St Thomas, Apostle; Com. Feria of Advent III: Missa “Mihi autem nimis” Saint Thomas, called Didymus, that is “the twin,” was probably a Galilean of lowly condition and a fisherman. He was chosen to be one of the apostles in the year 31, as can be determined from the mention of his name in the…
Category: Advent
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; Feast of The Expectation of the BVM
The Expectation of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Missa “Rorate caeli desuper“ This feast, which in recent times has been kept not only throughout the whole of Spain, but also in many other parts of the Catholic world, owes its origin to the bishops of the 10th Council of Toledo, in 656. These prelates thought that there…
Carissimi: Sunday’s Mass; Advent III
Third Sunday of Advent; Commemoration of St Eusebius, Bishop Martyr: Missa “Gaudéte“ On this day the Church urges us to gladness in the middle of this time of expectation and penitence: the coming of Jesus approaches more and more. This Sunday is called “Gaudete” (Rejoice) from the first word of the Introit. The whole of this…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; In the Octave of The Conception of the BVM
Feria IV of Advent II in the Octave of the Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Missa “Salve Sancta” Holy Mother Church celebrates today the ancient feast of the Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. An innovation in 1854 by Pope Pius IX altered the title and Mass of the feast adding the word “Immaculate”, but primitively…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; S. Lucy, Virgin & Martyr
St Lucy, Virgin and Martyr; Commemoration of the feria in the Octave of the Conception of the BVM and of the Second Sunday of Advent: Missa “Dilexísti justítiam” Hagiography states that Saint Lucy was a Christian martyr during the Diocletian persecution. According to apocryphal texts, the beautiful Lucia was born to a prosperous family of nobility in…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; In the Octave of The Conception of the BVM
Feria IV of Advent II in the Octave of the Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Missa “Salve Sancta” Holy Mother Church celebrates today the ancient feast of the Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. An innovation in 1854 by Pope Pius IX altered the title and Mass of the feast adding the word “Immaculate”, but primitively…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; St Damasus I, Pope & Confessor
St Damasus I Pope & Confessor; Comm. Feria of Advent II and the Octave of the Conception of the BVM: Missa “Statuit ei Dominus“ On Pope Liberius’ death, riots broke out over the election of a successor. The majority favored Damasus, who was born in Rome of Spanish descent. Damasus was a sixty-year-old deacon when he was elected…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; In the Octave of The Conception of the BVM
Feria II of Advent II in the Octave of the Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Missa “Salve Sancta” Holy Mother Church celebrates today the ancient feast of the Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. An innovation in 1854 by Pope Pius IX altered the title and Mass of the feast adding the word “Immaculate”, but primitively…
Carissimi: Sunday’s Mass; Advent II
Second Sunday of Advent; Comm. the Octave of the Conception of the BVM: Missa“Populus Sion” For the Second Sunday of Advent numerous references appear to Jerusalem and her people beginning with the Introit “People of Sion” for Jesus Christ will be the deliverer and and the shepherd of the faithful Jews and of the Gentiles. It…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; Feria of Advent I
Feria II of the First Sunday of Advent: Missa “Ad te levavi” The Feria for the first Sunday of Advent or The Fourth before Christmas is the first day of the Liturgical Year. The Mass prepares us for the double coming (adventus) of mercy and justice. That is why St. Paul tells us, in the…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; Vigil of the Nativity of Our Lord
Vigil of the Nativity of Our Lord; Commemoration of Sunday Advent IV: 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 Church,…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass: Ember Saturday in Advent
Sabbato Quattuor Temporum Adventus: Missa “Veni, et osténde” Today is Ember Saturday in Advent. It is a day of Fast and Partial Abstinence as we prepare for one week from today the coming of the Lord. Today is a Major Feria, not Privileged Station at St. Peter’s. In the first ages ordinations took place in…
