S. Simeon, Bishop & Martyr: Missa“In virtúte tua” According to Eusebius (Church History, Book III, ch. 11), Saint Symeon is said to have been the son of Cleopas, otherwise called Alpheus, who was father also of Saint James the Lesser, of Saint Jude the Apostle, and of another son named Joseph. Alpheus, according to tradition, was…
Category: Mass Propers
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; Feria II of Sexagesima
Feria II of Sexagesima Sunday Missa “Exsurge, quare obdormis” A major theme of the liturgy is the Word of God. We give thanks that we have heard the Word (Introit), which Saint Paul faithfully preached despite so many obstacles (Epistle). The Gospel is all about hearing the Word of God in a way that produces good…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; S. Valentine, Martyr
S. Valentine, Martyr; Comm. Octave of S. Cuthman: Missa“In virtúte tua” Valentine was a holy priest in Rome, who, with St. Marius and his family, assisted the martyrs in the persecution under Claudius II. He was apprehended, and sent by the emperor to the prefect of Rome, who, on finding all his promises to make him…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; In the Octave of St Cuthman
In the Octave of S. Cuthman, Hermit & Confessor: Missa “Quis dabit mihi” St Cuthman’s name occurs in several early medieval calendars and in the old Missal that was used by the English Saxons before the Norman conquest (kept in the monastery of Jumièges, in which a proper mass is assigned for his feast), a German…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; In the Octave of St Cuthman
In the Octave of S. Cuthman, Hermit & Confessor: Missa “Quis dabit mihi” St Cuthman’s name occurs in several early medieval calendars and in the old Missal that was used by the English Saxons before the Norman conquest (kept in the monastery of Jumièges, in which a proper mass is assigned for his feast), a German…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; St Gilbert of Sempringham
S. Gilbert of Sempringham, Confessor; Comm. the Octave of S. Cuthman, Hermit & Confessor: Missa “Justus ut palma” Son of the wealthy Norman knight Jocelin. When Gilbert showed no signs of becoming a soldier, his father exiled him to Paris, France to study. Gilbert returned to England as a master of arts, and opened a school…
Carissimi: Sunday’s Mass; St Scholastica, Virgin
Saint Scholastica, Virgin; Commemoration of the Octave of St Cuthman of Steyning: Missa “Dilexisti” St. Scholastica was the twin sister of St. Benedict, the Patriarch of Western monasticism. She was born in Umbria, Italy, about 480. Under Benedict’s direction, Scholastica founded a community of nuns near the great Benedictine monastery Monte Cassino. Inspired by Benedict’s…
Carissimi: Sunday’s Mass; Septuagesima
SEPTUAGESIMA SUNDAY; Missa “Circumdederunt me” The venerated Abbe Dom Prosper Gueranger comments on today’s Epistle with these words: “These stirring words of the apostle deepen the sentiments already produced in us by the sad recollections of which we are this day reminded. He tells us that this world is a race, wherein all must run;…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; St. Romuald, Abbot
S. Romuald, Abbot: Missa “Os iusti” St. Romuald was born in Ravenna of a noble family. Founder of the Camaldolese monks — one of the Italian branches of the Benedictines — in which the eremitical life is combined with life in community. He died in 1027, after a life of prayer and rigorous penance. St. Romuald,…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; St Dorothea of Caesarea, Virgin Martyr
St Dorothea of Caesarea, Virgin Martyr: Missa “Me expectaverunt“ According to her apocryphal tradition, Dorothy was a resident of Caesarea, Cappadocia, who when she refused to sacrifice to the gods during Emperor Diocletian’s persecution of the Christians, was tortured by the governor and ordered executed. On the way to the place of execution, she met a…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; S. Agatha, Virgin Martyr
St Agatha, Virgin Martyr: Missa “Gaudeámus omnes” Saint Agatha, virgin and martyr (Collect), was born in Sicily of noble parentage, but she estimated that for her the highest nobility would be to belong to Jesus, Whom she took as her Spouse (Gospel). Endowed with remarkable beauty, she had to resist the solicitations of the governor Quinitanus,…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; St Andrew Corsini
St Andrew Corsini, Bishop Confessor: Missa “Statuit“ St. Andrew, of the noble family of Corsini, was born at Florence, and from his birth was consecrated to the Blessed Virgin. His mother dreamed that she had given birth to a wolf which, on entering into the Carmelite church, was suddenly changed into a lamb. Her son…
