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From: Revelation 4:1-11

God in Majesty

[1] After this I looked, and lo, in heaven an open door! And the first voice, which I
had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up hither, and I will show
you what must take place after this.” [2] At once I was in the Spirit, and lo, a
throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne! [3] And he who sat there
appeared like jasper and carnelian, and round the throne was a rainbow that loo-
ked like an emerald. [4] Round the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated
on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clad in white garments, with golden
crowns upon their heads. [5] From the throne issue flashes of lighting, and voi-
ces and peals of thunders and before the throne burn seven torches of fire, which
are the seven spirits of God; [6] and before the throne there is as it were a sea of
glass, like crystal.

And round the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of
eyes in front and behind: [7] the first living creature like a lion, the second living
creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth
living creature like a flying eagle. [8] And the four living creatures, each of them
with six wings, are full of eyes all round and within, and day and night they never
cease to sing, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and
is to come!”

[9] And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who
is seated on the throne, who lives for ever and ever, [10] the twenty-four elders fall
down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives for ever
and ever; they cast their crowns before the throne, singing, [11] “Worthy art thou,
our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for thou didst create all
things, and by thy will they existed and were created.”

*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:

1. The second part of the Apocalypse begins at this point and extends to the
start of the Epilogue. The author describes visions concerning the future of man-
kind, particularly the ultimate outcome of history when our Lord Jesus Christ will
obtain the final victory, at his second coming. It begins with a formal introduction
(chaps. 4-5); this is followed by a first section as it were (6:11-11:14) covering the
visions of the seven seals and the first six trumpets, which describes the event
prior to the final battle. The war begins with the sound of the seventh trumpet and
it goes on (this is the second section 11:15-22:5) until the beast is completely
routed and the Kingdom of God is definitively established in the heavenly Jerusa-
lem.

This introductory vision (chaps 4-5) begins with God in heaven in all his glory be-
ing worshipped and celebrated by all creation (chap. 4). He alone controls the
destiny of the world and the Church.

Only Jesus knows God’s salvific plans, and he, through his death and resurrec-
tion, reveals them to us. All this is expressed in chapter 4 by the image of the
Lamb who is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.

1-3. The risen and glorified Christ, who spoke to St John previously (cf. 1:10-13),
now invites him, in a new vision, to go up into heaven to be told God’s plan for
the world. “I looked,” “I was in the Spirit,” “I went up to heaven” all describe the
same phenomenon — God revealing something to the writer. Because the things
he is being told are things man could not possibly discover for himself, the writer
speaks about going up to heaven: this enables him to contemplate heavenly
things, that is, God. Going up to heaven is the same as being in ecstasy, “being
in the Spirit”, being taken over by the Holy Spirit so as to be able to understand
what God wants to reveal to him (cf. note on 1:10).

He is going to be shown “what must take place after this”; it is something which
has already begun to happen in the writer’s own time but it will not reach its cli-
max until the end of the world. The revelation he is given shows him the ultimate
meaning of contemporary events, the outcome of which is guaranteed by the au-
thority of the revealer, Jesus Christ.

The description given here of heaven stresses the majesty and power of God.
Heaven is depicted with a throne at its center, an image taken from Isaiah (cf.
Is 6:1) and Ezekiel (cf. Ezek 1:26-28; 10:1). God’s appearance is described in
terms of the vivid coloring of precious stones; this avoids the danger of defining
God in human terms (an inversion of values). The rainbow round the throne fur-
ther emphasizes the sublimity of God and is also a reminder (cf. Gen 9:12-17)
of God’s merciful promise never to destroy mankind.

4. God’s sovereignty over the world — as symbolized by the throne — is shared in
by others whom the vision also portrays as seated on thrones. They are symbo-
lically described as twenty-four elders who act as a kind of heavenly council or
senate. These elders appear frequently in the course of the book, always posi-
tioned beside God, rendering him tribute of glory and worship (cf. 4:10; 5:9; 19:
4), offering him the prayers of the faithful (cf. 5:8) or explaining events to the seer
(cf. 5:5; 7:13). It is not clear whether they stand for angels or saints; the Fathers
and recent commentators offer both interpretations.

The symbolic number (twenty-four) and the way they are described suggest that
they stand for saints in the glory of heaven. They are twenty-four — twelve plus
twelve, that is, the number of the tribes of Israel plus that of the Apostles. Our
Lord in fact promised the latter that they would sit on thrones (cf. Mt 19:28). The
twenty-four elders, then, would represent the heavenly Church, which includes
the old and the new Israel and which, in heaven, renders God the tribute of per-
fect praise and intercedes for the Church on earth. The number twenty-four has
also been seen as reflecting the twenty-four priestly classes of Judaism, there-
by emphasizing the liturgical dimension of heaven (cf. 1 Chron 24: 7-18; 25:1, 9-
13). Whichever is the case, the white garments indicate that they have achieved
everlasting salvation (cf. 3:5); and the golden crowns stand for the reward they
have earned (cf. 2:10), or the prominence among Christians, who have been pro-
mised that, if they come out victorious, they will sit on Christ’s throne (cf. 3:21).

