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Thursday, September 14, 2017 Stabat Mater (English and Latin) English At the Cross her station keeping, stood the mournful Mother weeping, close to her Son to the last. Through her heart, His sorrow sharing, all His bitter anguish bearing, now at length the sword has passed. O how sad and sore distressed was that Mother, highly blest, of the sole-begotten One. Christ above in torment hangs, she beneath beholds the pangs of her dying glorious Son. Is there one who would not weep, whelmed in miseries so deep, Christ's dear Mother to behold? Can the human heart refrain from partaking in her pain, in that Mother's pain untold? For the sins of His own nation, She saw Jesus wracked with torment, All with scourges rent: She beheld her tender Child, Saw Him hang in desolation, Till His spirit forth He sent. O thou Mother! fount of love! Touch my spirit from above, make my heart with thine accord: Make me feel as thou hast felt; make my soul to glow and melt with the love of Christ my Lord. Holy Mother! pierce me through, in my heart each wound renew of my Savior crucified: Let me share with thee His pain, who for all my sins was slain, who for me in torments died. Let me mingle tears with thee, mourning Him who mourned for me, all the days that I may live: By the Cross with thee to stay, there with thee to weep and pray, is all I ask of thee to give. Virgin of all virgins blest!, Listen to my fond request: let me share thy grief divine; Let me, to my latest breath, in my body bear the death of that dying Son of thine. Wounded with His every wound, steep my soul till it hath swooned, in His very Blood away; Be to me, O Virgin, nigh, lest in flames I burn and die, in His awful Judgment Day. Christ, when Thou shalt call me hence, be Thy Mother my defense, be Thy Cross my victory; While my body here decays, may my soul Thy goodness praise, Safe in Paradise with Thee. Amen Latin Stabat mater dolorósa juxta Crucem lacrimósa, dum pendébat Fílius. Cuius ánimam geméntem, contristátam et doléntem pertransívit gládius. O quam tristis et afflícta fuit illa benedícta, mater Unigéniti! Quae mœrébat et dolébat, pia Mater, dum vidébat nati pœnas ínclyti. Quis est homo qui non fleret, matrem Christi si vidéret in tanto supplício? Quis non posset contristári Christi Matrem contemplári doléntem cum Fílio? Pro peccátis suæ gentis vidit Iésum in torméntis, et flagéllis súbditum. Vidit suum dulcem Natum moriéndo desolátum, dum emísit spíritum. Eia, Mater, fons amóris me sentíre vim dolóris fac, ut tecum lúgeam. Fac, ut árdeat cor meum in amándo Christum Deum ut sibi compláceam. Sancta Mater, istud agas, crucifíxi fige plagas cordi meo válide. Tui Nati vulneráti, tam dignáti pro me pati, pœnas mecum dívide. Fac me tecum pie flere, crucifíxo condolére, donec ego víxero. Juxta Crucem tecum stare, et me tibi sociáre in planctu desídero. Virgo vírginum præclára, mihi iam non sis amára, fac me tecum plángere. Fac, ut portem Christi mortem, passiónis fac consórtem, et plagas recólere. Fac me plagis vulnerári, fac me Cruce inebriári, et cruóre Fílii. Flammis ne urar succénsus, per te, Virgo, sim defénsus in die iudícii. Christe, cum sit hinc exíre, da per Matrem me veníre ad palmam victóriæ. Quando corpus moriétur, fac, ut ánimæ donétur paradísi glória. Amen. Posted by Steve Smith at 9/14/2017 10:57:00 PM No comments: Links to this post Labels: Catholic, Catholic Blogs, Catholic Devotions, Memorial, Our Lady of Sorrows, Stabat Mater, The Blessed Virgin Mary I am 60 years old, single, and live in the mountains of western NC. I am a Catholic convert, and a blogger with over 20 blogs. My main blog is "Faith of the Fathers", and the most popular blog is "Saint Quote of the Day". My newest blog is "The Gaited Horse Blog". Monday, August 21, 2017 The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary Encyclical of Pope Pius XII on proclaiming the Queenship Of Mary, 11 October 1954. Excerpts from sections 1-40. From the earliest ages of the Catholic Church a Christian people, whether in time of triumph or more especially in time of crisis, has addressed prayers of petition and hymns of praise and veneration to the Queen of Heaven. And never has that hope wavered which they placed in the Mother of the Divine King, Jesus Christ; nor has that faith ever failed by which we are taught that Mary, the Virgin Mother of God, reigns with a mother's solicitude over the entire world, just as she is crowned in heavenly blessedness with the glory of a Queen. From early times Christians have believed, and not without reason, that she of whom was born the Son of the Most High received privileges of grace above all other beings created by God. He "will reign in the house of Jacob forever,"[5] "the Prince of Peace,"[6] the "King of Kings and Lord of Lords."[7] And when Christians reflected upon the intimate connection that obtains between a mother and a son, they readily acknowledged the supreme royal dignity of the Mother of God. Hence it is not surprising that the early writers of the Church called Mary "the Mother of the King" and "the Mother of the Lord," basing their stand on the words of St. Gabriel the archangel, who foretold that the Son of Mary would reign forever,[8] and on the words of Elizabeth who greeted her with reverence and called her "the Mother of my Lord."[9] Thereby they clearly signified that she derived a certain eminence and exalted station from the royal dignity of her Son. Hence it is not surprising that the early writers of the Church called Mary "the Mother of the King" and "the Mother of the Lord," basing their stand on the words of St. Gabriel the archangel, who foretold that the Son of Mary would reign forever,[8] and on the words of Elizabeth who greeted her with reverence and called her "the Mother of my Lord."[9] Thereby they clearly signified that she derived a certain eminence and exalted station from the royal dignity of her Son. So it is that St. Ephrem, burning with poetic inspiration, represents her as speaking in this way: "Let Heaven sustain me in its embrace, because I am honored above it. For heaven was not Thy mother, but Thou hast made it Thy throne. How much more honorable and venerable than the throne of a king is his mother."[10] And in another place he thus prays to her: ". Majestic and Heavenly Maid, Lady, Queen, protect and keep me under your wing lest Satan the sower of destruction glory over me, lest my wicked foe be victorious against me."[11] She is called by St. John Damascene: "Queen, ruler, and lady,"[23] and also "the Queen of every creature."[24] Another ancient writer of the Eastern Church calls her "favored Queen," "the perpetual Queen beside the King, her son," whose "snow-white brow is crowned with a golden diadem."[25] As We have already mentioned, Venerable Brothers, according to ancient tradition and the sacred liturgy the main principle on which the royal dignity of Mary rests is without doubt her Divine Motherhood. As We have already mentioned, Venerable Brothers, according to ancient tradition and the sacred liturgy the main principle on which the royal dignity of Mary rests is without doubt her Divine Motherhood. But the Blessed Virgin Mary should be called Queen, not only because of her Divine Motherhood, but also because God has willed her to have an exceptional role in the work of our eternal salvation. "What more joyful, what sweeter thought can we have"--as Our Predecessor of happy memory, Pius XI wrote --"than that Christ is our King not only by natural right, but also by an acquired right: that which He won by the redemption? Would that all men, now forgetful of how much we cost Our Savior, might recall to mind the words, 'You were redeemed, not with gold or silver which perishes, . but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb spotless and undefiled.[43] We belong not to ourselves now, since Christ has bought us 'at a great price'."[44]/[45] Now, in the accomplishing of this work of redemption, the Blessed Virgin Mary was most closely associated with Christ; and so it is fitting to sing in the sacred liturgy: "Near the cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ there stood, sorrowful, the Blessed Mary, Queen of Heaven and Queen of the World."[46] Hence, as the devout disciple of St. Anselm (Eadmer, ed.) wrote in the Middle Ages: "just as . God, by making all through His power, is Father and Lord of all, so the blessed Mary, by repairing all through her merits, is Mother and Queen of all; for God is the Lord of all things, because by His command He establishes each of them in its own nature, and Mary is the Queen of all things, because she restores each to its original dignity through the grace which she merited.[47] From these considerations, the proof develops on these lines: if Mary, in taking an active part in the work of salvation, was, by God's design, associated with Jesus Christ, the source of salvation itself, in a manner comparable to that in which Eve was associated with Adam, the source of death, so that it may be stated that the work of our salvation was accomplished by a kind of "recapitulation,"[49] in which a virgin was instrumental in the salvation of the human race, just as a virgin had been closely associated with its death; if, moreover, it can likewise be stated that this glorious Lady had been chosen Mother of Christ "in order that she might become a partner in the redemption of the human race";[50] and if, in truth, "it was she who, free of the stain of actual and original sin, and ever most closely bound to her Son, on Golgotha offered that Son to the Eternal Father together with the complete sacrifice of her maternal rights and maternal love, like a new Eve, for all the sons of Adam, stained as they were by his lamentable fall,"[51] then it may be legitimately concluded that as Christ, the new Adam, must be called a King not merely because He is Son of God, but also because He is our Redeemer, so, analogously, the Most Blessed Virgin is queen not only because she is Mother of God, but also because, as the new Eve, she was associated with the new Adam. Certainly, in the full and strict meaning of the term, only Jesus Christ, the God-Man, is King; but Mary, too, as Mother of the divine Christ, as His associate in the redemption, in his struggle with His enemies and His final victory over them, has a share, though in a limited and analogous way, in His royal dignity. For from her union with Christ she attains a radiant eminence transcending that of any other creature; from her union with Christ she receives the royal right to dispose of the treasures of the Divine Redeemer's Kingdom; from her union with Christ finally is derived the inexhaustible efficacy of her maternal intercession before the Son and His Father. Hence it cannot be doubted that Mary most Holy is far above all other creatures in dignity, and after her Son possesses primacy over all. "You have surpassed every creature," sings St. Sophronius. "What can be more sublime than your joy, O Virgin Mother? What more noble than this grace, which you alone have received from God"?[52] To this St. Germanus adds: "Your honor and dignity surpass the whole of creation; your greatness places you above the angels."