Author: Christopher Hand

The King of kings, Lord of History, Creator of heaven and earth was born on this day. 

He deserved the best the earth could give Him at birth. 

He received nothing.

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The royalty of the earth should have bowed before Him.

They attempted to prevent His coming.

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He deserved all the comforts of the earth He had created.

He received the comforts given to the lowest animals. 

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He should have been welcomed by all.

There was no room for Him at the inn.

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All the faithful on earth should have rejoiced in His coming.

He received praise from the simplest shepherds. 

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Many of us live in warm homes, even on the simplest nights. 

He was born in piercing cold. 

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Reflections

Is there room for Him in the inn of our hearts?

Do our hearts reflect the simplicity of the shepherds He called?

Do we value the things that He valued in His coming? Simplicity, poverty, humility.

Do we value His lifelong sacrifice? 

Glorify Him as He deserves to be glorified, infinitely more than we are capable of giving Him.

“And now glorify thou me, O Father, with thyself, with the glory which I had, before the world was, with Thee”

John, 17.5

Between the years 300 and 306 AD, the Council of Illiberi wrote:

Likewise let the faithful woman, who has left an adulterous husband and attracts another faithful one, be forbidden to marry; if she should marry, let her not receive communion unless he whom she has left has previously departed this world; unless by chance the exigency of illness should compel the giving.

One of the conditions for many indulgences is prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father. Few people know what this actually means. Often, this is misunderstood to be praying for the intentions of the current Pope when, in reality, this means something much more lasting and beautiful. The Church has defined the Pope’s intention as including four basic and universally Catholic intentions.

The Raccolta, which is a collection of indulgences, explains that this requirement for the gaining of indulgence states:

23. The Pope’s intention always includes the following objects: 

i. The progress of the Faith and triumph of the Church. 

ii. Peace and union among Christian Princes and Rulers. 

iii. The conversion of sinners. 

iv. The uprooting of heresy, 

These intentions may be fittingly recalled and prayed for after Communion, or at the visit; but a general intention of praying according to the mind of the Pope is sufficient ; and any prayers may be used which are not already of obligation, e.g., the Little Hours of a priest’s Office. (July 12, 1847; May 29, 1841.)

Raccolta, xiii, 1910, http://staugustinechapel.org/Doctrine/Raccolta_1910.pdf 

Let us all try to learn and understand the prayers we are saying! These intentions are quite beautiful and should help us pray more fervently instead of simply through habit. 

God Bless

Another interesting reference on the subject from the SSPX in praying for the Pope:
https://sspx.org/en/pray-much-for-the-holy-father-popes-intentions-sspx

October is the month of the Angels, as well as Our Lady, and so I thought I would share some of my favorite prayers to the Guardian Angels.

As a refresher, there are nine choirs of angels in three great hierarchies.

The first hierarchy is made of the Seraphim, Cherubim, and Thrones.

The second hierarchy is made of the Dominations, Virtues, and Power.

The third hierarchy is where our Guardian angels are typically from, comprised of the Principalities, Archangels, and Angels.

It is an amazing and comforting thought that Almighty God loves us so much as to give us into the care of a prince of heaven. Only God knows how much our angels help us, without being seen, without being thanked, without being asked. Our guardian angel’s sole task is to help us on the path to heaven! It is a testament to the virtue of the Angels that they care for us so diligently and lovingly, as we are sinful creatures and they are vastly superior. How we try their patience! It gives our guardian angels great joy when we speak to them and ask them for help. They are more eager to help us than we are to be helped.

Pope St. Leo the Great advised us to “confirmate amicitias cum sanctis angelis” (“Make friendships with the holy angels”). We would be amiss not to take advantage of these spirits so ready and able to help us.

We do not give the angels the importance they deserve; we do not pray to them enough. The angels are very much touched when we pray to them. It is very useful to pray to the angels.

Pere Lamy

Below are some of my favorite prayers to the Angels.

Guardian Angel Prayer

Angel of God, my Guardian dear
To whom God’s love entrusts me here
Ever this day be at my side
To light, to guard, to rule, and guide
Amen.