Through these visions laden with symbolism the Apocalypse shows the solida-
rity that exists between the Church triumphant and the Church militant — specifi-
cally, the connection between the praise that is rendered God in heaven and that
which we offer him on earth, in the liturgy. The Second Vatican Council refers to
this: “In the earthly liturgy we take part in the foretaste of that heavenly liturgy
which is celebrated in the Holy City of Jerusalem toward which we journey as pil-
grims, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God [...]. With all the warriors of
the heavenly army we sing a hymn of glory to the Lord; venerating the memory of
the saints, we hope for some part and fellowship with them; we eagerly await the
Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ, until he our life shall appear and we too will appear
with him in glory” (”Sancrosanctum Concilium”, 8).

5. This vision is similar to the Old Testament theophanies, especially that of Si-
nai. There too the Lord’s presence was revealed with thunder and lightning (cf.
Ex 19:16). Storms are frequently used to symbolize the salvific power and majes-
ty of God at the moment of revelation (cf. Ps 18:14; 50:3; etc.). Further on, the
author will again describe, in more detail, the signs accompanying God’s self-re-
vealing; this gives the book a sense of on-going revelation with an increasing tem-
po (cf. Rev 8:5; 11:19; 16:18; etc.). It is generally accepted Church tradition to in-
terpret fire as a manifestation of the Spirit of God. On the seven spirits, see the
note on 1:4.

6-7. To describe the majesty of God, St John uses symbols which are some-
times quite difficult to interpret. This is the case with the sea as transparent as
glass, and the four living creatures round the throne and on each side of it. The
scene may be a kind of heavenly replica of the arrangements in Solomon’s tem-
ple where there stood in front of the Holy of Holies a huge water container called
the “molten sea” supported by figures of oxen, twelve in number (cf. 1 Kings 7:
23-26; 2 Chron 4:2-5). This similarity between heaven and the temple would be
a way of expressing the connection between liturgy on earth and worship of God
in heaven.

The crystal sea may also be an allusion to God’s absolute dominion over all
forms of authority on earth. In biblical tradition the sea is often used as a symbol
for the powers of darkness (cf. Rev 13:1; 21:1). To God, however, the sea is crys-
tal-clear, that is, he is its master; cf. the way the spirit of God moved over the
surface of the waters in Genesis 1:2.

Elsewhere in the Apocalypse (15:2) it speaks of the sea of glass supporting the
blessed while they praise God: just as the Israelites passed through the Red
Sea, so those who have conquered the beast will cross this solid sea to make
their way to God.

The author of the Book of Revelation avails of images used by the prophets to de-
scribe the glory of Yahweh. The four living creatures are very like those in the pro-
phet Ezekiel’s vision of the chariot of the Lord drawn by four angels representing
intelligence, nobility, strength and agility (cf. Ezek 1:10; 10:12; Is 6:2).

Christian tradition going back as far as St Irenaeus has interpreted these four
creatures as standing for the four evangelists because they “carry” Jesus Christ
to men. The one with the face of a man is St Matthew, who starts his book with
the human genealogy of Christ; the lion stands for St Mark: his Gospel begins
with the voice crying in the wilderness (which is where the lion’s roar can be
heard); the ox is a reference to the sacrifices in the temple of Jerusalem, which
is where St Luke begins his account of Christ’s life, and the eagle represents St
John, who soars to the heights to contemplate the divinity of the Word.

8-11. The chant of the four living creatures is virtually the same as that which the
prophet Isaiah heard the six-winged seraphim sing in his vision of God in the tem-
ple of Jerusalem (cf. Is 6: 1-3). St John changes the ending by bringing in the
new name of God which is an elaboration of the name “Yahweh” (cf. note on Rev
1:4). The four creatures (who, because there are four of them stand for govern-
ment of the entire universe) take the lead in worshipping and praising God; but
they are joined by all the people of God, as represented by the twenty-four elders,
that is, the Church victorious in heaven. They throw down their crowns to show
that they realize their victory is due to God, and that all power belongs to him.
Essentially what they are praising here is God as creator. By reporting this vi-
sion the author of the Apocalypse is inviting the pilgrim Church on earth to asso-
ciate with the worship and praise offered God the creator in heaven.