[53] And St. John Damascene goes so far as to say: "Limitless is the difference between God's servants and His Mother."[54] The Encyclical of Venerable Pope Pius XII AD CAELI REGINAM can be read in it's entirety ( in English) on the website of The Holy See by clicking here. Notes Luc. Isai. Apoc. Luc. Luc. Ephraem, Hymni de B Maria, ed. Lamy, t. II, Mechliniae, 1886, hymn. Idem, Oratio ad Ssmam Dei Matrem; Opera omnia, Ed. Assemani, t. III (graece), Romae, 1747, pag. Ioannes Damascenus, Homilia I in Dormitionem B.M.V. : P.G. XCVI, 719 A. Id., De fide orthodoxa, I, IV, c. 14: PG XLIV, 1158 B. De laudibus Mariae (inter opera Venantii Fortunati): PL LXXXVIII, 282 B et 283 A. I Petr. I Cor. Pius XI, litt. enc. Quas primas: AAS XVII, 1925, p. 599. Festum septem dolorum B. Mariae Virg., Tractus. Eadmerus, De excellentia Virginis Mariae, c. 11: PL CLIX, 508 A B. Irenaeus, Adv. haer. Pius XI, epist. Auspicatus profecto: AAS XXV, 1933, p. 80. Pius XII, litt. enc. Mystici Corporis: AAS XXXV, 1943, p. 247. Sophronius, In annuntianone Beatae Mariae Virginis: PG LXXXVII, 3238 D; 3242 A. Germanus, Hom. II in dormitione Beatae Mariae Virginis: PG XCVIII, 354 B. Ioannes Damascenus, Hom. I in Dormitionem Beatae Mariae Virginis: PG XCVI, 715 A. Posted by Steve Smith at 8/21/2017 08:59:00 PM No comments: Links to this post Labels: Memorial, Mother of God, Our Lady, The Blessed Virgin Mary, The Holy Mother, The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary I am 60 years old, single, and live in the mountains of western NC. I am a Catholic convert, and a blogger with over 20 blogs. My main blog is "Faith of the Fathers", and the most popular blog is "Saint Quote of the Day". My newest blog is "The Gaited Horse Blog". Thursday, November 20, 2014 Feast of The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Goffine's Devout Instructions) November 21 THE BLESSED VIRGIN was presented in the temple at Jerusalem by her pious parents, Joachim and Ann, there to be educated in the service and the law of the Lord in order that she might be guarded against the defilements of the world. From this we learn: Joachim and Ann offered to the Lord their only and most beloved child, and gave her up entirely to His service. Great as the sacrifice was, they yet made it. The preservation of the innocence of their daughter was to them above all else. Parents, God requires of you that you should not merely offer your children to Him in the temple, but that you should take care to keep them pure and holy, as living temples which have been consecrated in Baptism. Mary gives and dedicates herself to God as soon as she is capable of serving Him, and that without any reservation, for all time, and irrevocably. When, then, shall we give ourselves in earnest to God? True, we have been given to Him in holy Baptism, we have been consecrated as His temples, we have renounced the devil and the world, we have vowed to live only for God, and this vow we have, perhaps, often renewed; but have we kept it? What we gave with one hand, have we not taken it away with the other? Have we not defiled the temple of our hearts by shameful lusts, lived for the world and vanity more than for God? Ah, when shall we give ourselves up to God sincerely and forever? Perhaps when we are old! But will God accept our offering then? Will He be pleased that we begin to serve Him only when we can no longer serve the world? that we first begin to live for Him when our life is soon to cease? No; God is a jealous Lord, and is not pleased with a heart divided between Him and creatures. He requires us to love Him with all our heart and all our soul, and to serve Him with all our powers. Let us, then, do this, and do it from our youth; let us keep ourselves in body and soul undefiled for the Lord; such love, and such love only, will He reward as perfect. Prayer O God, Who wast pleased that the blessed Mary, ever virgin, the habitation of the Holy Ghost, should on this day be presented in the temple, grant, we beseech Thee, that by her intercession we may deserve to be presented in the temple of Thy glory. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen. Epistle: Ecclesiasticus 24:14-16 From the beginning, and before the world, was I created, and unto the world to come I shall not cease to be, and in the holy dwelling-place I have ministered before Him. And so was I established in Sion, and in the holy city likewise I rested, and my power was in Jerusalem. And I took root in an honorable people, and in the portion of my God His inheritance, and my abode is in the full assembly of saints. Gospel: Luke 11:27, 28 And it came to pass, as He spoke these things, a certain woman from the crowd lifting up her voice said to Him: Blessed is the womb that bore Thee, and the paps that gave Thee suck. But He said: Yea rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it. Explanation By His answer Jesus would have us understand that His Mother was not to be blessed merely because she bore Him, the Son of God, but rather because she at all times endeavored to keep the word of God in her heart and to observe it in her life. If you would be blessed, learn to be not only a hearer, but a doer, of the word of God. -- Goffine's Devout Instructions Posted by Steve Smith at 11/20/2014 11:53:00 PM No comments: Links to this post Labels: Feast, Goffines Devout Instructions, Memorial, Mother of God, Our Lady, Presentation, The Blessed Virgin Mary I am 60 years old, single, and live in the mountains of western NC. I am a Catholic convert, and a blogger with over 20 blogs. My main blog is "Faith of the Fathers", and the most popular blog is "Saint Quote of the Day". My newest blog is "The Gaited Horse Blog". Tuesday, July 15, 2014 Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel July 16 The Church celebrates on this day the feast of the Scapular of Mount Carmel. The scapular, which derives its name from the Latin word scapulæ, meaning shoulders, is a dress which covers the shoulders. It is mentioned in the rule of Saint Benedict as worn by monks over their other dress when they were at work, and it now forms a regular part of the religious dress in the old Orders. But it is best known among Catholics as the name of two little pieces of cloth worn out of devotion to the Blessed Virgin over the shoulders, under the ordinary garb, and connected by strings. The devotion of the scapular, now almost universal in the Catholic Church, began with the Carmelites. The history of its origin is as follows: During the thirteenth century the Carmelite Order suffered great persecution, and on 16 July 1251, while Saint Simon Stock, then general of the Order, was at prayer, the Blessed Virgin appeared to him, holding in her hand a scapular. Giving it to the saint, she said, “Receive, my dear son, this scapular of thy Order, as the distinctive sign of my confraternity, and the mark of the privilege which I have obtained for thee and the children of Carmel. It is a sign of salvation, a safeguard in danger, and a special pledge of peace and protection till the end of time. Whosoever dies wearing this shall be preserved from eternal flames.” It is much to be wished that people should everywhere join this confraternity, for the honor of Mary and for the salvation of souls, by a life fitted to that end. In order to have a share in the merits of the sodality every member must: Shun sin, and, according to his state of life, live chastely. Say every day, if possible, seven times, Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be to the Father. Strive to serve God by venerating Mary, and imitating her virtues. These rules, it is true, are not binding under penalty of sin, but the breach of them deprives us of all merit; and is not this something to be taken into account? “He who sowetb sparingly shall also reap sparingly.” (II Corinthians 9:6) The Introit of the Mass is as follows: “Let us all rejoice in the Lord, and celebrate a festal-day in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary, on whose solemn feast the angels rejoice, and give praise to the Son of God. My heart hath uttered a good word; I speak of my works for the King.” Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Prayer O God, Who hast honored the Order of Carmelites with the particular title of the most blessed Virgin Mary, Thy Mother, mercifully grant that, protected by her prayers whose commemoration we this day celebrate with a solemn office, we may deserve to arrive at joy everlasting. Who livest, and reignest, for ever and ever. Amen. Epistle: Ecclesiasticus 24:28-81 As the vine, I have brought forth a pleasant odor, and my flowers are the fruit of honor and riches. I am the mother of fair love, and of fear, and of knowledge, and of holy hope. In me is all grace of the way and of the truth; in me is all hope of life and of virtue. Come over to me, all ye that desire me, and be filled with my fruits. For my spirit is sweet above honey, and my inheritance above honey and the honeycomb My memory is unto everlasting generations. They that eat me shall yet hunger; and they that drink me, shall yet thirst. He that hearkeneth to me shall not be confounded; and they that work by me shall not sin. They that explain me shall have life everlasting. Explanation The Church applies this epistle to Mary, thereby encouraging us fervently to honor the blessed Mother of God, in whom the Eternal Wisdom dwelt bodIly, and through whom He was given to us, that by her intercession our understanding may be enlightened, our will strengthened, and we be inspired with fresh zeal to practice ourselves, and to prevail on others to practice also, whatever is chaste, becoming, and holy. Gospel: Luke 11:27, 28 And it came to pass as He spoke these things, a certain woman from the crowd lifting up her voice said to Him: Blessed is the womb that bore Thee, and the paps that gave Thee suck. But He said: Yea rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God, and keep it. – Goffine’s Devout Instructions Posted by Steve Smith at 7/15/2014 11:52:00 PM No comments: Links to this post Labels: Feast, Goffines Devout Instructions, Memorial, Mother of God, Our Lady, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, The Blessed Virgin Mary, The Holy Mother I am 60 years old, single, and live in the mountains of western NC. I am a Catholic convert, and a blogger with over 20 blogs. My main blog is "Faith of the Fathers", and the most popular blog is "Saint Quote of the Day". My newest blog is "The Gaited Horse Blog". Wednesday, November 20, 2013 Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin (Goffine’s Devout Instructions) November 21 The Blessed Virgin was presented in the temple at Jerusalem by her pious parents, Joachim and Ann, there to be educated in the service and the law of the Lord in order that she might be guarded against the defilements of the world. From this we learn: - Joachim and Ann offered to the Lord their only and most beloved child, and gave her up entirely to His service. Great as the sacrifice was, they yet made it. The preservation of the innocence of their daughter was to them above all else. Parents, God requires of you that you should not merely offer your children to Him in the temple, but that you should take care to keep them pure and holy, as living temples which have been consecrated in Baptism. - Mary gives and dedicates herself to God as soon as she is capable of serving Him, and that without any reservation, for all time, and irrevocably. When, then, shall we give ourselves in earnest to God? True, we have been given to Him in holy Baptism, we have been consecrated as His temples, we have renounced the devil and the world, we have vowed to live only for God, and this vow we have, perhaps, often renewed; but have we kept it? What we gave with one hand, have we not taken it away with the other? Have we not defiled the temple of our hearts by shameful lusts, lived for the world and vanity more than for God? Ah, when shall we give ourselves up to God sincerely and forever? Perhaps when we are old! But will God accept our offering then? Will He be pleased that we begin to serve Him only when we can no longer serve the world? that we first begin to live for Him when our life is soon to cease? No; God is a jealous Lord, and is not pleased with a heart divided between Him and creatures. He requires us to love Him with all our heart and all our soul, and to serve Him with all our powers. Let us, then, do this, and do it from our youth; let us keep ourselves in body and soul undefiled for the Lord; such love, and such love only, will He reward as perfect. Prayer O God, Who wast pleased that the blessed Mary, ever virgin, the habitation of the Holy Ghost, should on this day be presented in the temple, grant, we beseech Thee, that by her intercession we may deserve to be presented in the temple of Thy glory. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen. Epistle: Ecclesiasticus 24:14-16 From the beginning, and before the world, was I created, and unto the world to come I shall not cease to be, and in the holy dwelling-place I have ministered before Him. And so was I established in Sion, and in the holy city likewise I rested, and my power was in Jerusalem. And I took root in an honorable people, and in the portion of my God His inheritance, and my abode is in the full assembly of saints. Gospel: Luke 11:27, 28 And it came to pass, as He spoke these things, a certain woman from the crowd lifting up her voice said to Him: Blessed is the womb that bore Thee, and the paps that gave Thee suck. But He said: Yea rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it. Explanation By His answer Jesus would have us understand that His Mother was not to be blessed merely because she bore Him, the Son of God, but rather because she at all times endeavored to keep the word of God in her heart and to observe it in her life. If you would be blessed, learn to be not only a hearer, but a doer, of the word of God. – Goffine’s Devout Instructions Posted by Steve Smith at 11/20/2013 11:23:00 PM No comments: Links to this post Labels: Feast, Goffines Devout Instructions, Memorial, Mother of God, Our Lady, Solemnity, The Blessed Virgin Mary I am 60 years old, single, and live in the mountains of western NC. I am a Catholic convert, and a blogger with over 20 blogs. My main blog is "Faith of the Fathers", and the most popular blog is "Saint Quote of the Day". My newest blog is "The Gaited Horse Blog". Sunday, October 06, 2013 Feast of the Holy Rosary (Our Lady of the Rosary) from Goffine's Devout Instructions First Sunday in October (Now October 7*) How was this prayer introduced into the Church? Is the Rosary a profitable method of prayer? How should we say the Rosary? Properly; that is, as has been above described, and slowly, with a distinct pronunciation of the prayers and mysteries. Devoutly, not only with the lips, but also with the heart. Prayer Epistle: Proverbs 8:22-35 Gospel: Luke 1:26-38 This feast was fixed for the first Sunday in October by Pope Clement XI, in perpetual commemoration of a celebrated double victory gained by the Christians at Lepanto, in 1571, under Pope Saint Pius V, and at Belgrade, under Pope Clement XI, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, who had been invoked by saying the Holy Rosary. It is at the same time the principal feast of the Arch-confraternity of the Holy Rosary. In 1885 Pope Leo XIII, ordered the Rosary to be recited every day duriug the month of October in every parish church and cathedral throughout the world, and those of the faithful who cannot be present at this recital he exhorted to say it with their families or in private. The Holy Rosary is a form of prayer in which there is first said the Apostles’ Creed, and then fifteen decades, each one of which consists of ten Hail Marys. Each decade has one Our Father to be said before it, and is followed by a meditation upon some one mystery of our redemption. It is called the Rosary, or Wreath of Roses, because the joyful, the sorrowful, and the glorious mysteries, aptly symbolized by the leaves, the thorns, the flower, of which the rose consists – with the prayers and praises that are blended together – compose, as it were, a wreath or crown. It is also called the Psalter, because it contains a hundred and fifty Hail Marys, as the Psalter of David contains a hundred and fifty psalms, and because it is used in place of the singing of psalms, as practised in former times. There are three parts in the Rosary – the joyful, the sorrowful, the glorious. The joyful part consists of the five first decades, to which are attached five mysteries of the incarnation of Jesus Christ, through which, full of joy, we speak to Mary of Him: - Whom she conceived while a virgin. - Whom she bore to Elizabeth. - Whom she brought forth while a virgin. - Whom she offered to God in the temple. - Whom she found in the temple. The sorrowful part, in like manner, contains five decades, in connection with which there are presented for our meditation five mysteries of the passion and death of Jesus: - Who for us sweat blood. - Who for us was scourged. - Who for us was crowned with thorns. - Who for us bore the heavy cross. - Who for us was crucified. The glorious part, consisting of the last five decades, reminds us of the glory of Christ and of the Blessed Virgin by five mysteries in which we commemorate Him: - Who rose from the dead. - Who ascended into heaven. - Who sent to us the Holy Ghost. - Who received thee, O Virgin, into heaven. - Who crowned thee, O Virgin, in heaven. How was this prayer introduced into the Church? Saint Dominic had for many years preached against the errors of the Albigenses and other heretics, with such zeal and profound ability that they were often convinced. But nevertheless the results were unimportant; but few returned to the bosom of the Catholic Church. In this discouraging state of things Saint Dominic redoubled his prayers and works of penance, and in particular besought Mary for support and assistance. One day Mary appeared to him and taught him the Rosary. He zealously labored to introduce everywhere this manner of prayer, and from that time preached with such success that in a short period more than one hundred thousand heretics and sinners were converted. The divine origin of the Rosary is testified to by the bull of Gregory XIII of the year 1577. Yes; for by bringing before the eyes of the spirit the fundamental mysteries of Christianity it supplies us with the strongest motives to love God, to hate sin, to subdue the passions, to contemn the world and its vanity, and to strive after Christian perfection, in order that we may gain those happy mansions which Jesus prepares for us. The Rosary, besides, brings before us living examples – Jesus and Mary – whom we must follow; and encourages us to good works by pointing to the all-powerful grace procured for us by Jesus, and the all-prevailing intercession of the gracious Mother of God. Let us not be ashamed to carry the beads with us, for otherwise we might be ashamed of being Catholics; let us say the Rosary often – every evening – as was the custom with Catholics in former times, and we shall find that, as in Saint Dominic’s day it was a wholesome check to error, so too In our times it will be, if said aright, a powerful weapon against heresy and unbelief, and will increase faith, piety, and virtue. Properly; that is, as has been above described, and slowly, with a distinct pronunciation of the prayers and mysteries. Devoutly, not only with the lips, but also with the heart. More particularly we ought to meditate upon the mysteries that come before us; thus, at the joyful mysteries we should think of the infinite love of God to men and on His humiliation for us, thanking Him, and promising our love to Him in return; at the sorrowful mysteries we should have compassion on the Saviour suffering for us, should from the heart detest the sins which were the cause of His sufferings, and make the most earnest resolutions for the future; at the glorious mysteries we should remember the glory which awaits us also if we follow Jesus and Mary. O God, Whose only-begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, procured for us the rewards of eternal salvation, grant, we beseech Thee, that, commemorating these mysteries in the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain, and possess what they promise. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, etc. The Lord possessed Me in the beginning of His ways, before He made anything from the beginning. I was set up from eternity, and of old before the earth was made. The depths were not as yet, and I was already conceived, neither had the fountains of waters as yet sprung out: the mountains with their huge bulk had not as yet been established: before the hills I was brought forth: He had not yet made the earth, nor the rivers, nor the poles of the world. When He prepared the heavens, I was present: when with a certain law and compass He enclosed the depths: when He established the sky above, and poised the fountains of waters: when He compassed the sea with its bounds, and set a law to the waters that they should not pass their limits: when He balanced the foundations of the earth, I was with Him forming all things; and was delighted every day, playing before Him at all times; playing in the world, and My delights were to be with the children of men. Now, therefore, ye children, hear Me: Blessed are they that keep My ways. Hear instruction and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth Me, and that watcheth daily at My gates, and waiteth at the posts of My doors. He that shall find Me shall find life, and shall have salvation from the Lord. At that time the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace: the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. Who having heard, was troubled at his saying, and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said to her: Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God. Behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of David His father; and He shall reign in the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there shall be no end. And Mary said to the angel: How shall this be done, because I know not man? And the angel answering, said to her: The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also the Holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And behold thy cousin Elizabeth, she also hath conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her that is called barren; because no word shall be impossible with God. And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word. -- Goffine’s Devout Instruction * Pope Pius X changed the date to 7 October in 1913, as part of his effort to restore celebration of the liturgy of the Sundays. Posted by Steve Smith at 10/06/2013 10:38:00 PM No comments: Links to this post Labels: Feast, Goffines Devout Instructions, Memorial, Our Lady, Our Lady of the Rosary, The Blessed Virgin Mary, The Holy Mother I am 60 years old, single, and live in the mountains of western NC. I am a Catholic convert, and a blogger with over 20 blogs. My main blog is "Faith of the Fathers", and the most popular blog is "Saint Quote of the Day". My newest blog is "The Gaited Horse Blog". Thursday, May 30, 2013 Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (From Goffine's Devout Instruction) May 31 This day is called the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary because on it Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth, whom, as the angel had told her, God had blessed with a son in her old age. In the Introit of the Mass the Church sings: "Hail, holy parent, who didst bring trth the King Who rules heaven and earth forever. My heart hath uttered a good word; I speak of my works for the King." Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Prayer Epistle: Canticle 2:8-14 Gospel: Luke 1:39-47 Explanation of the Canticle "Magnificat," Or "My Soul Doth Magnify The Lord" Aspiration --Goffine's Devout Instructions In the Introit of the Mass the Church sings: "Hail, holy parent, who didst bring trth the King Who rules heaven and earth forever. My heart hath uttered a good word; I speak of my works for the King." Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Prayer Vouchsafe, O Lord, we beseech Thee, unto us Thy servants the gift of Thy heavenly grace, that, as in the childbirth of the Blessed Virgin our salvation began, so from the votive solemnity of her visitation we may obtain an increase of peace. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, etc. Amen. Epistle: Canticle 2:8-14 Behold he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping over the hills. My beloved is like a roe or a young hart; behold he standeth behind our wall, looking through the windows, looking through the lattices. Behold my beloved speaketh to me: Arise, make haste, my love, my dove, my beautiful one, and come. For winter is now past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers have appeared in our land, the tune of pruning is come; the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; the fig-tree hath put forth her green figs; the vines in flower yield their sweet smell. Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come; my dove in the clifts of the rock, in the hollow places of the wall, show me thy face, let thy voice sound in my ears; for thy. voice is sweet, and thy face comely. Gospel: Luke 1:39-47 At that time: Mary rising up went unto the hill-country with haste, into a city of Juda; and she entered into the house of Zachary, and saluted Elizabeth. And it came to pass, that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost; and she cried out with a loud voice and said: Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the Mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed art thou that hast believed, because those things shall be accomplished that were spoken to thee by the Lord. And Mary saId: My soul doth magnify the Lord; and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. As soon as Mary heard that Elizabeth was with child she hastened to her. The alacrity of the Blessed Virgin teaches us that we should take part with gladness in the happiness of our fellow-men, and quickly make ourselves ready to discharge our duties, sacrificing for that object, if necessary, even our own much-loved retirement, our devotions and other exercises of piety. Mary visited her cousin out of real love, not out of unmeaning ceremony. Would that her example were followed in our visits! By the visit of the Blessed Virgin John was sanctified in his mother's womb, and Elizabeth, enlightened by the Holy Ghost, knew, by the miraculous movements of her child, that Mary was the Mother of the Lord. Such effects did this visit produce. What would Jesus effect in us if we received Him with due preparation! Explanation of the Canticle "Magnificat," Or "My Soul Doth Magnify The Lord" In this hymn Mary with joy praises God, the Lord, that He has regarded her humility, aud made her to be the Mother of His only-begotten Son, wherefore she should be called blessed by all generations; and she declares the truths and mysteries which the incarnation brought to light. The mercy of God, namely, reaches from generation to generation to them that fear Him. He scatters the thoughts of the proud, and puts down from their seats the mighty; but He exalts the humble. He fills those who hunger for justice with good things, but those who think themselves rich He sends away empty. He receives all true Israelites, and performs in them the promises which He gave to the fathers. This hymn is repeated by the Church every day at Vespers, in praise of the work of redemption, begun by the incarnation of the Son of God in Mary. Would that every Christian, since he becomes one only by Christ being, as it were, born in him, might share those feelings which the Blessed Virgin and Mother has expressed in this hymn of praise, and, with the Church, daily praise God for the mystery of the incarnation! Aspiration O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, Who didst descend from the highest heavens io the womb of the Virgin Mary, didst therein rest for rune months, and with her didst condescend to visit and sanctify Saint John, grant that we, by the practice of good works, particularly of humility, may become partakers of the fruits of Thy incarnation. --Goffine's Devout Instructions Posted by Steve Smith at 5/30/2013 09:53:00 PM No comments: Labels: Feast, Goffines Devout Instructions, Mother of God, Our Lady, Saints Joachim and Anne, The Blessed Virgin Mary, The Holy Mother, Visitation I am 60 years old, single, and live in the mountains of western NC. I am a Catholic convert, and a blogger with over 20 blogs. My main blog is "Faith of the Fathers", and the most popular blog is "Saint Quote of the Day". My newest blog is "The Gaited Horse Blog". Sunday, April 07, 2013 Feast of the Annuciation of the Lord (From Goffine's Devout Instructions) April 8 This feast is so called from the announcement to the Blessed Virgin, by the archangel Gabriel, that she was to be the mother of the Messias. In the Introit of the Mass the Church refers to this high dignity of Mary's: "All the rich shall entreat thy countenance; after her shall virgins be brought to the King; her neighbors shall be brought to thee in gladness and rejoicing. My heart hath uttered a good word, I speak my works to the King." Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Prayer O God, Who didst please that Thy Word should take flesh, at the message of an angel, in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, grant to Thy suppliants that we, who believe her to be truly the Mother of God, may be blessed by her intercession with Thee. Through Christ our Lord, Amen. Epistle: Isaias 7:10-15 In those days the Lord spoke to Achaz, saying: Ask thee a sign of the Lord thy God, either unto the depth of hell, or unto the height above. And Achaz said: I will not ask, and I will not tempt the Lord. And he said: Hear ye therefore, O house of David: Is it a small thing for you to be grievous to men, that you are grievous to my God also? Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign. Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and His name shall be called Emmanuel. He shall eat butter and honey, that He may know to refuse the evil and to choose the good. Instruction on the "Angelic Salutation" or "Hail Mary" - Why is this prayer called the "Hail Mary" or "Angelic Salutation"? - Because it begins with the words which the archangel Gabriel addressed to the Blessed Virgin when he announced to her that she should be the Mother of God. - Of what does the Angelic Salutation consist? Of the words of the archangel Gabriel. Of the words of Saint Elizabeth. Of words which have been added thereto by the Catholic Church. - Which are the words of the archangel Gabriel? - "Hail [Mary], full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women." - What is the meaning of these words? - The words "Hail Mary" indicate that profound veneration for the Blessed Virgin which was felt by the archangel Gabriel, and which we, in imitation of his example, ought also to cherish. The words "full of grace" remind us that God bestowed upon the Blessed Virgin greater graces than upon all men and angels together, and that not for herself alone, but for us also; they therefore encourage us to pray to Mary with fervor and confidence, that by her powerful intercession she will obtain for us the graces necessary for our salvation. "The Lord is with thee" - these words express the peculiar complacency with which God has regarded her, on account of which He wrought in her special miracles of wisdom, omnipotence, and benignity. Let us rejoice with Mary over these prerogatives, and implore her to intercede for us, that God may be with us also, to sustain us by His almightiness, to govern us by His wisdom, to incite us to all that is good by the fire of His infinite love. Finally, the words "Blessed art thou among women" are as much as to say: Thou art the happiest of all women, since thou alone of them all hast no stain of sin on thee; thou art chosen to be the Mother of God; thou shalt conceive Him by the Holy Ghost, and shalt bring Him forth without losing thy virginity. Thus it was that the angel saluted the most blessed Virgin, and yet there are men who are ashamed thus to salute Mary, and to give praise for the graces which God conferred upon her. - Which are the words of Elizabeth, and what do they mean? - "And blessed is the fruit of thy womb" - the word blessed is equivalent to praised. In saying these words, therefore, we desire that the fruit of Mary's womb, Jesus, may be worshipped and praised by all men. - Which are the words which the Catholic Church has added? - To the words "Blessed is the fruit of thy womb" she has added "Jesus," in order thereby to explain them, and to indicate that this prayer is to be offered in the name of Jesus. Thereupon follow the words, "Holy Mary, Mother of G6d" pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death. Amen." - What do these words mean? - With the words, "Holy Mary," we apply to her who is full of grace as our intercessor, and thereby are reminded to strive to imitate her holiness, if we would be sure of her intercession, and of being heard before God. We call her" Mother of God," because she brought forth Jesus, the Son-of God. Thereby we at the same time remind her that she is our mother also, and