Goodnight my Guardian Angel

Goodnight, my Guardian Angel.
The day has sped away.
Well spent, or ill, it’s story
Is written down for aye.
And now of God’s kind providence
Thou image, pure and bright
Watch over me while I’m sleeping
My Angel, dear, goodnight.

Prayer to Angels in public places

Dearest angels here present, I honor and love you and give thanks to God for all the glory He has given you.

All About the Angels, p. 42

Send your Angel to Holy Mass

O Holy Angel at my side, go to the church for me,
Kneel in my place at Holy Mass, where I desire to be.
At Offertory, in my stead, take all I am and own,
And place it as a sacrifice, upon the altar throne.
At Holy Consecration’s bell, adore with seraph’s love
My Jesus hidden in the Host, come down from Heav’n above.
Then pray for those I dearly love,
And those who cause me grief,
That Jesus’ Blood may cleanse all hearts,
And suffering souls relieve.
And when the priest Communion takes,
Oh, bring my Lord to me,
That His sweet Heart may rest on mine, and I His temple be.
Pray that this Sacrifice Divine, may mankind’s sins efface;
Then bring me Jesus’ blessing home,
The pledge of every grace.
In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Though one should never observe others during mass, over the years I have seen many people in mass do different things during the consecration. Some make the sign of the cross, others strike their chest. I wanted to examine a few different directions on proper deportment here.

Our missals are a good, widely available tool on proper etiquette during mass and have the following to say.

The Saint Andrew Daily Missal, p. 975, after the consecration of the wine

The consecrated species are thus shown to the congregation as a protest against the heretics who denied the Real Presence. Pius X granted an indulgence of seven years and seven quarantines to all who, looking on them, said “Dominus meus et Deus meus – My Lord and my God.” To all such as do so daily he granted a plenary indulgence once a week provided they receive Holy Communion, subject to the usual conditions (S.C. Ind. July 12th, 1906). It is, however, forbidden to say this invocation aloud (S.C.R., Nov. 6th, 1925).

The St. Joseph Daily Missal states:

When he (the priest) elevates the Sacred Host, look at It and say “my Lord and my God”.

Christian Warfare, page 42

After pronouncing the words of Consecration, the priest, kneeling, adores the Sacred Host; rising, he elevates It. — Look up at the Sacred Host, with faith, piety, and love, saying: “My Lord and my God!”

Further, another source, The Mass by Fr. Joseph Dunney, pages 189 and 195 specify on gazing at the Eucharist:

“So when the elevation takes place, look with love and reverence on the Host, the divine Victim, held aloft in the priest’s hands. Look to him, “the author and finisher of our faith, who having joy set before Him, endured the cross, despising the same.” Bring this home to your mind over and over again. From the highest heavens He comes to us in the Mass. Think of that! God is now on our altar, and God is love. So He ought to be loved. Adore Him. Speak to Him, beg his mercy for your parents, your friends, for all who may need your intercession.”

“When,” writes Cardinal Mercier, “the celebrant has accomplished the liturgical act of highest excellence, the Consecration, and when, according to the rubrics, he elevates the sacred Host in a manner so as to render it visible to the assemblage of Christians, it is not fitting that they should remain with heads bowed to earth. The elevation is made for them – tell them. Where, that they should humbly follow with their eyes the sacred Species, at the elevation of the sacred Host and of the chalice containing the precious blood as well.”

At the least, it is safe to say that during the Consecration and Elevation one should look upon Our Lord Jesus in the Eucharist with love and devotion, declaring our faith in His presence by silently saying “My Lord and my God!” The Host is elevated for the faithful – declare your faith!

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On striking one’s breast, the Society of St. Pius the X in their article “Attendance and participation at Mass” specify:

“Striking one’s breast. This gesture was used by the Jews, signified grief, mourning or sorrow, and the Church still keeps it to express contrition and to ask pardon of God. Logically one should strike the breast only at the words which refer to ourselves as sinners (mea culpa, miserere nobis, dona nobis pacem, Domine non sum dignus…) and not, for example, at the Agnus Dei of a Requiem Mass, where it says dona eis requiem instead of miserere nobis.”

