Pope, St Sylvester: Missa “Sacerdotes tui“ Saint Sylvester was born in Rome. When he reached the age to dispose of his fortune, he took pleasure in giving hospitality to Christians passing through the city. He would take them with him, wash their feet, serve them at table, and in sum give them in the name of…
Month: December 2016
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity of Our Lord
[Transferred] Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity of Our Lord: Missa “Dum médium siléntium” Due to the feast of the Circumcision of Our Lord falling this Sunday, this Mass is transferred to today. This is the only day within the Christmas Octave which is not a Saint’s Feast. During the Octaves of the Epiphany, Easter and…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; St Thomas a Becket of Canterbury, Martyr
St Thomas a Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury and Martyr; Within the Octave of the Nativity: Missa “Gaudeámus omnes” Saint Thomas a Becket, son of an English nobleman, Gilbert Becket, was born on the day consecrated to the memory of Saint Thomas the Apostle, December 21, 1117, in Southwark, England. He was endowed by both nature and grace…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; Feast of the Holy Innocents
Feast of the Holy Innocents: Missa “Ex ore infántium” The wily king Herod, who was reigning in Judea at the time of the birth of Our Savior, learned from three Wise Men from the East that they had come to Jerusalem, advised by a star in the Heavens, in search of the newborn King of the…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; St John the Evangelist, Apostle
St John the Evangelist, Apostle; Within the Octave of the Nativity: Missa “In medio Ecclesiae” Saint John, brother of Saint James the Greater, the Apostle of Spain, is the beloved disciple. He was privileged, with his brother and Saint Peter, to behold Our Lord raise up a dead child to life, then saw Him transfigured…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; St Stephen, First Martyr of the Church
St Stephen, Deacon & Protomartyr: Missa “Sederunt principes” Station for today’s Mass is at St. Stephen’s Church on the Coelian Hill in Rome. The Jewish origin of Saint Stephen is universally acknowledged; he is known and loved everywhere as the first follower of Christ to give to his martyred God love for love, blood for…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; Third Mass [Day] of the Nativity of Our Lord
Third Mass of the Nativity of Our Lord: Missa “Puer natus” This third Mass during the day on Christmas Day returns to the major Station at St. Mary Major and we hear in the Epistle from St. Paul that it was by the Word that God made the world. Let the nations and kings come and…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; Second Mass [Dawn] of the Nativity of Our Lord
Second Mass of the Nativity of Our Lord: Missa “Lux fulgébit” This second Mass at Dawn often called “of the shepherds” used for its station the very ancient church of St. Anastasia whose name appears in the Canon of the Mass. She was burnt alive at Sirmium in Yuglosavia on Devcember 25th during the terrible Diocletian…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; First Mass [Midnight] of the Nativity of Our Lord
First Mass of the Nativity of Our Lord: Missa “Dóminus dixit” This first Mass at Midnight for the Solemnity of the Nativity of Our Lord, the Redeemer of mankind, has always been held at the Station of St. Mary Major where the relics of the Bethlehem crib are kept for it was at midnight that Our…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; Vigil of the Nativity of Our Lord
Vigil of the Nativity of Our Lord: Missa “Hodie sciétis” Station for Christmas Eve is at St. Mary Major in Rome with a Privileged Vigil of the First Class. It was only when Our Lord’s nativity was celebrated with increasing solemnity that a special Mass was said on this vigil. The actual solemnity of December 25,…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; Feria VI of Advent IV
Feria of the Fourth Sunday of Advent: Missa “Rorate, coeli,” Whereas the Church during the whole year offers her prayers to God the Father in union with Jesus Christ, during Advent she addresses herself directly to the Word, and not to the Word Incarnate, as is shown by today’s Collect. Only on the Second Sunday does…