The Church uses these words of praise in its eucharistic liturgy: at the end of the
Preface, it chants the angelic Sanctus in preparation for the Canon. This angelic
chant, performed as it is in heaven and on earth, reminds us of the sublimity of
the Mass, where the worship of God crosses the frontiers of time and space and
has a positive influence on the entire world, for, “through the communion of the
saints, all Christians receive grace from every Mass that is celebrated, regard-
less of whether there is an attendance of thousands or whether it is only a boy
with his mind on other things who is there to serve. In either case, heaven and
earth join with the angels of the Lord to sing: “Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus ...”
(St. J. Escriva, “Christ Is Passing By”, 88). The saintly Cure of Ars refers to this
intercommunion of praise and thanksgiving, of grace and forgiveness: “The Holy
Mass is a source of joy to all the heavenly court; it alleviates the poor souls in
purgatory; it draws down to earth all kinds of blessings; and it gives more glory
to God than all the sufferings of all the martyrs taken together, than all the penan-
ces of all the hermits, than all the tears shed for them [the holy souls] since time
began and all that will be shed from now till the end of time” (”Selected Sermons”,
second Sunday after Pentecost).

*********************************************************************************************
Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.

Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.

From: Luke 19:11-28

Parable of the Pounds

[11] As they heard these things, [Jesus] proceeded to tell a parable, because
He was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the Kingdom of God
was to appear immediately. [12] He said therefore, “A nobleman went into a far
country to receive kingly power and then return. [13] Calling ten of his servants,
he gave them ten pounds, and said to them, ‘Trade with these till I come.’ [14]
But his citizens hated him and sent an embassy after him saying, ‘We do not
want this man to reign over us.’ [15] When he returned, having received the king-
ly power, he commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to
be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by trading. [16] The
first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your pound has made ten pounds more.’
[17] And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faith-
ful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’ [18] And the second
came, saying, ‘Lord, your pound has made five pounds.’ [19] And he said to him,
‘And you are to be over five cities.’

[20] Then another came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your pound, which I kept laid a-
way in a napkin; [21] for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man; you
take up what you did not lay down, and reap what you did not sow.’ [22] He said
to him, ‘I will condemn you out of your own mouth, you wicked servant! You knew
that I was a severe man, taking up what I did not lay down and reaping what I did
not sow? [23] Why then did you not put my money into the bank, and at my co-
ming I should have collected it with interest?’ [24] And he said to those who stood
by, ‘Take the pound from him, and give it to him who has the ten pounds.’ [25]
(And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten pounds!’) [26] ‘I tell you, that to every one
who has will more be given; but from him who has not, even what he has will be
taken away. [27] But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign
over them, bring them here and slay them before me.’”

The Messiah Enters the Holy City

[28] And when He had said this, He went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:

11. The disciples had a wrong concept of the Kingdom of Heaven: they thought it
was about to happen and they saw it in earthly terms: they envisaged Jesus con-
quering the Roman tyrant and immediately establishing the Kingdom in the holy
city of Jerusalem, and that when that happened they would hold privileged posi-
tions in the Kingdom. There is always a danger of Christians failing to grasp the
transcendent, supernatural character of the Kingdom of God in this world, that
is, the Church, which “has but one sole purpose—that the Kingdom of God may
come and the salvation of the human race may be accomplished.” (Vatican II,
“Gaudium Et Spes”, 45).

Through this parable our Lord teaches us that, although His reign has begun, it
will only be fully manifested later on. In the time left to us we should use all the
resources and graces God gives us, in order to merit the reward.

13. The “mina”, here translated as “pound”, was worth about 35 grams of gold.
This parable is very like the parable of the talents reported in St. Matthew (cf.
25:14-30).

14. The last part of this verse, although it has a very specific context, reflects
the attitude of many people who do not want to bear the sweet yoke of our Lord
and who reject Him as king. “There are millions of people in the world who reject
Jesus Christ in this way; or rather they reject His shadow, for they do not know
Christ. They have not seen the beauty of His face; they do not realize how won-
derful His teaching is. This sad state of affairs makes me want to atone to our
Lord. When I hear that endless clamor—expressed more in ignoble actions than
in words—I feel the need to cry out, ‘He must reign!’ (1 Corinthians 15:25)” (St. J.
Escriva, “Christ Is Passing By”, 179).

17. God counts on our fidelity in little things, and the greater our effort in this re-
gard the greater the reward we will receive: “Because you have been ‘in pauca
fidelis’, faithful in small things, come and join in your Master’s happiness. The
words are Christ’s. ‘In pauca fidelis!...Now will you neglect little things, if Heaven
itself is promised to those who mind them?” (St. J. Escriva, “The Way”, 819).

24-26. God expects us to strive to put to good use the gifts we have received —
and He lavishly rewards those who respond to His grace. The king in the parable
is shown to be very generous towards his servants—and generous in rewarding
those who managed to increase the money they were given. But he is very se-
vere towards the lazy servant who was also the recipient of a gift from his Lord,
who did not let it erode but guarded it carefully—and for this his king criticizes
him: he failed to fulfill the just command the king gave him when he gave him
the money: “Trade till I come.” If we appreciate the treasures the Lord has given
us — life, the gift of faith, grace — we will make a special effort to make them bear
fruit — by fulfilling our duties, working hard and doing apostolate. “Don’t let your
life be barren. Be useful. Make yourself felt. Shine forth with the torch of your
faith and your love. With your apostolic life, wipe out the trail of filth and slime left
by the corrupt sowers of hatred. And set aflame all the ways of the earth with the
fire of Christ that you bear in your heart” (St. J. Escriva, “The Way”, 1).