Which would seem to indicate it would not be appropriate during the consecration. Alternatively the same article specifies about the Sign of the Cross:

“The Sign of the Cross. This is the seal which marks the Catholic and which should be the hallmark of his every action. It is used at the onset of every liturgical action, together with a formula which shows its meaning, e.g., In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti; Deus in adjutorium meum intende…. We use it when we receive a blessing, which is always conferred in the name of redemption through the cross…. Furthermore, at the most solemn moments of the liturgy, namely, the Gospel, and the hymns of the New Testament. (Sometimes it has a slightly different form: three signs of the cross, made on the forehead, the lips and the heart.)”

Which also does not include the consecration. 

Note, previously in the article, on the Sign of the Cross is mentioned:

“Let us note here that nothing is more ungraceful and more useless that to make a sign of the cross while genuflecting. For each gesture has its own meaning, and should be done separately.”

Every gesture has its own meaning. Whether making the sign of the cross or striking one’s breast during the consecration, do not forget to gaze upon our Savior with love and faith, declaring your belief! Also… make a good genuflection to our Lord in the Eucharist, and do not confuse the act of adoration with a sign of the cross.

God Bless

From The Blessed Eucharist, Our Greatest Treasure, by Fr. Michael Muller, C.S.S.R.

… a great many Christians pay little or no reverence to Jesus Chris, when humbly concealed in the Sacrament of His love.

In what does her conduct differ from that of many people in our day? Do we not see men who hardly bow their head, much less bend the knee when passing before that Most August Sacrament? 

But if they only reflected on what their faith teaches, viz: that under that little host Jesus Christ conceals His heavenly splendor and glory, how different would be their deportment! How different their thoughts and feelings! Would you know how they would act if their faith was real and lively? Go to the palace of a king. Mark the silent expectation in that splendid apartment! What mean those movements so circumspect? That tread so noiseless? That voice so subdued? Ah! ‘Tis the Royal Antechamber! There, a loud word is an impertinence; there, unbecoming attire is a crime. But hark! Even that stealthy conversation is hushed; every eye is turned to one point, each one assumes the most respectful attitude, the curtain is drawn, and the obsequious courtiers stand in the presence of their King. What an unpardonable breach of decorum would it not be for any one, to remain sitting at a moment like this! Yes, to talk, to laugh, or to remain with head covered!

Now, if such honor is paid to earthly princes, what reverence is not then due to Him Who is “King of kings and Lord of lords?” St. John Chrysostom is indignant with us for even making the comparison, and it is with reason. For what is an emperor when compared to the King of Heaven and earth? He is less than the blade of grass when compared to the whole universe. 

Who could believe that Jesus Christ is present in this Sacrament, and fail in reverence towards it? What reverence did not the Jews pay to the ark of the Covenant! No one dared to approach it; yet fifty thousand persons who, through curiosity, ventured to gaze thereat, were instantly  struck dead, as a punishment for their rash act! Yet, what did the ark contain? Only the ten commandments of God. But in the Holy Eucharist, faith tells us that God Himself is present, He Who made all things out of nothing, and could destroy them in a moment. He Who, at the last day, will come on the clouds of heaven to judge the living and the dead. Only let Catholics believe this with a lively faith, and our churches will be filled with worshippers, whose deportment will correspond to their belief. The modest attire, the guarded eye, the bended knee, the meekly folded hands, will bespeak the conviction of their hearts. Only let Catholics have a lively faith in this mystery, and Jesus Christ will seldom be left alone. At all hours, His children will come to present themselves before Him, as subjects before their prince, as slaves before their master, as sick men before their physician, as children before their father, in a word, as friends before their beloved friend. 

