V. Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.
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V. Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.
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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 | |
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Ut prímitus eucharístico pane fuit refécta, insatiábilem cæléstis hujus cibi famem hauríre visa est : unde velut inspiráta, Jesum rogábat, ut omnem mundánam consolatiónem in amaritúdinem sibi vérteret. Inde tenérrimo in Christum Dóminum et in Ecclésiam amóre exæstuans, nihil antíquius hábuit, quam Carmelitárum Excalceatórum Ordinem íngredi, ut sui abnegatióne, suísque sacrifíciis, sacerdótibus, missionáriis, totíque Ecclésiæ opem afférret, et innúmeras ánimas Jesu Christo lucrifáceret : quod jam morti próxima, apud Deum se factúram pollícita est. Propter ætátis deféctum, multas ad religiósam vitam amplecténdam nacta est difficultátes, quibus tamen incredíbili ánimi fortitúdine superátis, quíndecim annos nata, Lexoviénsem Carmélum felíciter ingréssa est. Ibi mirábiles Deus in Terésiæ corde ascensiónes dispósuit, quæ, Maríæ Vírginis vitam abscónditam imitáta, quasi hortus irríguus, flores ómnium virtútum germinávit, præcípue vero exímiæ in Deum et in próximum caritátis.
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After being refreshed for the first time with the Eucharistic Bread Theresa seemed to develop an insatiable hunger for the celestial food. Then, as if by inspiration, she asked Jesus to turn all her earthly consolation into bitterness. After that she burned with a most tender love for Christ the Lord and for his Church. More than anything in the world she wanted to enter the Order of the Discalced Carmelites, where by self-sacrifice she might assist priests, missionaries and the whole Church, and so gain innumerable souls for Christ Jesus. All this, she promised God would do for her, even when apparently she lay at the point of death. Her extreme youth was an obstacle which hindered her entrance upon the religious life. Even this she overcame by her incredible courage of soul. She entered Carmel at Lisieux happily at the age of fifteen. There God fashioned the heart of Theresa in a marvellous way, teaching her to ascend to him step by step. Imitating the hidden life of the Virgin Mary like a well-watered garden she bore flowers of every virtue, especially an abiding love of God and neighbour.
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V. Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R. Deo grátias. |
V. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R. Thanks be to God. |
 The Carmel at Lisieux | |
R. Dilexísti justítiam, et odísti iniquitátem : *Proptérea unxit te Deus, Deus tuus, óleo lætítiæ.
V. Propter veritátem, et mansuetúdinem, et justítiam. R. Proptérea unxit te Deus, Deus tuus, óleo lætítiæ. |
R. Thou hast loved righteousness and hated iniquity : * Wherefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness.
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. |
V. Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.
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V. Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.
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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 | |
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Quo magis Altíssimo placéret, cum in Sacris Scriptúris mónitum illud legísset : Si quis est párvulus véniat ad me ; párvula in spíritu esse vóluit, et inde filiáli fidúcia Deo, tamquam Patri amantíssimo, se perpétuo trádidit. Hanc, spirituális infántiæ viam, secúndum Evangélii doctrínam, álios dócuit, speciátim novítias, quas ex obediéntia ad religiosárum virtútum stúdium informándas suscépit, atque ita apostólico zelo repléta, mundo, supérbia infláto et vanitátes diligénti, evangélicæ simplicitátis iter patefécit. Sponsus autem Jesus eam patiéndi desidério, tam in ánima, quam in córpore, pénitus inflammávit. Insuper Dei caritátem undequáque negléctam animadvértens, summo dolóre affécta, duóbus ante óbitum annis, Dei miseréntis amóri se víctimam óbtulit. Tunc, ut ipsa refert, cæléstis ignis flamma vulneráta est : unde caritáte consúmpta, in écstasim rapta, ferventíssime ingéminans : Deus meus, te díligo ; vigínti quátuor annos nata, die trigésima Septémbris, anno millésimo octingentésimo nonagésimo séptimo, ad Sponsum evolávit. Quod autem móriens promíserat, se perénnem rosárum plúviam in terram demissúram, hoc in cælum recépta, innúmeris miráculis reápse adimplévit et in dies adímplet. Quam Pius undécimus, Póntifex máximus, Beátis Virgínibus adscríptam, et biénnio post, jubilæo máximo recurrénte, inter Sanctas relátam, peculiárem ómnium Missiónum Patrónam constítuit ac declarávit.