28. Normally in the Gospels when there is mention of going to the Holy City it is
in terms of “going up” to Jerusalem (cf. Matthew 20:18; John 7:8), probably be-
cause geographically the city is located on Mount Zion. Besides, since the tem-
ple was the religious and political center, going up to Jerusalem had also a sa-
cred meaning of ascending to the holy place, where sacrifices were offered to
God.

Particularly in the Gospel of St. Luke, our Lord’s whole life is seen in terms of a
continuous ascent towards Jerusalem, where His self-surrender reaches its high
point in the redemptive sacrifice of the Cross. Here Jesus is on the point of ente-
ring the city, conscious of the fact that His passion and death are imminent.

*********************************************************************************************
Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.

Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.

Readings at Mass

First reading	Apocalypse 4:1-11 ©

In my vision, I, John, saw a door open in heaven and heard the same voice speaking to me, the voice like a trumpet, saying, ‘Come up here: I will show you what is to come in the future.’ With that, the Spirit possessed me and I saw a throne standing in heaven, and the One who was sitting on the throne, and the Person sitting there looked like a diamond and a ruby. There was a rainbow encircling the throne, and this looked like an emerald. Round the throne in a circle were twenty-four thrones, and on them I saw twenty-four elders sitting, dressed in white robes with golden crowns on their heads. Flashes of lightning were coming from the throne, and the sound of peals of thunder, and in front of the throne there were seven flaming lamps burning, the seven Spirits of God. Between the throne and myself was a sea that seemed to be made of glass, like crystal. In the centre, grouped round the throne itself, were four animals with many eyes, in front and behind. The first animal was like a lion, the second like a bull, the third animal had a human face, and the fourth animal was like a flying eagle. Each of the four animals had six wings and had eyes all the way round as well as inside; and day and night they never stopped singing:

‘Holy, Holy, Holy

is the Lord God, the Almighty;

he was, he is and he is to come.’

Every time the animals glorified and honoured and gave thanks to the One sitting on the throne, who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders prostrated themselves before him to worship the One who lives for ever and ever, and threw down their crowns in front of the throne, saying, ‘You are our Lord and our God, you are worthy of glory and honour and power, because you made all the universe and it was only by your will that everything was made and exists.’

Psalm	Psalm 150:1-6 ©

Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God, the Almighty.

or

Alleluia!

Praise God in his holy place,

praise him in his mighty heavens.

Praise him for his powerful deeds,

praise his surpassing greatness.

Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God, the Almighty.

or

Alleluia!

O praise him with sound of trumpet,

praise him with lute and harp.

Praise him with timbrel and dance,

praise him with strings and pipes.

Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God, the Almighty.

or

Alleluia!

O praise him with resounding cymbals,

praise him with clashing of cymbals.

Let everything that lives and that breathes

give praise to the Lord.

Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God, the Almighty.

or

Alleluia!

Gospel Acclamation	1Jn2:5

Alleluia, alleluia!

Whenever anyone obeys what Christ has said,

God’s love comes to perfection in him.

Alleluia!

Or	cf.Jn15:16

Alleluia, alleluia!

I chose you from the world

to go out and bear fruit,

fruit that will last,

says the Lord.

Alleluia!

Gospel	Luke 19:11-28 ©

While the people were listening, Jesus went on to tell a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and they imagined that the kingdom of God was going to show itself then and there. Accordingly he said, ‘A man of noble birth went to a distant country to be appointed king and afterwards return. He summoned ten of his servants and gave them ten pounds. “Do business with these” he told them “until I get back.” But his compatriots detested him and sent a delegation to follow him with this message, “We do not want this man to be our king.”

Now on his return, having received his appointment as king, he sent for those servants to whom he had given the money, to find out what profit each had made. The first came in and said, “Sir, your one pound has brought in ten.” “Well done, my good servant!” he replied “Since you have proved yourself faithful in a very small thing, you shall have the government of ten cities..” Then came the second and said, “Sir, your one pound has made five.” To this one also he said, “And you shall be in charge of five cities.” Next came the other and said, “Sir, here is your pound. I put it away safely in a piece of linen because I was afraid of you; for you are an exacting man: you pick up what you have not put down and reap what you have not sown.” “You wicked servant!” he said “Out of your own mouth I condemn you. So you knew I was an exacting man, picking up what I have not put down and reaping what I have not sown? Then why did you not put my money in the bank? On my return I could have drawn it out with interest.” And he said to those standing by, “Take the pound from him and give it to the man who has ten pounds.” And they said to him, “But, sir, he has ten pounds . . .” “I tell you, to everyone who has will be given more; but from the man who has not, even what he has will be taken away.

