S. John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor of the Church: Missa “In medio Ecclesiae” The holy Patriarch of Constantinople received his surname “Chrysostom (golden mouth)” because he was the most eloquent preacher and the most prolific writer of the Greek Church. He was persecuted by the empress Eudoxia and her courtiers. He died in exile A.D….
Category: Liturgy
Carissimi: Sunday’s Mass; S. Polycarp, Bishop and Martyr
S. Polycarp, Bishop and Martyr; commemoration of Sunday III Post Epiphany: Missa “Sacerdotes Dei“ Saint Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, was a disciple of Saint John. He wrote to the Philippians, exhorting them to mutual love and to hatred of heresy. When the apostate Marcion met Saint Polycarp at Rome, he asked the aged Saint if…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; The Conversion of Saint Paul
Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul: Missa “Scio cui crédidi” Since the 8th century the feast of the conversion of St. Paul has been set apart by the Church to return thanks to almighty God for His act of grace in bringing the future apostle to the Faith. After the miracle of Christ’s Resurrection no…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; St Timothy, Bishop & Martyr
S. Timothy, Bishop and Martyr: Missa “Statuit ei Dominus” Saint Timothy was a convert of Saint Paul, born at Lystra in Asia Minor. His mother was a daughter of Israel, but his father was a pagan, and though Timothy had read the Scriptures from his childhood, he had never been circumcised. On the arrival of Saint Paul at…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; The Espousal of the Blessed Virgin Mary with St Joseph
The Espousal of the Blessed Virgin Mary with St Joseph: Missa “Salve, sancta parens“ January 23rd is the traditional day of the feast called “The Espousal of the Virgin Mary with St Joseph.” Although never on the general Calendar, it was kept by many religious orders, especially those with a particular devotion to the Virgin Mary,…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; SS. Vincent & Anastasius, Martyrs
SS. Vincent & Anastasius, Martyrs: Missa “Intret in conspéctu tuo” Vincent of Saragossa, Deacon (also known as Vincent of Aragon) Born in Huesca, Spain; died January 22, 304. He was educated and ordained a deacon by Bishop Saint Valerius of Saragossa with the commission to preach (White). (Gill confusingly says: “As a young priest he served Valerius, Bishop of Saragossa,…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; S. Agnes Virgin and Martyr
S. Agnes Virgin and Martyr: Missa “Me exspectaverunt peccatores” Martyred for her faith at the early age of twelve, Saint Agnes was one of the youngest-known named martyrs in the Communion of Saints. She was born into a wealthy Roman aristocratic family and was remarkable for her beauty as a child. But the true beauty was…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; SS. Fabian & Sebastian, Martyrs
SS. Fabian & Sebastian, Martyrs: Missa “Intret in conspéctu tuo” Pope Saint Fabian was a layman when elected pope, a position he held from January 10, 236 until his martyrdom on January 20, 250. St Sebastian died in 288 under Diocletian. From the Roman Breviary: “Fabian was a Roman, and sat as Pope from the reign of the Emperor…
Carissimi: Sunday’s Mass; Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus
Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus; Commemoration of the Second Sunday Post Epiphany: Missa “In nomine Jesu” Holy Mother Church reveals to us the greatness of His name. It was on the occasion of the rite of Circumcision that a name was given to children among Jews. So the Church uses the same Gospel as…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; S. Peter’s Chair at Rome
S. Peter’s Chair at Rome; Commemoration of St Prisca, Virgin Martyr; beginning of the Octave of Christian Unity: Missa “Státuit ei Dóminus” Eleven years after the Ascension of our Blessed Lord, Saint Peter who had been appointed the head of the Church on earth by Christ Himself, transferred the seat of the Papacy from Antioch to Rome,…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; S. Anthony, Abbot
S. Antony, Abbot: Missa “Os justi” After St. Paul the Hermit, father of the Anchorites or hermits, the Christmas Cycle honours Saint Anthony, father of the Cenobites, who live in common. When he was 18, he retired into the Egyptian desert and led the life of a hermit. The devil, in order to frighten him…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; Pope St Marcellus I, Martyr
Pope Saint Marcellus I, Martyr: Missa “Statuit ei Dominus” Nothing of Marcellus’ life before his papacy has survived the centuries. He became Pope at the end of the persecutions of Diocletian in aound 308-309. The persecutions had disrupted the Church so much that there had been a gap of over a year with no Pope. Once…
