Vigil of St Andrew, Apostle; commemoration of St Saturninus, Martyr; Missa “Dóminus secus mare Galilaeæ” Today is the last day of the liturgical year. The day preceding a festival is styled a vigil (from the Latin word signifying a night-watch) because in primitive ages the faithful passed in prayer in the church the greater part…
Category: Mass Propers
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; St Gregory Thaumaturgus
St Gregory Thaumaturgus, Bishop & Confessor: Missa “Statuit ei Dominus” Gregory was born to a distinguished pagan family in Neoceasarea in 213. He became a disciple of Origin, and afterward was appointed Bishop of Neoceasarea. Illustrious for his doctrine and sanctity, he was still more memorable for the number and brilliance of miracles he worked, which earned…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; St. Peter of Alexandria, Martyr
St. Peter of Alexandria, Bishop, Martyr; com. St Sylvester, Abbot: Missa “In virtúte” The Holy Hieromartyr Peter of Alexandria was the head of the Catechetical School of Alexandria and was Archbishop of the Church of Alexandria during the rise of the the Arian heresy during the early years of the fourth century. He was the…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; S. Catherine of Alexandria, Virgin Martyr
St Catherine of Alexandria, Virgin Martyr; Com. Octave of St Edmund, King & Martyr: Missa “Loquebar de testimonies” The legend of St. Catherine of Alexandria is unsupported by solid historical authority. Devotion to her began in the West about the Eleventh Century and was widely spread by the Crusaders. We have still much to learn about…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; Pope St Clement, Martyr
St Clement, Pope & Martyr; Com. Oct. St Edmund, King & Martyr: Missa “Dicit Dominus” Pope Saint Clement I, who was styled by St. Paul in his letter to the Philippians (iv, 3) as his fellow laborer,” succeeded St. Cletus as Pope in the year 90. He is named third in the Canon of the Mass,…
Carissimi: Sunday’s Mass; S. Cecilia, Virgin Martyr
St Cecilia, Virgin Martyr; Com. Sunday XXIV & Ultimate Post Pentecost: Missa “Loquébar de testimóniis” It is believed that St. Cecilia was born in the 2nd or 3rd century A.D., although the dates of her birth and martyrdom are unknown. Tradition tells us that Cecilia was a Roman girl of a patrician family who had been brought…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple
The Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple [Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary]: Missa “Salve, sancta parens“ In Eastern Orthodox tradition, this is one of the days when women named Mary (Μαρία in Greek) and Despoina (Δέσποινα in Greek) celebrate their Name Day. It was celebrated in the East as early…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; S. Edmund King & Martyr
St Edmund, King & Martyr: Missa “In Virtute Tua” St Edmund was king of East Anglia from about 855 until his death. Almost nothing is known of Edmund. He is thought to be of East Anglian origin and was first mentioned in an annal of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, written some years after his death. His kingdom was…
Carissimi; Today’s Mass: St Elizabeth of Hungary, Widow
Feast of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, Widow: Missa “Cognovi, Domine” In her short life, Elizabeth manifested such great love for the poor and suffering that she has become the patroness of Catholic charities and of the Secular Franciscan Order. The daughter of the King of Hungary, Elizabeth chose a life of penance and asceticism when a…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; Dedication of the Basilicas of SS Peter & Paul
Feast of the Dedication of the Basilicas of St. Peter & Paul: Missa “Terribilis est” The two basilicas of the apostles were held in great veneration from the earliest times. The priest Caius, declared against the heretics, “I can show you the trophies of the Apostles; for if you will go to the Vatican on the…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; S. Hugh of Lincoln
St. Hugh of Lincoln, Confessor Bishop; commemoration of St Hilda of Whitby: Missa “Sacerdotes“ A native of Burgundy, Hugh was born in Avalon, near Grenoble in 1140 and joined the Carthusian Order at the age of 20. He was highly regarded for his intellectual ability, his integrity and caring nature. At the request of Henry…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; S. Edmund Rich
St. Edmund Rich of Canterbury, Confessor Bishop: Missa “Gaudeamus“ Popular Archbishop of Canterbury who battled for discipline and justice, also called Edmund of Abingdon. Born in Abingdon, on November 30, 1180. he studied at Oxford, England, and in Paris, France. He taught art and mathematics at Oxford and was ordained. He spent eight years teaching…