“But as for my enemies who did not want me for their king, bring them here and execute them in my presence.”’

When he had said this he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

Following the Truth: The Year Of Faith – 10 Things You Should Know [Catholic Caucus]
Papal Encyclical on Faith Announced

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On the Ecclesial Nature of Faith
On the Nature of Faith
Catechism's benefits explained for Year of Faith (Catholic Caucus)
A Life of Faith: Papal Theologian Speaks on the Grace of Faith
ASIA/LAOS - "Year of Faith" amid the persecutions of Christians forced to become "animists"
From no faith to a mountain-top of meaning: Father John Nepil (Catholic Caucus)
Living the Year of Faith: How Pope Benedict Wants You to Begin [Catholic Caucus]
Share Your Faith in This Year of Faith: Two keys to help you do it.
On A New Series of Audiences for The Year of Faith

Pope will deliver year-long teaching series on restoring faith
Pope Benedict XVI Grants Plenary Indulgence to Faithful [Catholic Caucus]
Pope, at Marian shrine, entrusts Year of Faith, synod to Mary (Catholic Caucus)
Catholic Church Calls for Public Prayers in Offices on Fridays
Highlights in the Plan for Year of Faith: Traditional Events Will Take on Special Perspective
Catholic Church calls for public prayers in offices on Fridays
Vatican Unveils Logo for Year of Faith [Catholic Caucus]
Miami Prelate Recalls Pope's Visit to Cuba, Looks to Year of Faith [Catholic Caucus]
The World-Changing Year of Faith [Catholic Caucus]
Vatican to Issue Recommendations for Celebrating Year of Faith

PRAYERS AFTER

HOLY MASS AND COMMUNION

Leonine Prayers

Following are the Prayers after Low Mass which were prescribed by Pope Leo XIII who composed the Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel, and were reinforced by Pope Pius XI and Pope Pius XII to pray for the conversion of Russia. Below the normal Leonine Prayers is the longer version of the Prayer to St. Michael, composed by His Excellency Pope Leo XIII to defend against The Great Apostasy.

Latin

Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum, benedicta tu in mulieribus et benedictus fructis ventris tui, Jesus. Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.
(Said 3 times)

Salve Regina, Mater misericordiae, vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, salve. Ad te clamamus, exsules filii Evae. Ad te suspiramus gementes et fientes in hac lacrymarum valle. Eia ergo, Advocata nostra, illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos converte. Et Jesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui, nobis, post hoc exilium, ostende. O clemens, o pia, o dulcis Virgo Maria. Ora pro nobis, sancta Dei Genitrix. Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi.

Oremus. Deus, refugium nostrum et virtus, populum ad te clamantem propitius respice; et intercedente gloriosa, et immaculata Virgine Dei Genitrice Maria, cum beato Joseph, ejus Sponso, ac beatis Apostolis tuis Petro et Paulo, et omnibus Sanctis, quas pro conversione peccatorum, pro libertate et exaltatione sanctae Matris Ecclesiae, preces effundimus, misericors et benignus exaudi. Per eundum Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

Sancte Michael Archangele, defende nos in proelio; contra nequitiam et insidias diaboli esto praesidium. Imperet illi Deus, supplices deprecamur: tuque, Princeps militiae Caelestis, satanam aliosque spiritus malignos, qui ad perditionem animarum pervagantur in mundo, divina virtute in infernum detrude. Amen.

Cor Jesu sacratissimum. Miserere nobis.
Cor Jesu sacratissimum. Miserere nobis.
Cor Jesu sacratissimum. Miserere nobis.

Vernacular

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
(Said 3 times)

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee to we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mouring and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this exile, show unto us the blessed Fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray.
O God, our refuge and our strength, look down with mercy upon the people who cry to Thee; and by the intercession of the glorious and immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of Saint Joseph her spouse, of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and of all the saints, in Thy mercy and goodness hear our prayers for the conversion of sinners, and for the liberty and exaltation of the Holy Mother the Church. Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray: and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Have mercy on us.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Have mercy on us.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Have mercy on us.

Complete Prayer to Saint Michael

The following is the longer version of the vital prayer composed by Pope Leo XIII in 1888 after his startling vision as to the future of the Church. This prayer was dedicated for the Feast of St. Michael 1448 years from the date of the election of the first Leo - Pope Saint Leo the Great. Everyone is familiar with the first prayer below which was mandated by His Holiness as part of the Leonine Prayers after Low Mass. Below are both the short and longer versions of this poignant prayer which should never be forgotten.

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray, and do thou, O heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.