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That she might please the most high God to greater degree, when she read in Sacred Scriptures the warning, Whoever is a little one, let him come unto me, she determined to be a little one in spirit. As such she consecrated herself forever with childlike confidence to God, her most loving Father. The way of spiritual childhood, following the teachings of the Gospel, she taught to others, especially to the novices who training in the pursuit of religious virtues she undertook in obedience to her superiors. Overflowing with apostolic zeal she pointed out to a world filled with pride and a love of vanities, the simple way of the Gospels. Meanwhile Jesus, her spouse, inflamed her with a desire to suffer both in soul and in body. Moreover, perceiving that the love of God was everywhere rejected, she became filled with grief and two years before her death, offered herself as a victim of love to the merciful God. She writeth that she was then wounded by a flame of fire from heaven, whereupon she became consumed by love, rapt as it were in ecstasy. Repeating over and over again the fervent words, My God, I love thee, she passed on to her Spouse on the 30th day of September, in the year 1897, at the age of twenty-four years. As she was dying she promised that she would let fall upon earth a ceaseless shower of roses. This promise she hath indeed fulfilled in heaven, and her shower of roses hath continued to this very day. The Sovereign Pontiff Pius XI added her name to the Virgins declared Blessed and two years later, at the time of the great Jubilee, listed her among the Saints. He also appointed and declared her Patroness of all the missions.
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V. Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R. Deo grátias. |
V. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R. Thanks be to God. |
Saturday, October 01, 2011
Friday, September 30, 2011
"If the teacher have gone astray, by what other teacher is he to be corrected? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men." - St. Jerome
From Matins of the Feast of St. Jerome, Priest, Confessor, DoctorOnline Source: www.breviary.net
| Léctio sancti Evangélii secúndum Matthæum | The Lesson is taken from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew |
| Chap. 5, 13-19 | |
In illo témpore : Dixit Jesus discípulis suis: Vos estis sal terræ. Quod si sal evanúerit, in quo saliétur? Et réliqua.
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At that time : Jesus said unto his disciples: Ye are the salt of the earth : But if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? And so on, and that which followeth.
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| Homilía sancti Hierónymi Presbyteri | A Homily by St. Jerome the Priest |
| Liber 1 Comment. in cap. 5 Matth. | |
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Sal appellántur Apóstoli et Doctóres ; quia per illos univérsum hóminum condítur genus. Quod si sal evanúerit, in quo saliétur? Si doctor erráverit, a quo álio doctóre emendábitur? Ad níhilum valet ultra, nisi ut mittátur foras, et conculcétur ab homínibus. Exémplum de agricultúra sumptum est. Sal étenim, sicut in cibórum condiméntum et ad siccándas carnes necessárium est, ita álium usum non habet. Certe légimus in Scriptúris urbes quasdam, ira victórum, sale seminátas, ut nullum in ipsis germen orirétur.
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Apostles and teachers are called salt, for it is by them that the whole mass of mankind is seasoned. But if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? If the teacher have gone astray, by what other teacher is he to be corrected? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. This is a figure taken from farming. Salt is used to savour food withal, and to preserve meat, but it hath no other use. In sooth, we read in the Scriptures of some cities which were sown with salt in the fury of their conquerors, that no bud of life might ever spring there again.
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V. Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R. Deo grátias. |
V. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R. Thanks be to God. |
R. Iste est, qui ante Deum magnas virtútes operátus est, et de omni corde suo laudávit Dóminum : * Ipse intercédat pro peccátis ómnium populórum.V. Ecce homo sine queréla, verus Dei cultor,ábstinens se ab omni ópere malo, et pérmanens in innocéntia sua.
R. Ipse intercédat pro peccátis ómnium populórum. |
R. This is he who wrought mighty deeds and valiant in the sight of God, and all the earth is filled with his doctrine : * May his intercession avail for the sins of all the people.V. Behold a man without blame, a worshipper of God in truth, keeping himself clean from every evil work, and abiding still in his innocency.
R. May his intercession avail for the sins of all the people. |
V. Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.
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V. Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.
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Benedíctio 8: Cujus festum cólimus, ipse intercédat pro nobis ad Dóminum.
R. Amen. |
Benediction 8: May he whose feast day we are keeping, be our Advocate with God.
R. Amen. |
| Lesson viii | |
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Cáveant ergo doctóres et epíscopi, et vídeant Poténtes poténter torménta sustinére ; nihílque esse remédii, sed majórum ruínam ad tártarum dúcere. Vos estis lux mundi. Non potest cívitas abscóndi supra montem pósita ; neque accéndunt lucérnam, et ponunt eam sub módio, sed super candelábrum, ut lúceat ómnibus qui in domo sunt. Docet fidúciam prædicándi, ne Apóstoli abscondántur ob metum, et sint símiles lucérnæ sub módio ; sed tota libertáte se prodant, ut, quod audiérunt in cubículis, prædicent in tectis.