pray her to care for us as a mother j not as though we believed she could of herself help us, but with the design that she should offer to God her all-prevailing prayers for us j hence we sa.y, " Pray for us,;' adding, "sinners." By these words we remind Mary of our misery, al!d ourselves of our powerlessness for good, and of our guilti~ess in the sight of God, praying her to procure for us the grace of God to do true penance, to acquire virtues, and to gain true peace, and that" now," inasmuch as at every moment, and throughout our whole life, we have so many dangers to meet, so many virtues to gain; "and at the hour of our death," that we may overcome the temptations of the last de cisive hour, and stand complete victors before the throne of th~ etewal Judge. "Amen," so may it be, is, as it were, to repeat and make stronger the whole prayer. Gospel: Luke 1:26-38 At that time the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace: the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. Who having heard, was troubled at his saying, and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said to her: Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God. Behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of David His father; and He shall reign in the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there shall be no end. And Mary said to the angel: How shall this be done, because I know not man? And the angel answering, said to her: The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also the Holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And behold thy cousin Elizabeth, she also hath conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her that is called barren; because no word shall be impossible with God. And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word. Salutation to the Most Blessed Virgin Mary Hail, Mary, full of grace! I rejoice, and give joy to thee, that thou hast been chosen the Mother of the Most High, and the queen of heaven and earth. With thee is the Father Who begot, from all eternity, Him Whom thou didst bring forth as God-man in time; with thee is the Son, Whom thou didst bear, in thy virginal womb; with thee is the Holy Ghost, overshadowed by Whose power thou didst become the Mother of the Redeemer of the world. Praised, therefore, be thou, thou blessed among women; thou daughter of the Most High; thou bride of the Holy Ghost; thou joy of heaven; thou ornament of the Church of God; thou honor of Christians. Oh, pray God for us, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. --Goffine's Devout Instructions Posted by Steve Smith at 4/07/2013 08:39:00 PM No comments: I am 60 years old, single, and live in the mountains of western NC. I am a Catholic convert, and a blogger with over 20 blogs. My main blog is "Faith of the Fathers", and the most popular blog is "Saint Quote of the Day". My newest blog is "The Gaited Horse Blog". Thursday, December 06, 2012 Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (From Goffine's Devout Instructions) December 8On this and the following eight days the Church celebrates, with particular solemnity, the immaculate conception of the ever-blessed Virgin Mary, who, from all eternity, was chosen to be the daughter of the heavenly Father, the spouse of the Holy Ghost, the Mother of the divine Redeemer, and, by consequence, the queen of angels and of men. The consideration of these prerogatives convinced the most enlightened fathers and teachers of the Catholic Church that she was conceived immaculate, that is, without original sin. It is very remarkable that among the shining hosts of saints who have, in every century, adorned the Church no one wrote against this belief, while we find it confirmed by the decisions of the holy fathers from the earliest times. Pope Pius IX, forced, as it were, by the faith and devotion of the faithful throughout the world, finally, on 8 December 1854, sanctioned, as a dogma of faith falling within the infallible rule of Catholic traditions, this admirable prerogative of the Blessed Virgin. It is, therefore, now no longer, as fomerly, a pious belief, but an article of the faith, that Mary, like the purest morning light which precedes the rising of the most brilliant sun, was, from the first instant of her conception, free from original sin. In the Introit of the Mass the Church sings: "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, and my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, and with the robe of justice He hath covered me, as a bride adorned with her jewels. I will extol thee, O Lord, for Thou hast upheld me: and hast not made my enemies to rejoice over me." Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and forever shall be, world without end. Amen. PrayerWe beseech Thee, O Lord, to bestow on Thy servants the gift of heavenly grace, that, for those to whom the Blessed Virgin's maternity was the beginning of salvation, the votive solemnity of her immaculate conception may procure increase of peace. Through Christ our Lord, etc. Amen. Epistle: Proverbs 8:22-35The Lord possessed Me in the beginning of His ways, before He made anything from the beginning. I was set up from eternity, and of old before the earth was made. The depths were not as yet, and I was already conceived, neither had the fountains of waters as yet sprung out: the mountains with their huge bulk had not as yet been established: before the hills I was brought forth: He had not yet made the earth, nor the rivers, nor the poles of the world. When He prepared the heavens, I was present: when with a certain law and compass He enclosed the depths: when He established the sky above, and poised the fountains of waters: when He compassed the sea with its bounds, and set a law to the waters that they should not pass their limits: when He balanced the foundations of the earth, I was with Him forming all things; and was delighted every day, playing before Him at all times; playing in the world, and My delights were to be with the children of men. Now, therefore, ye children, hear Me: Blessed are they that keep My ways. Hear instruction and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth Me, and that watcheth daily at My gates, and waiteth at the posts of My doors. He that shall find Me shall find life, and shall have salvation from the Lord. ExplanationThis lesson is, in the literal sense, a eulogy on the divine and uncreated wisdom, which before all things was in God; through which all things were made, disposed, and preserved; which rejoices in its works, and calls upon all its creatures, especially on men, to render to it love and obedience. Most of what is here said is also to be applied to Mary, of whom it may with truth be said that, as the holiest and most admirable of all creatures, she occupies the first place in the heart of God. Therefore the Church also refers to her those words of the wise man: "I came out of the mouth of the Most High, the first born of all creatures." Gospel: Luke 1:26-28And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace; the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women.--Goffine's Devout Instructions Posted by Steve Smith at 12/06/2012 06:57:00 PM No comments: Labels: Feast, Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Solemnity, The Blessed Virgin Mary, The Holy Mother I am 60 years old, single, and live in the mountains of western NC. I am a Catholic convert, and a blogger with over 20 blogs. My main blog is "Faith of the Fathers", and the most popular blog is "Saint Quote of the Day". My newest blog is "The Gaited Horse Blog". Saturday, September 08, 2012 Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (From Goffine's Devout Instructions) September 8 This feast is a commemoration of that happy and joyful day on whIch the ever-blessed vIrgin Mother of God first saw the light of day. The Church accordingly sings on this day, "Thy nativity, virgin Mother of God, has brought joy to the whole world; for from thee has come forth the Sun of justice, Christ the Lord, Who putting away cursing bestowed blessing, and by overcoming death obtained for us life eternal." In the Introit of the Mass the Church sings: "Hail, holy parent, who as a happy mother brought forth the King Who rules heaven and earth from eternity to eternity. My heart hath uttered a good word; I speak my works to the King." Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Prayer Vouchsafe, O Lord, we beseech Thee, unto us Thy servants the gift of Thy heavenly grace, that, as in the childbirth of the Blessed Virgin our salvation began, so from the votive solemnity of her nativity we may obtain an increase of peace. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen. Epistle: Proverbs 8:22-35 The Lord possessed Me in the beginning of His ways, before He made anything from the beginning. I was set up from eternity, and of old before the earth was made. The depths were not as yet, and I was already conceived, neither had the fountains of waters as yet sprung out: the mountains with their huge bulk had not as yet been established: before the hills I was brought forth: He had not yet made the earth, nor the rivers, nor the poles of the world. When He prepared the heavens, I was present: when with a certain law and compass He enclosed the depths: when He established the sky above, and poised the fountains of waters: when He compassed the sea with its bounds, and set a law to the waters that they should not pass their limits: when He balanced the foundations of the earth, I was with Him forming all things; and was delighted every day, playing before Him at all times; playing in the world, and My delights were to be with the children of men. Now, therefore, ye children, hear Me: Blessed are they that keep My ways. Hear instruction and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth Me, and that watcheth daily at My gates, and waiteth at the posts of My doors. He that shall find Me shall find life, and shall have salvation from the Lord. Gospel: Matthew 1:1-18 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham begot Isaac. And Isaac begot Jacob. And Jacob, begot Judas and his brethren. And Judas begot Phares and Zara of Thamar. And Phares begot Esron. And Esron begot Aram. And Aram begot Aminadab. And Aminadab begot Naasson. And Nasson begot Salmon. And Salmon begot Booz of Rahab. And Booz begot Obed of Ruth. And Obed begot Jesse. And Jesse begot David the king. And David the king begot Solomon, of her that had been the wife of Unag. And Solomon begot Roboam. And Roboam begot Abias. And Abias begot Asa. And Asa begot Josaphat. And Josaphat begot Joram. And Joram begot Ozias. And Ozias begot Joatham. And Joatham begot Achaz. And Achaz begot Ezechias. And Ezechias begot Manasses. And Manasses begot Amon. And Amon begot Josias. And Josias begot Jechonias and his brethren in the transmigration of Babylon. And after the transmigration of Babylon, Jechonias begot Salathiel. And Salathiel begot Zorobabel. And Zorobabel begot Abiud. And Abiud begot Eliacim. And Eliacim begot Azor. And Azor begot Sadoc. And Sadoc begot Achim. And Achim begot Eliud. And Eliud begot Eleazar. And Eleazar begot Mathan. And Mathan