O glorious Archangel Saint Michael, Prince of the heavenly host, be our defense in the terrible warfare which we carry on against principalities and powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, spirits of evil. Come to the aid of man, whom God created immortal, made in His own image and likeness, and redeemed at a great price from the tyranny of the devil. Fight this day the battle of our Lord, together with the holy angels, as already thou hast fought the leader of the proud angels, Lucifer, and his apostate host, who were powerless to resist thee, nor was there place for them any longer in heaven. That cruel, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil or Satan who seduces the whole world, was cast into the abyss with his angels. Behold this primeval enemy and slayer of men has taken courage. Transformed into an angel of light, he wanders about with all the multitude of wicked spirits, invading the earth in order to blot out the Name of God and of His Christ, to seize upon, slay, and cast into eternal perdition, souls destined for the crown of eternal glory. That wicked dragon pours out. as a most impure flood, the venom of his malice on men of depraved mind and corrupt heart, the spirit of lying, of impiety, of blasphemy, and the pestilent breath of impurity, and of every vice and iniquity. These most crafty enemies have filled and inebriated with gall and bitterness the Church, the spouse of the Immaculate Lamb, and have laid impious hands on Her most sacred possessions. In the Holy Place itself, where has been set up the See of the most holy Peter and the Chair of Truth for the light of the world, they have raised the throne of their abominable impiety with the iniquitous design that when the Pastor has been struck the sheep may be scattered. Arise then, O invincible Prince, bring help against the attacks of the lost spirits to the people of God, and give them the victory. They venerate thee as their protector and patron; in thee holy Church glories as her defense against the malicious powers of hell; to thee has God entrusted the souls of men to be established in heavenly beatitude. Oh, pray to the God of peace that He may put Satan under our feet, so far conquered that he may no longer be able to hold men in captivity and harm the Church. Offer our prayers in the sight of the Most High, so that they may quickly conciliate the mercies of the Lord; and beating down the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, do thou again make him captive in the abyss, that he may no longer seduce the nations. Amen.

V: Behold the Cross of the Lord; be scattered ye hostile powers.
R: The Lion of the Tribe of Juda has conquered the root of David.
V: Let Thy mercies be upon us, O Lord.
R: As we have hoped in Thee.
V: O Lord hear my prayer.
R: And let my cry come unto Thee.

V: Let us pray. O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we call upon Thy holy Name, and as suppliants, we implore Thy clemency, that by the intercession of Mary, ever Virgin, immaculate and our Mother, and of the glorious Archangel Saint Michael, Thou wouldst deign to help us against Satan and all other unclean spirits, who wander about the world for the injury of the human race and the ruin of our souls. Amen.

Prayer Before the Crucifix

Look down upon me, O good and gentle Jesus, while before Thy face I humbly kneel, and with burning soul pray and beseech Thee to fix deep in my heart lively sentiments of faith, hope and charity, true contrition for my sins, and a firm purpose of amendment; the while I contemplate with great love and tender pity Thy five most precious wounds, pondering over them within me, calling to mind the words which David Thy prophet said of Thee, my good Jesus: "They have pierced My hands and My feet; they have numbered all My bones."

Indulgence of ten years; a plenary indulgence if recited after devout reception of Holy Communion, Raccolta 201)

Anima Christi - Soul of Christ

Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O Good Jesus, hear me.
Within Thy wounds, hide me.
Suffer me not to be separated from Thee.
From the malignant enemy, defend me.
In the hour of my death, call me.
And bid me come to Thee, that with
Thy saints I may praise Thee for ever and ever. Amen.

Indulgence of 300 days; if recited after devout reception of Holy Communion, seven years Raccolta 131)

Prayer for Vocations

O Lord Jesus Christ, Who didst take to Thyself a body and soul like ours, to teach us the glory of self-sacrifice and service, mercifully deign to instill in other hearts the desire to dedicate their lives to Thee. Give us PRIESTS to stand before Thine Altar and to preach the words of Thy Gospel; BROTHERS to assist the priests and to reproduce in themselves Thy humility; SISTERS to teach the young and nurse the sick and to minister Thy charity to all; LAY PEOPLE to imitate Thee in their homes and families. Amen

Prayers for The Religion Forum (Ecumenical)

Continue to Pray for Pope Benedict [Ecumenical]

Jesus, High Priest

We thank you, God our Father, for those who have responded to your call to priestly ministry.

Accept this prayer we offer on their behalf: Fill your priests with the sure knowledge of your love.

Open their hearts to the power and consolation of the Holy Spirit.

Lead them to new depths of union with your Son.

Increase in them profound faith in the Sacraments they celebrate as they nourish, strengthen and heal us.

Lord Jesus Christ, grant that these, your priests, may inspire us to strive for holiness by the power of their example, as men of prayer who ponder your word and follow your will.

O Mary, Mother of Christ and our mother, guard with your maternal care these chosen ones, so dear to the Heart of your Son.