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Let teachers and Bishops, then, look well to it, seeing that mighty men shall be mightily tormented. And there is no help for them, but they fall into hell with a great crash. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that it may give light unto all that are in the house. Here he teacheth boldness in preaching, lest the Apostles should shrink away from fear, and be like unto candles under a bushel ; but contrariwise should come forward with all freedom, and should proclaim upon the house-tops that which had been spoken in the ear in closets.
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V. Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R. Deo grátias. |
V. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R. Thanks be to God. |
R. In médio Ecclésiæ apéruit os ejus, * Et implévit eum Dóminus spíritu sapiéntiæ et intelléctus.V. Jucunditátem et exsultatiónem thesaurizávit super eum.
R. Et implévit eum Dóminus spíritu sapiéntiæ et intelléctus.V. Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto. R. Et implévit eum Dóminus spíritu sapiéntiæ et intelléctus. |
R. In the midst of the congregation he opened his mouth : * And the Lord filled him with the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding.V. He shall find joy, and a crown of gladness.
R. And the Lord filled him with the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding.V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. R. And the Lord filled him with the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding.. |
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Meet the Doctors: St. Jerome
"He set himself to enter on earth upon the life of heaven, serving God in reading and writing without ceasing." -Acta of St. Jerome
Online Source: www.breviary.net
| Lesson iv | |
 The Baptism of St. Jerome | |
Hierónymus, Eusébii fílius, Stridóne in Dalmátia, Constántio imperatóre, natus, Romæ adoléscens est baptizátus, et in liberálibus disciplínis a Donáto et áliis viris doctíssimis erudítus. Tum discéndi stúdio Gálliam peragrávit ; ubi pios áliquot et in divínis lítteris erudítos viros cóluit, multósque sacros libros sua manu descrípsit. Mox se in Græciam cónferens. Philosophía et eloquéntia instrúctus, summórum theologórum consuetúdine flóruit. In primis vero Gregório Nazianzéno Constantinópoli óperam dedit ; quo doctóre se sacras lítteras dídicísse profitétur. Tum religiónis causa visit Christi Dómini incunábula, totámque lustrávit Palæstínam ; quam peregrinatiónem, adhíbitis Hebræórum eruditíssimis, ad sacræ Scriptúræ intelligéntiam sibi multum profuísse testátur.
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Jerome was the son of one Eusebius, and was born at Sdrigni in Dalmatia, in the reign of the Emperor Constantius. He was baptized at Rome when a young boy, and studied there, under the instruction of Donatus and other very learned personages. He travelled in Gaul for the sake of improving his mind, and there sought the friendship of divers godly men learned in the Scriptures, and made with his own hand many copies of the holy books. He afterwards betook himself to Greece, where he attained eminence as a philosopher and orator, in the following of the most famous theologians. At Constantinople, in especial, he sat at the feet of Gregory of Nazianzus, from whom he professeth himself to have learnt his theology. Then, for godliness' sake, he went to see the home of the Lord Christ, and so throughout all Palestine. He witnesseth that this pilgrimage, where he got the help of the most learned of the Jews for the understanding of the Holy Scriptures, did him much good.
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V. Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R. Deo grátias. |
V. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R. Thanks be to God. |
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R. Honéstum fecit illum Dóminus, et custodívit eum ab inimícis, et a seductóribus tutávit illum : * Et dedit illi claritátem ætérnam.V. Justum dedúxit Dóminus per vias rectas, et osténdit illi regnum Dei.
R. Et dedit illi claritátem ætérnam. |
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.
V. The Lord guided the righteous in right paths, and shewed him the kingdom of God. R. And gave him perpetual glory. |
V. Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.
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V. Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.
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Benedíctio 5: Christus perpétuæ det nobis gáudia vitæ.R. Amen.
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Benediction 5: May Christ bestow upon us the joys of life eternal.
R. Amen. |
| Lesson v | |
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Deínde secéssit in vastam Syriæ solitúdinem ; ubi quadriénnium in lectióne divinórum librórum cælestísque beatitúdinis contemplatióne consúmpsit, assídua se abstinéntia, vi lacrimárum et córporis afflictatióne discrúcians. Présbyter a Paulíno epíscopo Antiochíæ factus, Romam de controvérsiis quorúmdam episcopórum cum Paulíno et Epiphánio ad Dámasum Pontíficem proféctus, ejus ecclesiásticis epístolis scribéndis adjútor fuit. Verum, cum prístinæ solitúdinis desidério tenerétur, in Palæstínam revérsus, Béthlehem ad Christi Dómini præsépe, in monastério quod a Paula Romána exstrúctum erat, cæléstem quamdam vitæ ratiónem instítuit ; et, quamquam várie morbis doloribúsque tentarétur, tamen córporis incómmoda piis labóribus et perpétua lectióne ac scriptióne superábat.