St. Basil and St. John Chrysostom testify to having seen at the time of Mass, or when the Blessed Sacrament was exposed, many hosts of Angels in human form, clothed with white garments and standing round the altar as soldiers stand before their king. But what was their attitude and deportment? Their heads were bowed, their faces covered, their hands crossed, and the whole body so profoundly inclined as to express the deepest sense of their own unworthiness to appear before the Divine Majesty. O would we but think of this! The Angels, those pure spirits, shrink before the Infinite Holiness of God, and we allow vain, worldly and even sinful thoughts to insinuate themselves into our minds in His Presence! The Angels tremble before His Greatness, and we fear not to talk and laugh in His Presence! The Angels, those princes of heaven, are all humility and modesty, and we, the dust of the earth and miserable sinners, all impertinence and pride! The Angels veil their faces before His splendor, and we do not even so much as cast down our eyes, but rudely stare and gaze around! The Angels bow down to the earth, and we will not bend our knee! The Angels, full of awe, fold their hands upon their breasts, and we allow ourselves every freedom of attitude and movement!! O what a subject of confusion! What humiliating reflections! What an impressive lesson!

During this time of separation from the sacraments, it is often difficult to obey the directives given by our lawful superiors, whether spiritual or temporal. It would be easy for the pious faithful among us to think that it would be better to follow our own inclinations and seek out the sacraments despite the direction of our diocese. During these times, it’s always safe to look to the Saints.

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What is Obedience?

Charity alone places us in perfection. But the three great means of attaining to it are obedience, chastity, and poverty. Obedience consecrates our heart, chastity our body, and poverty our worldly means to the love and service of God…

There are two kinds of obedience, one imperative, the other voluntary. By the first, you are bound humbly to obey your ecclesiastical superiors; that is the Pope, your Bishop, your pastor, and such as may be commissioned by them. You are further bound to obey your temporal superiors, that is your sovereign, and the magistrates whom he appoints over the land…

This is imperative obedience, and no one can be exempt from the duty of obeying his superiors, their authority to govern and command, according to their several conditions, being given them by God.

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We must obey all superiors in those things in which they are especially set over us, obeying our temporal rulers in all political and public matters, our spiritual rulers in all things ecclesiastical, our father, husband, or master in domestic concerns and our confessor in all appertaining to the guidance of our soul.

St. Francis de Sales

St. John of the Cross has said, “God wants from us the least degree of obedience and submission, rather than all the works we desire to offer Him” (SMB I, 13). Why? Because obedience makes us surrender our own will to adhere to God’s will as expressed in the orders of our superiors;

Divine Intimacy, The Value of Obedience I.

The Value of Obedience

We all have a natural inclination to command, and a great aversion to obey; and yet, it is certain that it is more to our advantage to obey than to command. It is for this reason that perfect souls have so great an affection for obedience, and find it in all their delight.

St. Francis de Sales

Obedience is, without doubt, more meritorious than any austerity. And what greater austerity can be thought of than that of keeping one’s will constantly submissive and obedient?

St. Catherine of Bologna

Obedience is a penance of the soul, and for that reason a sacrifice more acceptable than all corporal penances. Thence it happens that God loves more the least degree of obedience in thee, than all the other services thou mayest think to render Him.

St. John of the Cross

A little drop of simple obedience is worth a million times more than a whole vase full of the choicest contemplations.

St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi

Of Thoughts Contrary to Obedience.

Beware of examining and judging the orders of Superiors, and considering why such a thing was commanded, or whether another course would have been better. All this belongs not to the subject, but to the Superior.

St. Jerome

If you ever are conscious of impulses, thoughts and judgements opposed to obedience, though apparently good and holy, do not admit them on any account, but reject them promptly, as you would thoughts against chastity or faith.

St. John Climacus

It is not enough for obedience to do what is commanded. It must be done without debate, and must be looked upon as the best and most perfect thing possible, though it may seem and may even be the contrary.

St. Philip Neri

The Scriptures

Servants, be obedient to them that are your lords… as to Christ… doing the will of God from the heart”

Ephesians 6, 5-6

He humbled Himself, becoming obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross.

Philippians 2, 8

Father… not My will but Thine be done.

