Feria of the First Sunday of Advent: Missa “Ad Te levávi” This first Sunday of Advent or The Fourth before Christmas is the first day of the Liturgical Year. The Mass prepares us this day for the double coming (adventus) of mercy and justice. That is why St. Paul tells us, in the Epistle, to cast…
Category: Paschaltide
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; Vigil of St Andrew the Apostle
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…
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; St Gertrude the Great, Virgin and Abbess
Saint Gertrude the Great, Virgin and Abbess; Commemoration of Sunday XXIV Post Pentecost: Missa “Dilexisti” The Roman Martyrology commemorates, today, the virgin St. Gertrude, who is to be distinguished from another virgin of the same name, whose life is recorded in the month of March. The Breviary relates of her, as follows: Gertrude was born…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; Dedication of the Archbasilica of Our Saviour
Feast of the Dedication of the Archbasilica of Our Saviour – the Lateran; Commemoration of St Theodore the Recruit, Martyr: Missa “Terribilis est” As one of the four principle basilicas of Rome and one of the seven pilgrim churches, Rome’s Cathedral of St. John, the Basilica of Our Divine Savior is dedicated to both St. John…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; Our holy father S. Willibrord
Our holy father St Willibrord, Bishop Confessor, Apostle to the Frisians, Founder of the See of Utrecht; Commemoration of the Octave of All Saints: Missa “Statuit ei Dominus” Today is the celebration of St. Willibrord, a British-born, Irish-trained, Roman-commissioned Benedictine who evangelized the Netherlands (or in the words of the Roman Martyrology, “Friesland and Denmark”). As…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; All Hallows Eve
Vigil of All Saints: Missa “Júdicant sancti gentes” In several traditional chapels today, there is the observance of the Vigil of All Saints for All Hallows Eve. This day was actually established to honor the many martyrs who gave their lives for Christ and His Church. Evolved through the centuries, this explains why this feast is…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; SS Simon & Jude, Apostles
SS Simon & Jude, Apostles: Missa “Mihi autem nimis” On this day we celebrate two Apostles Saint Simon and Saint Jude Thaddeus, most probably because some historians have them being martyred together. The name of Simon occurs in all the passages of the Gospel and Acts, in which a list of the Apostles is given. To…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; Vigil of SS Simon & Jude, Apostles
Vigil of SS Simon & Jude, Apostles: Missa “Mihi autem nimis” Anticipation is a sign of solicitude and zeal, and therefore the Church, because she is full of love, anticipates the liturgical solemnities in her prayers. A typical example of this zeal is found In the lives of some of the early saints like St….
Carissimi; Today’s Mass: St Hedwig, Widow
Feast of Saint Hedwig, Widow: Missa “Cognovi, Domine” St. Hedwig was one of eight children born to Berthold IV, Count of Andechs and Duke of Croatia and Dalmatia. Of her four brothers, two became bishops, Ekbert of Bamberg, and Berthold of Aquileia; Otto succeeded his father as Duke of Dalmatia, and Heinrich became Margrave of Istria….
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; St Gall, Confessor
St Gall, Confessor; Commemoration of the Octave of St Wilfrid & of St Edward, King & Confessor: Missa “Os justi” Saint Gall was born in Ireland soon after the middle of the sixth century, of pious, noble, and rich parents. He was raised in a monastery during his youth, under Saint Colomban and Saint Comgall,…