begot Jacob. And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. Let us honor Mary, especially by imitation of those virtues of hers which are to us, as Saint John Damascene says, an open book of instruction; let us rejoice in her prerogatives and glory; let us encourage others in the veneration of her; let us, in our need, have recourse to her, who, according to the name Star of the Sea with which the Church salutes her, shines for all who sail upon the dangerous sea of the world. For this reason Saint Bernard calls out to each one of us, "Take not your eyes from the light of this star if you would not be overwhelmed by the waves; if the storms of temptation arise, if you are thrown upon the rocks of affliction, look to the star, invoke Mary. Are you confounded at the enormity of your sins, are you ashamed at the defilement of your conscience, are you terrified on account of the dreadful judgment, so that you begin to be overpowered by sadness, or even to sink into the abyss of despair, then turn your thoughts to Mary. In dangers, in distress, in doubt, call on Mary. She will not be far from your mouth, or your heart; and that you may obtain her intercession omit not to imitate her conduct. When you follow her, you will not go astray; when you invoke her, you will no longer be in doubt; when she supports yon, yon will not fall; when she leads you, you will surely come to eternal life, and will find by your own experience that she is justly called Maria - that is, Star of the Sea." -- Goffine's Devout Instruction Posted by Steve Smith at 9/08/2012 12:07:00 AM No comments: Labels: Feast, Goffines Devout Instructions, Mother of God, Our Lady, The Blessed Virgin Mary, The Holy Mother I am 60 years old, single, and live in the mountains of western NC. I am a Catholic convert, and a blogger with over 20 blogs. My main blog is "Faith of the Fathers", and the most popular blog is "Saint Quote of the Day". My newest blog is "The Gaited Horse Blog". Tuesday, August 14, 2012 Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (From Goffine's Devout Instruction) August 15 In the Introit of the Mass the Church invites us to universal joy by singing, Prayer Pardon, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the sins of Thy servants, that we, who are not able to please Thee by our deeds, may be saved by the intercession of the Mother of Thy Son. Who livest, and reignest, for ever and ever. Amen. Epistle: Ecclesiasticus 24:11-20 In all things I sought rest, and I shall abide in the inheritance of the Lord. Then the Creator of all things commanded, and said to me: and He that made me rested in my tabernacle. And He said to me: Let thy dwelling be in Jacob, and thy inheritance in Israel, and take root in My elect. From the beginning, and before the world, was I created, and unto the world to come I shall not cease to be, and in the holy dwelling-place I have ministered before Him. And so was I established in Sion, and in the holy city likewise I rested, and my power was in Jerusalem. And I took root in an honorable people, and in the portion of my God His inheritance, and my abode is in the full assembly of saints. I was exalted like a cedar in Libanus, and as a cypress-tree on Mount Sion. I was exalted like a palm-tree in Cades, and as a rose-plant in Jericho; as a fair olive tree in the plains, and as a plane-tree by the water in the streets, was I exalted. I gave a sweet smell like cinnamon, and aromatical balm; I yielded a sweet odor like the best myrrh. Gospel: Luke 10:38-42 At that time Jesus entered into a certain town: and a certain woman named Martha received Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sitting also at the Lord’s feet, heard His word. But Martha was busy about much serving. Who stood and said: Lord, hast Thou no care that my sister hath left me alone to serve? speak to her therefore, that she help me. And the Lord answering, said to her: Martha, Martha, thou art careful, and art troubled about many things. But one thing is necessary. Mary hath chosen the best part, which shall not be taken away from her. Why does the Church read this gospel to-day? Because it readily admits of being applied to Mary, the Mother of God, since she, far more worthily and lovingly than Martha, chose the best part, and thereby obtained the most glorious reward, which no one shall ever take from her. What is the one thing necessary? The glory of God and the salvation of the soul. Let a man, therefore, fulfil the duties which are binding upon him; but in so doing let him look only to God, avoid all uneasiness and distraction, all extravagance and excess, all that is unjust, and sooner sacrifice everything than suffer injury to his soul. --Goffine's Devout Instructions In the Introit of the Mass the Church invites us to universal joy by singing, “Let us all rejoice in the Lord, celebrating this festival in honor of the most blessed Virgin Mary, on whose assumption into heaven the angels rejoice and give praise to the Son of God. My heart hath uttered a good word; I speak my works to the King.” Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Prayer Pardon, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the sins of Thy servants, that we, who are not able to please Thee by our deeds, may be saved by the intercession of the Mother of Thy Son. Who livest, and reignest, for ever and ever. Amen. Epistle: Ecclesiasticus 24:11-20 In all things I sought rest, and I shall abide in the inheritance of the Lord. Then the Creator of all things commanded, and said to me: and He that made me rested in my tabernacle. And He said to me: Let thy dwelling be in Jacob, and thy inheritance in Israel, and take root in My elect. From the beginning, and before the world, was I created, and unto the world to come I shall not cease to be, and in the holy dwelling-place I have ministered before Him. And so was I established in Sion, and in the holy city likewise I rested, and my power was in Jerusalem. And I took root in an honorable people, and in the portion of my God His inheritance, and my abode is in the full assembly of saints. I was exalted like a cedar in Libanus, and as a cypress-tree on Mount Sion. I was exalted like a palm-tree in Cades, and as a rose-plant in Jericho; as a fair olive tree in the plains, and as a plane-tree by the water in the streets, was I exalted. I gave a sweet smell like cinnamon, and aromatical balm; I yielded a sweet odor like the best myrrh. Gospel: Luke 10:38-42 At that time Jesus entered into a certain town: and a certain woman named Martha received Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sitting also at the Lord’s feet, heard His word. But Martha was busy about much serving. Who stood and said: Lord, hast Thou no care that my sister hath left me alone to serve? speak to her therefore, that she help me. And the Lord answering, said to her: Martha, Martha, thou art careful, and art troubled about many things. But one thing is necessary. Mary hath chosen the best part, which shall not be taken away from her. Why does the Church read this gospel to-day? Because it readily admits of being applied to Mary, the Mother of God, since she, far more worthily and lovingly than Martha, chose the best part, and thereby obtained the most glorious reward, which no one shall ever take from her. What is the one thing necessary? The glory of God and the salvation of the soul. Let a man, therefore, fulfil the duties which are binding upon him; but in so doing let him look only to God, avoid all uneasiness and distraction, all extravagance and excess, all that is unjust, and sooner sacrifice everything than suffer injury to his soul. --Goffine's Devout Instructions Posted by Steve Smith at 8/14/2012 08:59:00 PM Labels: Assumption, Feast, Goffines Devout Instructions, Our Lady, Solemnity, The Blessed Virgin Mary, The Holy Mother I am 60 years old, single, and live in the mountains of western NC. I am a Catholic convert, and a blogger with over 20 blogs. My main blog is "Faith of the Fathers", and the most popular blog is "Saint Quote of the Day". My newest blog is "The Gaited Horse Blog". Wednesday, May 30, 2012 The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (From Goffine's Devout Instruction) May 31 This day is called the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary because on it Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth, whom, as the angel had told her, God had blessed with a son in her old age. In the Introit of the Mass the Church sings: "Hail, holy parent, who didst bring trth the King Who rules heaven and earth forever. My heart hath uttered a good word; I speak of my works for the King." Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Prayer Epistle: Canticle 2:8-14 Gospel: Luke 1:39-47 Explanation of the Canticle "Magnificat," Or "My Soul Doth Magnify The Lord" Aspiration --Goffine's Devout Instructions In the Introit of the Mass the Church sings: "Hail, holy parent, who didst bring trth the King Who rules heaven and earth forever. My heart hath uttered a good word; I speak of my works for the King." Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Prayer Vouchsafe, O Lord, we beseech Thee, unto us Thy servants the gift of Thy heavenly grace, that, as in the childbirth of the Blessed Virgin our salvation began, so from the votive solemnity of her visitation we may obtain an increase of peace. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, etc. Amen. Epistle: Canticle 2:8-14 Behold he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping over the hills. My beloved is like a roe or a young hart; behold he standeth behind our wall, looking through the windows, looking through the lattices. Behold my beloved speaketh to me: Arise, make haste, my love, my dove, my beautiful one, and come. For winter is now past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers have appeared in our land, the tune of pruning is come; the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; the fig-tree hath put forth her green figs; the vines in flower yield their sweet smell. Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come; my dove in the clifts of the rock, in the hollow places of the wall, show me thy face, let thy voice sound in my ears; for thy. voice is sweet, and thy face comely. Gospel: Luke 1:39-47 At that time: Mary rising up went unto the hill-country with haste, into a city of Juda; and she entered into the house of Zachary, and saluted Elizabeth. And it came to pass, that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost; and she cried out with a loud voice and said: Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the Mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed art thou that hast believed, because those things shall be accomplished that were spoken to thee by the Lord. And Mary saId: My soul doth magnify the Lord; and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. As soon as Mary heard that Elizabeth was with child she hastened to her. The alacrity of the Blessed Virgin teaches us that we should take part with gladness in the happiness of our fellow-men, and quickly make ourselves ready to discharge our duties, sacrificing for that object, if necessary, even our own much-loved retirement, our devotions and other exercises of piety. Mary visited her cousin out of real love, not out of unmeaning ceremony. Would that her example were followed in our visits! By the visit of the Blessed Virgin John was sanctified in his mother's womb, and Elizabeth, enlightened by the Holy Ghost, knew, by the miraculous movements of her child, that Mary was the Mother of the Lord. Such effects did this visit produce. What would Jesus effect in us if we received Him with due preparation! Explanation of the Canticle "Magnificat," Or "My Soul Doth Magnify The Lord" In this hymn Mary with joy praises God, the Lord, that He has regarded her humility, aud made her to be the Mother of His only-begotten Son, wherefore she should be called blessed by all generations; and she declares the truths and mysteries which the incarnation brought to light. The mercy of God, namely, reaches from generation to generation to them that fear Him. He scatters the thoughts of the proud, and puts down from their seats the mighty; but He exalts the humble. He fills those who hunger for justice with good things, but those who think themselves rich He sends away empty. He receives all true Israelites, and performs in them the promises which He gave to the fathers. This hymn is repeated by the Church every day at Vespers, in praise of the work of redemption, begun by the incarnation of the Son of God in Mary. Would that every Christian, since he becomes one only by Christ being, as it were, born in him, might share those feelings which the Blessed Virgin and Mother has expressed in this hymn of praise, and, with the Church, daily praise God for the mystery of the incarnation! Aspiration O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, Who didst descend from the highest heavens io the womb of the Virgin Mary, didst therein rest for rune months, and with her didst condescend to visit and sanctify Saint John, grant that we, by the practice of good works, particularly of humility, may become partakers of the fruits of Thy incarnation. --Goffine's Devout Instructions Posted by Steve Smith at 5/30/2012 08:15:00 PM No comments: Labels: Feast, Goffines Devout Instructions, Our Lady, The Blessed Virgin Mary, The Holy Mother, Visitation I am 60 years old, single, and live in the mountains of western NC. I am a Catholic convert, and a blogger with over 20 blogs. My main blog is "Faith of the Fathers", and the most popular blog is "Saint Quote of the Day". My newest blog is "The Gaited Horse Blog". Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)
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(Bdijenje uoči Gospe od Anđela, 1. kolovoza 2010.) Pripremio: Fra Kristian Stipanović Dok predsjedatelj izlaže Presveti Oltarski Sakrament, pjeva se pjesma: Oče, mi ti se klanjamo. Predsjedatelj: U ime Oca i Sina i Duha Svetoga. Amen! Gospodine Isuse, promatrajući večeras tvoje euharistijsko otajstvo, osnaženi smo u vjeri da si bio i ostaješ vjeran obećanju danom svojim apostolima da ćeš ostati s nama do konca svijeta. Da, ti si s nama, s nama si svaki dan. Pripadaju ti vrijeme i povijest svijeta i svakoga od nas - prožeti smo tvojom ljubavlju. Vjerujemo u tvoju božansku prisutnost pod poniznim znakom posvećenog Kruha i zahvaljujemo ti iz dubine srca. Ti si s nama! Ništa i nitko ne može nas otrgnuti od ove sigurnosti, koja nas otvara za nadu unatoč mnogim poteškoćama koje smućuju naše srce i opterećuju naš život. Ti si svijetlo koje pobjeđuje tmine zablude i laži. Ti si oganj koji otapa led samoljublja i mržnje. Ti si stijena koja učvršćuje naše dobre odluke. Ti si utjeha koja tiša naše tjeskobe i strahove. Ti si Svemogući Bog, koji nas stvaraš, opraštaš nam i spašavaš nas. Budi prisutan, Gospodine, u srcu svakoga od nas. Budi najželjeniji i najdraži gost, budi suputnik koji nas prati na putu života, budi prijatelj koji s nama dijeli svaku bol i svaku radost, budi najveće dobro i smisao našeg života, budi cilj svake naše, pa i najsmionije čežnje, budi kruna svakog našeg napora na tegobnom životnom putovanju. Kratko klanjanje u šutnji (oko 1 min). Zatim predsjedatelj pozove vjernike da zauzmu stav tijela (klečanje, sjedenje, stajanje) koji im najbolje odgovara za molitvu. Predsjedatelj: Ovo naše večerašnje bdijenje, Gospodine, plod je naše želje da budemo u svemu poslušni tvojoj riječi. Ti si nam, naime, rekao… Čitač 1: Iz Evanđelja po Luki „Neka vam bokovi budu opasani i svjetiljke upaljene, a vi slični ljudima što čekaju gospodara kad se vraća sa svadbe da mu odmah otvore čim stigne i pokuca. Blago onim slugama koje gospodar, kada dođe, nađe budne! Zaista, kažem vam, pripasat će se, posaditi ih za stol pa će pristupiti i posluživati ih. Pa dođe li o drugoj ili o trećoj straži i nađe ih tako, blago njima! A ovo znajte: kad bi domaćin znao u koji čas kradljivac dolazi, ne bi dao prokopati kuće. I vi budite pripravni jer u čas kad i ne mislite Sin Čovječji dolazi.“ (Lk 12, 35-40) Predsjedatelj: Gospodine, sve svoje učenike zoveš na budnost, da uvijek budemo spremni za tvoj dolazak. Uspoređuješ sebe s gospodarom koji se vraća sa svadbe. Sluge ne znaju kad će on doći kući. Možda se zadrži dugo na slavlju, možda dođe vrlo brzo. Kraj uvijek može nastupiti i zato valja biti budan, spreman. Da, mi smo kao sluge kojima si povjerio brigu za ovaj svijet. Ali, Gospodine, večeras želim promatrati svoj život kao imanje koje si mi povjerio. Ti si Stvoritelj, ti si Gospodar, koji si mi dao život. Život je dar koji ne smijem prospavati ni prokockati. Želim biti budni sluga koji služi čitavim svojim bićem tebi, svome Stvoritelju. Nadalje, svoj dolazak uspoređuješ s kradljivcem koji želi provaliti u kuću. Nitko od ljudi ne očekuje krađu, a kamoli da zna kad će kradljivac pokušati počiniti zločin. Gospodine, ti me ne želiš ukrasti. Ti me želiš primiti, ti želiš da ti se u svojoj slobodi izručim, da se predam u tvoje ruke. To činim večeras u ovom bdijenju. Izručujem ti čitavog sebe, čitavo svoje biće, svoje misli, riječi i djela, svoju pamet i srce, svoj duh i tijelo. Uzmi me, Gospodine, i vodi me ovim svijetom. Čitač 2: Gospodine Isuse, Ti si svjetlost Očeva i otkrivaš se onome koji te znade čekati bdijući. Oživljuj našu nadu u noći svijeta sve dok ne svane zora tvoga dolaska. Ne dopusti da se uspavamo, ne primjećujući više tvoje dolaske u ovaj naš svijet. Pomozi nam da svjetiljka vjere koju si upalio na dan našega krštenja uvijek svijetli. Puni je uljem ljubavi i svakodnevne vjernosti. Hodit ćemo u njezinoj svjetlosti sve dok ne prijeđemo vrata tvoje svadbene dvorane. PJESMA: Gospodine, ti si pastir moj Predsjedatelj: Braćo i sestre, večeras pred Gospodinom u Oltarskom Sakramentu bdijemo uoči svetkovine Njegove majke i naše nebeske zaštitnice Gospe od Anđela. Bdijenje je podijeljeno u dvije veće cjeline u kojima ćemo razmatrati molitvu koju tako često molimo, a to je molitva Zdravo, Marijo. Prije nego što prijeđemo na prvi dio bdijenja, čujmo kako je Blaženu Djevicu Mariju pozdravljao sveti naš otac Franjo. Čitač 2: Zdravo Gospodarice, sveta Kraljice, Bogorodice Marijo, ti si djevica koja si postala crkvom i izabrana od presvetog Oca na nebu da te posveti s presvetim Sinom svojim i Duhom Svetim Utješiteljem. U tebi je bila i jest sva punina milosti i svako dobro. Zdravo, palačo njegova, zdravo, njegovo svetohranište, zdravo kućo njegova! Zdravo, odjećo njegova, zdravo, njegova službenice, zdravo, Majko njegova, i sve vi, o svete kreposti, koje se po milosti i rasvjetljenju Duha Svetoga ulijevate u srca vjernika da Bogu od nevjernika napravite vjernika. Predsjedatelj: Pišući zajednici kršćana u Rimu, sv. Pavao napisa sljedeće riječi: Čitač 1: Iz poslanice Rimljanima: „U nadi smo spašeni! Nada pak koja se vidi nije nada. Jer što tko gleda, kako da se tomu i nada? Nadamo li se pak onomu čega ne gledamo, postojano to iščekujemo. Tako i Duh potpomaže našu nemoć. Doista ne znamo što da molimo kako valja, ali se sam Duh za nas zauzima neizrecivim uzdasima. A Onaj koji proniče srca zna koja je želja Duha - da se on po Božju zauzima za svete. Znamo pak da Bog u svemu na dobro surađuje s onima koji ga ljube, s onima koji su odlukom njegovom pozvani. Jer koje predvidje, te i predodredi da budu suobličeni slici Sina njegova te da on bude prvorođenac među mnogom braćom. Koje pak predodredi, te i pozva; koje pozva, te i opravda; koje opravda, te i proslavi.“ (Rim 8, 24-30) Predsjedatelj: Sve je u našem životu plod suradnje Božje milosti i nas. Tako je i s molitvom, tako je i s ovim našim večerašnjim bdijenjem. Ne znamo što ni kako moliti, ne znamo što ni kako razmatrati. Zato se prije razmatranja obratimo Gospodinu da nam dade svoga Svetoga Duha da nas on vodi u ovom našem večerašnjem slavlju. Zapjevajmo pjesmu: Daj nam svima Duha svog. ZDRAVO, MARIJO Predsjedatelj: Molitva Zdravo, Marijo sastoji se, kako nam je svima poznato, od dva dijela. Kad god molimo zajednički tu molitvu, jasno se razlikuju ta dva dijela. Prvi je dio sastavljen od svetopisamskih riječi koje su Mariji uputili anđeo Gabrijel i njezina rodica Elizabeta. Najprije ćemo čuti evanđeoski izvještaj o susretu Božjeg poslanika i mlade nazaretske djevojke. Čitač 1: Iz Evanđelja po Luki: U šestome mjesecu posla Bog anđela Gabriela u galilejski grad imenom Nazaret k djevici zaručenoj s mužem koji se zvao Josip iz doma Davidova; a djevica se zvala Marija. Anđeo uđe k njoj i reče: “Zdravo, milosti puna! Gospodin s tobom!” Na tu se riječ ona smete i stade razmišljati kakav bi to bio pozdrav. No anđeo joj reče: “Ne boj se, Marijo! Ta našla si milost u Boga. Evo, začet ćeš i roditi sina i nadjenut ćeš mu ime Isus. On će biti velik i zvat će se Sin Svevišnjega. Njemu će Gospodin Bog dati prijestolje Davida, oca njegova, i kraljevat će nad domom Jakovljevim uvijeke i njegovu kraljevstvu neće biti kraja.” Nato će Marija anđelu: “Kako će to biti kad ja muža ne poznajem?” Anđeo joj odgovori: “Duh Sveti sići će na te i sila će te Svevišnjega osjeniti. Zato će to čedo i biti sveto, Sin Božji. A evo tvoje rođakinje Elizabete: i ona u starosti svojoj zače sina. I njoj, nerotkinjom prozvanoj, ovo je već šesti mjesec. Ta Bogu ništa nije nemoguće!” Nato Marija reče: “Evo službenice Gospodnje, neka mi bude po tvojoj riječi!” I anđeo otiđe od nje. Predsjedatelj: Prvi dio molitve Zdravo, Marijo pozdrav je koji je Mariji uputio anđeo Gabrijel: Zdravo, milosti puna! Gospodin s tobom! Doslovno anđeo kaže: Raduj se! Ovaj pozdrav početak je ostvarivanja i uprisutnjenja Božje Radosne vijesti u ljudsku povijest. Utjelovljenje Sina Božjega istinska je radosna vijest i za Mariju i za cijelo čovječanstvo. Marija je puna milosti. Taj izraz povezan je s pozdravom koji slijedi: Gospodin s tobom! To je bio uobičajeni pozdrav u židovskom narodu. Međutim, ovdje je on više od običnog vjerničkog pozdrava. Nad Marijom se Bog raduje, ona je osoba Božje naklonosti i milosti. Pomoću Marije kao milosti pune počinje se ostvarivati u ljudskoj povijesti Božji plan spasenja. Milost označuje nezasluženi dar Božji, dar Mariji i svim ljudima svih vremena. Taj je dar Sin Božji, Isus Krist. Sada ćemo ustati i zajednički izmoliti Anđeo Gospodnji, podsjećajući se na događaj navještenja i Bogu zahvaljujući za obilje milosti darovane po Mariji, svojoj službenici. Predmolitelj moli navedenu molitvu, nakon čega se pjeva pjesma: Isus – najljepše ime. Čitač 1: Iz Evanđelja po Luki Tih dana usta Marija i pohiti u Gorje, u grad Judin. Uđe u Zaharijinu kuću i pozdravi Elizabetu. Čim Elizabeta začu Marijin pozdrav, zaigra joj čedo u utrobi. I napuni se Elizabeta Duha Svetoga i povika iz svega glasa: “Blagoslovljena ti među ženama i blagoslovljen plod utrobe tvoje! Ta otkuda meni da mi dođe majka Gospodina mojega? Gledaj samo! Tek što mi do ušiju doprije glas pozdrava tvojega, zaigra mi od radosti čedo u utrobi. Blažena ti što povjerova da će se ispuniti što ti je rečeno od Gospodina!” Predsjedatelj: Susret Marije i Elizabete susret je iz kojega vjernik može i mora mnogo naučiti za svoj život. To je susret koji zrači, susret pun vedrine i radosti zbog života koji dvije žene nose u svojoj utrobi. Biti otvoren životu, radovati se svakom životu, radovati se svakom začetom djetetu – tako kršćanin razmišlja i djeluje. Što je još važnije, u ovom susretu riječi koje se izgovaraju riječi su blagoslova. Elizabeta blagoslivlje Mariju i njezino dijete. Na to je i kršćanin pozvan – zazivati Božji blagoslov na svoje bližnje, na članove svoje obitelji, na svoje prijatelje, susjede, suradnike, čak i na svoje neprijatelje. Na žalost, priznati nam je da je malo blagoslova na našim usnama. Češće se čuje Đavao, negoli Bog u našoj sredini. Spominjući Zloga i predajući svoje bližnje njemu, samo jačamo silu zla u našem životu i životu naših bližnjih. Važne su naše riječi, riječi koje izgovaramo Bogu, sebi i svojim bližnjima. Na Marijin odgovor anđelu „Evo službenice Gospodnje, neka mi bude po riječi tvojoj!