Luke 22, 42

The Angelus Domini, shorted to the Angelus, is the ringing of the church bell three times in three groups during morning, midday, and evening. While the monasteries would say Matins, Prime, and Compline at this time, the faithful would hear the bell, stop what they were doing, and say three Hail Mary’s.

As early as 1612 A.D. we find the form of the Angelus we pray today, remembering the mystery of the Incarnation, especially that of the Annunciation. Earlier than that, in 1588 the prayer appeared in the “Catholics’ Manual” of St. Peter Canisius. During Paschaltide, this is replaced by the more joyous Regina Coeli.

One very practical aspect of making a habit of the Angelus is the reminder throughout the day to turn to heavenly thoughts. Even if you are at work and have the opportunity to take a minute or so to say this prayer, it presents an opportunity to turn our minds back to Our Lady and ask her to help us serve her well during the day. Our Catholic life should be constant, but it is easy to get caught up in the duties of our station and forget to turn our minds back to God. Offering all our actions of the day to Our Lord is a powerful way to make our life and actions, no matter how small, an act of love to God. Taking a moment to remember the mystery of the Incarnation, and the humility and obedience of Our Lady is a way we can all strengthen our resolve to lead a good life.

The church fathers who have written about the life of Our Lady described her life as one of constant meditation and union of thought with God. She was described to have “kept all these words, pondering them in her in her heart”¹ and this is one reference of her spiritual life. It is interesting that we see the writings of the church fathers on this subject, as Our Lady lived the life of a mother, performing her daily duty perfectly, but never letting it conflict with her perfect resignation to the will of God.

Remembering the words “behold the handmaid of the Lord” should remind us all that Our Lady accepted the will of God without reservation. We must accept His will without reservation as well, but we will not be able to do this without a strong interior life. Remembering the fiat of Our Lady will serve as a constant strength as we live out our daily duty.

When we say the words “and the Word was made Flesh”, we should remember the tremendous sacrifice Our Lord made for us, and the infinite love He has for us that caused Him to come to earth for us. No sacrifice we are asked to endure should be too heavy when we remember that He who was innocence itself was called guilty for our sake.

Footnotes:

1. Luke 2:19

Resources:

https://www.fisheaters.com/angelus.html

https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/short-history-of-the-angelus-9114

The History of the Angelus Prayer

The Cure of Ars was a great Saint who showed what the love of God, in simplicity and perseverance, can accomplish.

When he was made the Cure, or Pastor, of the small city of Ars, it was an immoral town with very little faith. Over the years, through his efforts, it grew to be a beacon of the Catholic faith in the world, and remains a great pilgrimage destination. The devil once said that if there were two such men in the world like him, his kingdom on earth would be broken.

One of the many sermons that he preached that survived to us today was on grace. In it he says:

Can we, of our own strength, avoid sin, and practice virtue? No, my children, we can do nothing without the grace of God: that is an article of faith; Jesus Christ Himself taught it to us. See, the Church thinks, and all the Saints have thought with her, that grace is absolutely necessary to us, and that without it we can neither believe, nor hope, nor love, nor do penance for our sins. St. Paul, whose piety was not counterfeit, assures us, on his part, that we cannot of ourselves even pronounce the name of Jesus in a manner that can gain merit for Heaven. As the earth can produce nothing unless it is fertilized by the sun, so we can do no good without the grace of the good God.

During difficult times, we often find ourselves wondering things like “how can I possibly endure this?” or “how will I be able to make it through this?”. The answer, by yourself, is that we cannot. Only by accepting our total dependence on God can we endure any hardship properly. But if we do reach out to our Lord and Savior, and the intercession of His Mother and the Saints, not only do we receive the help we need, but we make God very happy.

Sometimes we may think a trial is sent to us so that “we” have to endure it, on our own. This is not only prideful, it is extremely dangerous! The more we humble ourselves, recognizing that we cannot endure anything without the grace of God, the more he will help us endure, and the more honor and glory we will give to Him.

Can we, of our own strength, avoid sin, and practice virtue? No, my children, we can do nothing without the grace of God…