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He withdrew himself into the wild deserts of Syria, where he passed four years in studying the Holy Scriptures and in considering the blessedness of heaven, afflicting his body by alway denying himself, by bitter tears, and by chastisement of the flesh. He was ordained Priest by Paulinus, Patriarch of Antioch. He went to Rome on account of the quarrelling of certain Bishops with Paulinus and Epiphanius, and there helped Pope Damasus in the writing of his letters upon Church affairs. But the longing for his old solitude came upon him, and he went back to Palestine, where, in the monastery at Bethlehem, built beside the cradle of the Lord Christ by the Lady Paula of Rome, he set himself to enter on earth upon the life of heaven, serving God in reading and writing without ceasing, regardless of the sufferings of a body tormented by divers diseases and pains.
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V. Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R. Deo grátias. |
V. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R. Thanks be to God. |
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R. Amávit eum Dóminus, et ornávit eum : stolam glóriæ índuit eum, * Et ad portas paradísi coronávit eum.V. Induit eum Dóminus lorícam fídei, et ornávit eum.
R. Et ad portas paradísi coronávit eum. |
R. The Lord loved him and adorned him; he clothed him with a robe of glory : * And crowned him at the gates of Paradise.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. |
 The Rooms of St. Jerome in the Caves of Bethlehem | |
V. Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.
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V. Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.
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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 | |
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Tamquam ad oráculum, ex ómnibus orbis terræ pártibus, ad ipsum divínæ Scriptúræ quæstiónes explicándæ referebántur. Illum Dámasus Póntifex, illum sanctus Augustínus de locis Scriptúræ difficíllimis sæpe consúluit, propter ejus singulárem doctrínam, et linguæ non solum Latínæ et Græcæ, sed Hebráicæ étiam et Chaldáicæ, intelligéntiam ; et quod omnes pene scriptóres, ejúsdem Augustíni testimónio, légerat. Hæréticos acérrimis scriptis exagitávit ; piórum et catholicórum patrocínium semper suscépit. Vetus Testaméntum ex Hebræo convértit ; novum, jussu Dámasi, Græcæ fídei réddidit, magna étiam ex parte explicávit. Multa prætérea Latíne réddidit scripta doctórum virórum, et ipse áliis próprii ingénii monuméntis christiánam disciplínam illustrávit. Qui, ad summam senectútem pervéniens, sanctitáte et doctrína illústris, Honório imperatóre, migrávit in cælum. Cujus corpus, ad Béthlehem sepúltum, póstea Romam in basílicam sanctæ Maríæ ad Præsépe translátum est.
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Hard questions upon the interpretation of the Holy Scripture were sent to him from all parts of the earth, as to an oracle. He was oftentimes consulted by Pope Damasus and by the holy Augustine upon the meaning of the most obscure passages of the Scripture, because of his extraordinary learning, and that he knew not the Latin and Greek tongues only, but also the Hebrew and Chaldee, and, as the same Augustine testifieth, had read nearly all writers. He attacked heretics with keen publications, and ever undertook the defence of the godly and Catholic. He translated the Old Testament from Hebrew into Latin, and, at the command of Damasus, reformed, according to the original Greek, the existing version of the New. Upon great part of the Scriptures he wrote commentaries. He translated likewise into Latin the works of many learned men, and himself contributed to the Christian life many monuments of his own wit. He lived to an extreme old age, and passed away to heaven, famous for learning and holiness, in the reign of the Emperor Honorius. His body was buried at Bethlehem, but hath since been brought to Rome, where it lieth in the Church of St. Mary-at-the-Manger.
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V. Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R. Deo grátias. |
V. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R. Thanks be to God. |
 St. Jerome passed away to heaven upon the 30th day of September in the year of our Lord 420 | |
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.
V. Iste est, qui contémpsit vitam mundi, et pervénit ad cæléstia regna. R. Quia te vidi justum coram me ex ómnibus géntibus. V. Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto. R. Quia te vidi justum coram me ex ómnibus géntibus. |
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.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.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. |
 St. Mary Major, Rome | |
Friday, September 23, 2011
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
Sunday, September 18, 2011
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