In Annuntiatione Beate Mariæ Virgine (holyday of obligation): Missa “Vultum Tuum“ This feast, prepared by that of St. Gabriel, recalls the greatest event in history, the Incarnation of our Lord (Gospel) in the womb of a Virgin (Epistle). On this day the Word was made flesh, and united to itself for ever the humanity of…
Category: Paschaltide
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; Ember Friday in Lent
Ember Friday in Lent: Missa “De necessitátibús meis eripe me, Dómine” The church built by Pope Mark (337-40) is reckoned among the first erected in Rome. It is possible that the dedication to the Evangelist of Alexandria is of later date. Under the altar of the Basilica of the Holy Apostles dedicated by John III (560-73)…
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: Today’s Mass; St Paul Primi Emeriti
St Paul the First Hermit & St Maur, Abbot: Missa “Iustus ut palma florébit“ Today is the feast of Saint Paul the Hermit, father of hermits, who had St. Jerome for his historian. Having become an orphan at the age of fifteen, he gave up his possessions and retired into a desert where a flourishing palm-tree,…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; Feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord
FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD Missa “Ecce advenit Dominator Dominus” This feast was celebrated in the East as early as the third century and it spread to the West towards the end of the fourth century. The word “Epiphany” means “manifestation.” As at Christmas it is the mystery of a God Who makes…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; Third Mass [Day] of the Nativity of Our Lord
Third Mass of the Nativity of Our Lord: Missa “Puer natus” This third Mass during the day on Christmas Day returns to the major Station at St. Mary Major and we hear in the Epistle from St. Paul that it was by the Word that God made the world. Let the nations and kings come and…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; Second Mass [Dawn] of the Nativity of Our Lord
Second Mass of the Nativity of Our Lord: Missa “Lux fulgébit” This second Mass at Dawn often called “of the shepherds” used for its station the very ancient church of St. Anastasia whose name appears in the Canon of the Mass. She was burnt alive at Sirmium in Yuglosavia on Devcember 25th during the terrible Diocletian…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; First Mass [Midnight] of the Nativity of Our Lord
First Mass of the Nativity of Our Lord: Missa “Dóminus dixit” This first Mass at Midnight for the Solemnity of the Nativity of Our Lord, the Redeemer of mankind, has always been held at the Station of St. Mary Major where the relics of the Bethlehem crib are kept for it was at midnight that Our…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; Vigil of the Nativity of Our Lord
Vigil of the Nativity of Our Lord: 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 actual solemnity of December 25,…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; Feria II of Advent IV
Feria of the Fourth Sunday of Advent: Missa “Rorate, coeli,” Whereas the Church during the whole year offers her prayers to God the Father in union with Jesus Christ, during Advent she addresses herself directly to the Word, and not to the Word Incarnate, as is shown by today’s Collect. Only on the Second Sunday does…
Carissimi: Sunday’s Mass; Advent IV
Fourth Sunday of Advent: Missa “Rorate, coeli,” Whereas the Church during the whole year offers her prayers to God the Father in union with Jesus Christ, during Advent she addresses herself directly to the Word, and not to the Word Incarnate, as is shown by today’s Collect. Only on the Second Sunday does she entreat God…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; Feria III of Advent III
Feria III of the Third Sunday of Advent: Missa “Gaudéte“ Truly we should rejoice in the Lord: Gaudéte in Dómino. This is introduced in the Introit and carried throughout the Mass, especially the Epistle where St. Paul tells the Philippians, “The Lord is nigh, rejoice in the Lord.” We pray that our faith and hope in…
