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…
Category: Mass Propers
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…
Carissimi: Sunday’s Mass; St Blaise, Bishop of Sebaste & Martyr
St Blaise, Bishop & Martyr; Commemoration of Sunday IV Post Epiphany & St Laurence of Canterbury, Bishop & Confessor: Missa “Statuit ei Dominus” St Blaise: Many Catholics might remember Saint Blaise’s feast day because of the Blessing of the Throats that took place on this day. Two candles are blessed, held slightly open, and pressed against the throat…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; Candlemass
The Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple and the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Candlelit Procession and Mass Today’s feast commemorates not only the obedience of the Blessed Virgin to the Mosaic Law in going to Jersualem forty days after the birth of her Child and making the accustomed offerings, but…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; St Ignatius of Antioch
S. Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr: Missa “Mihi autem absit” Today is the Feast of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr. This Bishop of Antioch, like St. Polycarp, was a disciple of St. John the Apostle. St. Ignatius was the third successor of St. Peter at Antioch; a tradition says that he was held on…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; S. Peter Nolasco
St Peter Nolasco, Confessor: Missa “Justus ut palma florebit” Today the Church celebrates the sainthood of St. Peter Nolasco, the saintly founder of the Royal and Military Order of Our Lady of Mercy of the Redemption of the Captives. St. Peter (1182-1258) was born in southern France. After the death of his wealthy parents, he spent…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; S. Martina of Rome, Virgin Martyr
St Martina of Rome, Virgin Martyr: Missa “Loquebar de testimonies” Roman virgin, martyred in 226, according to some authorities, more probably in 228, under the pontificate of Pope Urban I, according to others. The daughter of an ex-consul and left an orphan at an early age, she so openly testified to her Christian faith that she…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; S. Francis de Sales, Bishop & Doctor of the Church
S. Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church: Missa “In medio Ecclesiae” Francis de Sales was born on August 21, 1567 in France, which at the time was part of the Holy Roman Empire. He was the oldest of six children in his noble family. His father, Francis, was Lord of Boisy, Sales…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; S. Agnes Virgin and Martyr
S. Agnes Virgin & Martyr (Octave Day): Missa “Vultum tuum” As it coincided with her “octave day” a legend grew, saying that Agnes appeared on this day to her parents praying at her tomb, surrounded by a “bevy of virgins” (Introit), resplendent with light. “On her right hand was a lamb whiter than snow: it was…
Carissimi: Sunday’s Mass; S. John Chrysostom, Bishop & Doctor of the Church
S. John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor of the Church; Commemoration of the Third Sunday Post Epiphany: 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…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; S. Polycarp, Bishop and Martyr
S. Polycarp, Bishop and Martyr: 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 he knew him. “Yes,” Saint Polycarp…