“ Sin je Božji postao čovjekom. I Elizabeta i Marija žene su od dobre riječi, riječi poslušnosti Bogu i predanju u njegove ruke, riječi blagoslova Božjega za sebe i za svoje bližnje. PJESMA: Samo reci riječ Predsjedatelj: Sada ćemo moliti deseticu krunice u kojoj ćemo razmatrati o Anđelovu navještenju te o susretu Marije i Elizabete. Molimo Gospodina da nam po Marijinu zagovoru udijeli poslušnu vjeru i da naše riječi oslobodi od svakoga zla, a osposobi nas za blagoslov. Predmolitelj moli deseticu krunice. Predsjedatelj: Ostanimo, braćo i sestre, u sabranoj šutnji, zahvaljujući Gospodinu Isusu Kristu što je postao po Mariji čovjekom. Također mu zahvalimo za sakrament euharistije, koji je sakrament utjelovljenja, po kojem ostaje s nama do konca svijeta. Slijedi osobno klanjanje u šutnji (oko 3 min). SVETA MARIJO Predsjedatelj: Drugi dio Zdravomarije plod je vjere Crkve u Mariju kao Bogorodicu. Ta se vjera postupno oblikovala i učvršćivala u zajednici vjernika, a konačno je izražena na crkvenom saboru u Efezu 431. godine. Vjerujući da je Isus iz Nazareta Sin Božji kršćani su odmah prepoznali kao posebnu osobu njegovu majku, kojoj su se stoga već zarana počeli obraćati kao Majci Božjoj tražeći njezin zagovor i pomoć. Čitač 1: Iz Evanđelja po Ivanu Uz križ su Isusov stajale majka njegova, zatim sestra njegove majke, Marija Kleofina, i Marija Magdalena. Kad Isus vidje majku i kraj nje učenika kojega je ljubio, reče majci: “Ženo! Evo ti sina!” Zatim reče učeniku: “Evo ti majke!” I od toga časa uze je učenik k sebi. Predsjedatelj: U Mariji kršćani od prvih stoljeća prepoznaju i svoju Majku. Redovito se kao potvrda tog Marijinog majčinstva uzima upravo pročitani tekst. Isus na križu ostavlja ljubljenom učeniku Mariju za majku i od tada on postaje njezin sin, ona njegova majka. Mariju s pravom nazivamo svojom majkom. Ona je majka ne samo zato što nam ju je na križu Isus Krist ostavio za majku, nego je majka naša po samom utjelovljenju Sina Božjega. Naime, Marija je pristala da po njoj Bog postane čovjekom, Bog koji je izvor života i sam život. Isus jasno za sebe reče da je on uskrsnuće i život, da je on put, istina i život. Ističem da je Isus život. Život nije nešto što postoji uz Boga. Život je samo u Bogu i s Bogom. Stoga možemo kazati da je Marija majka Života, Života pisanog velikim slovom, tj. Isusa Krista. U litanijama ćemo joj se obratiti da je ona Majka Stvoriteljeva, Majka onoga po čijoj volji svaki od nas živi. Za Mariju se također kaže da je ona Nova Eva. Pod drvetom u raju, u edenskom vrtu Eva, što znači majka svih živih, pala je pod napašću i sagriješila. Pod drvetom križa Marija ostaje uspravna i čvrsta u vjeri u Boga Svemogućega i Dobroga, ostaje u nadi u vječni život i uskrsnuće. I zbog toga je ona naša majka. Kad god u Zdravomariji kažemo Majko Božja, u isti mah govorimo da je Marija i majka naša i zato joj se s pravom, kao njezina djeca obraćamo da zajedno s nama moli i da nam bude pomoćnica. A sada ćemo moliti dio litanija Blažene Djevice Marije. Predmolitelj: Gospodine, smiluj se Kriste, smiluj se Gospodine, smiluj se Kriste, čuj nas Kriste, usliši nas Oče nebeski, Bože smiluj se nama! Sine, Otkupitelju svijeta, Bože Duše Sveti, Bože Sveto Trojstvo, jedan Bože Sveta Marijo moli za nas! Sveta Bogorodice Sveta Djevo djevica Majko Kristova Majko Crkve Majko Božje milosti Majko prebistra Majko prečista Majko neoskvrnjena Majko nepovrijeđena Majko ljubezna Majko divna Majko dobrog savjeta Majko Stvoriteljeva Majko Spasiteljeva Djevice premudra Djevice časna Djevice hvale dostojna Djevice moguća Djevice milostiva Djevice vjerna PJESMA: Kao Marija Čitač 1: Iz Djela apostolskih Onda se vratiše u Jeruzalem s brda zvanoga Maslinsko, koje je blizu Jeruzalema, udaljeno jedan subotni hod. I pošto uđu u grad, uspnu se u gornju sobu gdje su boravili: Petar i Ivan i Jakov i Andrija, Filip i Toma, Bartolomej i Matej, Jakov Alfejev i Šimun Revnitelj i Juda Jakovljev - svi oni bijahu jednodušno postojani u molitvi sa ženama, i Marijom, majkom Isusovom, i braćom njegovom. Predsjedatelj: Nakon uzašašća Gospodinova apostoli se vraćaju u grad te iščekuju silazak Duha Svetoga, koji će ih osposobiti da svjedoče Isusovo uskrsnuće. Iščekivanje Duha događa se u molitvi. Pisac Djela apostolskih evanđelist Luka ističe da su oznake apostolske molitve jednodušnost i postojanost. Biti jedne duše – to je zadatak povjeren kršćanima svih vremena. Zajedništvo Isusovih učenika u ljubavi najjasniji je znak i najsnažnije svjedočanstvo Isusova uskrsnuća. Na Posljednjoj večeri Isus je učenicima rekao da će ih svi prepoznati kao njegove učenike ako se budu ljubili. Ljubav gradi zajedništvo, ljubav čini da mnoge duše postaju jedno, da mnogo različitih budu jedan živi organizam, a to je Crkva – Tijelo Kristovo. Zajedništvo se postiže najprije molitvom. Bolje rečeno, zajednička molitva čini grupu ljudi zajednicom, jer ih povezuje s Onim koji je izvor svakoga dobra, koji je ljubav u sebi, ljubav koja spaja i sjedinjuje u sebi. Molitva mora biti i postojana, stalna, nepokolebljiva. Koliki odustanu od molitve jer im Bog, tako oni misle i govore, ne prima i ne uslišava molitve. U molitvi valja biti ustrajan, uvijek sa sviješću da Bog zna što je najbolje za njegovu djecu. Stoga je bitni sadržaj molitve uvijek zaziv: Budi volja tvoja. Kršćanin, naime, vjeruje da je Božja volja za njega ono najbolje, ona je izvor sretnog i ispunjenog života. U tom je molitvenom zajedništvu i Marija. Ona moli s apostolima. Moli uvijek sa cijelom Crkvom, sa svim ljudima koji vjeruju u njezina Sina. Marija, Majka Sina Božjega i Majka Crkve, moli i prikazuje naše prošnje i potrebe Presvetom Trojstvu. Svjesni da je s nama u ovom bdijenju prisutna i naša nebeska Majka, obratimo joj se dalje u litanijama. Predmolitelj: Ogledalo pravde Prijestolje mudrosti Uzorče naše radosti Posudo duhovna Posudo poštovana Posudo uzorna pobožnosti Ružo otajstvena Tornju Davidov Tornju bjelokosni Kućo zlatna Škrinjo zavjetna Vrata nebeska Zvijezdo jutarnja Zdravlje bolesnih Utočište grešnika Utjeho žalosnih Pomoćnice kršćana Kraljice anđela Kraljice patrijarha Kraljice proroka Kraljice apostola Kraljice mučenika Kraljice priznavalaca Kraljice djevica Kraljice svih svetih Kraljice bez grijeha istočnoga začeta Kraljice na nebo uznesena Kraljice svete krunice Kraljice obitelji Kraljice mira Kraljice hrvatskog naroda Kraljice Franjevačkog reda Jaganjče Božji, koji oduzimaš grijehe svijeta, oprosti nam, Gospodine! Jaganjče Božji, koji oduzimaš grijehe svijeta, usliši nas, Gospodine! Jaganjče Božji, koji oduzimaš grijehe svijeta, smiluj se nama! Moli za nas, sveta Bogorodice! Da dostojni postanemo obećanja Kristovih. Pomolimo se. Dopusti nama, slugama svojim, molimo, Gospodine Bože, da se neprestano radujemo duševnom i tjelesnom zdravlju i da se slavnim zagovorom Blažene Marije vazda Djevice izbavimo od sadašnje žalosti i nauživamo vječne radosti. Po Kristu, Gospodinu našemu. Amen! PJESMA: Zdravo, Marijo Predsjedatelj: Na kraju drugog dijela ovog bdijenja molit ćemo opet deseticu krunice, razmatrajući ovom prilikom o Mariji kao o Majci Božjoj i našoj te zahvaljujući Bogu na tom velikom daru. Predmolitelj moli deseticu krunice. Predsjedatelj: Ostanimo, braćo i sestre, u sabranoj šutnji zahvaljujući Gospodinu što nam je dao Mariju za majku i što ona zajedno s nama moli i slavi Boga Svemogućega. Također zahvalimo Bogu za dar Crkve, koja je isto tako naša majka, koja nas sabire u zajedništvo svetih. Slijedi osobno klanjanje u šutnji (oko 3 min). BLAGOSLOV S PRESVETIM SAKRAMENTOM Predsjedatelj: Gospodine, Isuse Kriste, Bože naš, zahvaljujemo ti što si nas okupio u ovom bdijenju oko sebe i oko svoje i naše presvete Majke. Hvala ti što si po Mariji postao čovjekom, našim bratom. Hvala ti što si nam nju ostavio za majku i pomoćnicu. Isuse, hvala ti što si nam večeras pokazao što je cilj našega života – nebo, život vječni s Bogom i u Bogu. Isuse, to želimo svim svojim srcem. Pomozi nam da ustrajemo u hodu za tobom poput Marije da jednom zajedno s njom uživamo rajsko blaženstvo. Isuse, pjevamo tvojoj dobroti i ljubavi. PJESMA: Velik si Predsjedatelj: Isuse Kriste, dobri naš Spasitelju, na kraju ovoga bdijenja molimo te za tvoj blagoslov. Bez tebe ne možemo ništa učiniti, bez tvoje pomoći smo nemoćni i izgubljeni. Spasi nas, Gospodine, po svojoj ljubavi i daj da živimo u tvojoj milosti, radosti i miru. Blagoslovi nas i sve one s kojima živimo i koje susrećemo. Blagoslovi naše prijatelje i neprijatelje. Ti nam budi zaštita pred svim pogibeljima duše i tijela. Tvoji smo, Gospodine, sada i zauvijek. Amen. Kruh s neba dao si njima. Koji svaku slast u sebi ima. Pomolimo se. Bože koji si nam u divnom Sakramentu ostavio spomen muke svoje, daj nam tako častiti sveta otajstva Tijela i Krvi tvoje, da vazda osjećamo u sebi plod otkupljenja tvojega. Koji živiš i kraljuješ u vijeke vjekova. Amen! Slijedi blagoslov s Presvetim Sakramentom. Nakon blagoslova predsjedatelj moli pohvale Božjem imenu. Predsjedatelj: Blagoslovljen budi Bog. Blagoslovljeno njegovo sveto ime. Blagoslovljen Isus Krist, pravi Bog i pravi čovjek. Blagoslovljeno Ime Isusovo. Blagoslovljeno presveto Srce Isusovo. Blagoslovljena predragocjena Krv Isusova. Blagoslovljen Isus u presvetom Oltarskom Sakramentu. Blagoslovljen Duh Sveti Utješitelj. Blagoslovljena velika Bogorodica, presveta Djevica Marija. Blagoslovljeno sveto i bezgrešno njezino začeće. Blagoslovljeno njezino slavno uznesenje. Blagoslovljeno ime Marije, Djevice i Majke. Blagoslovljen sveti Josip, njezin prečisti Zaručnik. Blagoslovljen Bog u svojim anđelima i u svojim svetima. Amen. Dok predsjedatelj pohranjuje Presveti Sakrament, pjeva se pjesma: Moj Isus.