Intercede for our priests, that offering the Sacrifice of your Son, they may be conformed more each day to the image of your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Saint John Vianney, universal patron of priests, pray for us and our priests

This icon shows Jesus Christ, our eternal high priest.

The gold pelican over His heart represents self-sacrifice.

The border contains an altar and grapevines, representing the Mass, and icons of Melchizedek and St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney.

Melchizedek: king of righteousness (left icon) was priest and king of Jerusalem. He blessed Abraham and has been considered an ideal priest-king.

St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney is the patron saint of parish priests.

Pray a Rosary each day for our nation.

Pray the Rosary

1. Sign of the Cross: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

2. The Apostles Creed: I BELIEVE in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From there He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

3. The Lord's Prayer: OUR Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

4. (3) Hail Mary: HAIL Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and in the hour of our death. Amen. (Three times)

5. Glory Be: GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Fatima Prayer: Oh, my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of your mercy.

Announce each mystery, then say 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, 1 Glory Be and 1 Fatima prayer. Repeat the process with each mystery.

End with the Hail Holy Queen:

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve! To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears! Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us; and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus!

O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Final step -- The Sign of the Cross

The Mysteries of the Rosary

By tradition, Catholics meditate on these Mysteries during prayers of the Rosary.
The biblical references follow each of the Mysteries below.

The Glorious Mysteries
(Wednesdays and Sundays)
1.The Resurrection (Matthew 28:1-8, Mark 16:1-18, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-29) [Spiritual fruit - Faith]
2. The Ascension (Mark 16:19-20, Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1:6-11) [Spiritual fruit - Christian Hope]
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-13) [Spiritual fruit - Gifts of the Holy Spirit]
4. The Assumption [Spiritual fruit - To Jesus through Mary]
5. The Coronation [Spiritual fruit - Grace of Final Perseverance]

~ PRAYER ~

St. Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle
Be our protection against the wickedness
and snares of the devil;
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host,
by the power of God,
Cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits
who prowl through the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen
+

A Prayer for our Free Nation Under God
God Save Our Country web site (prayer warriors)
Prayer Chain Request for the United States of America
Pray for Nancy Pelosi
Prayer and fasting will help defeat health care reform (Freeper Prayer Thread)
Prayer Campaign Started to Convert Pro-Abortion Catholic Politicians to Pro-Life
[Catholic Caucus] One Million Rosaries
Non-stop Rosary vigil to defeat ObamaCare

From an Obama bumper sticker on a car:

"Pray for Obama. Psalm 109:8"

PLEASE JOIN US -

Evening Prayer
Someone has said that if people really understood the full extent of the power we have available through prayer, we might be speechless.
Did you know that during WWII there was an advisor to Churchill who organized a group of people who dropped what they were doing every day at a prescribed hour for one minute to collectively pray for the safety of England, its people and peace?

There is now a group of people organizing the same thing here in America. If you would like to participate: Every evening at 9:00 PM Eastern Time (8:00 PM Central) (7:00 PM Mountain) (6:00 PM Pacific), stop whatever you are doing and spend one minute praying for the safety of the United States, our troops, our citizens, and for a return to a Godly nation. If you know anyone else who would like to participate, please pass this along. Our prayers are the most powerful asset we have. Please forward this to your praying friends.

St. Teresa of Avila Interceding for the Souls in Purgatory, from the workshop of Peter Paul Reubens, 1577–1640

II Maccabees 12:43-46: "And making a gathering, he [Judas] sent twelve thousand drachms of silver to Jerusalem for sacrifice to be offered for the sins of the dead, thinking well and religiously concerning the resurrection, (For if he had not hoped that they that were slain should rise again, it would have seemed superfluous and vain to pray for the dead,) And because he considered that they who had fallen asleep with godliness, had great grace laid up for them. It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins."

November Devotion: The Holy Souls in Purgatory

Since the 16th century Catholic piety has assigned entire months to special devotions. As a reminder of our duty to pray for the suffering faithful in Purgatory, the Church has dedicated the month of November to the Holy Souls. The Holy Souls are those who have died in the state of grace but who are not yet free from all punishment due to their unforgiven venial sins and all other sins already forgiven for which satisfaction is still to be made. They are certain of entering Heaven, but first they must suffer in Purgatory. The Holy Souls cannot help themselves because for them the night has come, when no man can work (John 9:4). It is our great privilege of brotherhood that we can shorten their time of separation from God by our prayers, good works, and, especially, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

To Help the Holy Souls in Purgatory:

1. Have the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass offered up for them.

2. Pray the Rosary and or the Chaplet of Divine Marcy for them, or both.

3. Pray the Stations of the Cross.

4. Offer up little sacrifices and fasting.

5. Spread devotion to them, so that others may pray for them.

6. Attend Eucharistic Adoration and pray for them.

7. Gain all the indulgences you can, and apply them to the Holy Souls

8. Visit to a Cemetery

Say here the prayer for the day, click on torch for specific day:

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Litany for the Holy Souls in Purgatory

V. The just shall be in everlasting remembrance;

R. He shall not fear the evil hearing.

V. Absolve, O Lord, the souls of the faithful departed from every bond of sin,
R. And by the help of Thy grace may they be enabled to escape the avenging judgment,
and to enjoy the happiness of eternal life.
V. Because in Thy mercy are deposited the souls that departed in an inferior degree of grace,
R. Lord, have mercy.
V. Because their present suffering is greatest in the knowledge of the pain that their separation from Thee is causing Thee,
R. Lord, have mercy.
V. Because of their present inability to add to Thy accidental glory,
R. Lord, have mercy.
V. Not for our consolation, O Lord; not for their release from purgative pain, O God;
but for Thy joy and the greater accidental honour of Thy throne, O Christ the King,
R. Lord, have mercy.
V. For the souls of our departed friends, relations and benefactors,
R. grant light and peace, O Lord.
V. For those of our family who have fallen asleep in Thy bosom, O Jesus,
R. grant light and peace, O Lord.
V. For those who have gone to prepare our place,
R. grant light and peace, O Lord.
V. (For those who were our brothers [or sisters] in Religion,)
R. grant light and peace, O Lord.
V. For priests who were our spiritual directors,
R. grant light and peace, O Lord.
V. For men or women who were our teachers in school,
R. grant light and peace, O Lord.
V. For those who were our employers (or employees),
R. grant light and peace, O Lord.
V. For those who were our associates in daily toil,
R. grant light and peace, O Lord.
V. For any soul whom we ever offended,
R. grant light and peace, O Lord.
V. For our enemies now departed,
R. grant light and peace, O Lord.
V. For those souls who have none to pray for them,
R. grant light and peace, O Lord.
V. For those forgotten by their friends and kin,
R. grant light and peace, O Lord.
V. For those now suffering the most,
R. grant light and peace, O Lord.
V. For those who have acquired the most merit,
R. grant light and peace, O Lord.
V. For the souls next to be released from Purgatory,
R. grant light and peace, O Lord.
V. For those who, while on earth, were most devoted to God the Holy Ghost, to Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament,
to the holy Mother of God,
R. grant light and peace, O Lord.
V. For all deceased popes and prelates,
R. grant light and peace, O Lord.
V. For all deceased priests, seminarians and religious,
R. grant light and peace, O Lord.
V. For all our brethren in the Faith everywhere,
R. grant light and peace, O Lord.
V. For all our separated brethren who deeply loved Thee, and would have come into Thy household had they known the truth,
R. grant light and peace, O Lord.
V. For those souls who need, or in life asked, our prayers,
R. grant light and peace, O Lord.
V. For those, closer to Thee than we are, whose prayers we need,
R. grant light and peace, O Lord.
V. That those may be happy with Thee forever, who on earth were true exemplars of the Catholic Faith,
R. grant them eternal rest, O Lord.
V. That those may be admitted to Thine unveiled Presence, who as far as we know never committed mortal sin,
R. grant them eternal rest, O Lord.
V. That those may be housed in glory, who lived always in recollection and prayer,
R. grant them eternal rest, O Lord.
V. That those may be given the celestial joy of beholding Thee, who lived lives of mortification and self-denial and penance,
R. grant them eternal rest, O Lord.
V. That those may be flooded with Thy love, who denied themselves even Thy favours of indulgence and who made the heroic act for the souls who had gone before them,
R. grant them eternal rest, O Lord.
V. That those may be drawn up to the Beatific Vision, who never put obstacles in the way of sanctifying grace and who ever drew closer in mystical union with Thee,
R. grant them eternal rest, O Lord.
V. Eternal rest give unto them, O Lord,
R. And let perpetual light shine upon them.
Let Us Pray
Be mindful, O Lord, of Thy servants and handmaids, N. and N., who are gone before us with the sign of faith and repose in the sleep of grace. To these, O Lord,
and to all who rest in Christ, grant, we beseech Thee, a place of refreshment, light and peace, through the same Christ Our Lord.
Amen

All Saints or All Souls? Differences should be black and white
All Souls' Day [Catholic Caucus]
Why I Am Catholic: For Purgatory, Thank Heavens (Ecumenical)
Q and A: Why Pray for the Dead? [Ecumenical]
“….and Death is Gain” – A Meditation on the Christian View of Death [Catholic Caucus]
99 & 1/2 Won’t Do – A Meditation on Purgatory
The Month of November: Thoughts on the "Last Things"
To Trace All Souls Day (Protestants vs Catholics)

November 2 -- All Souls Day
On November: All Souls and the "Permanent Things"
"From the Pastor" ALL SAINTS & ALL SOULS
Praying for the Dead [All Souls Day] (Catholic/Orthodox Caucus)
To Trace All Souls Day [Ecumenical]
All Souls Day [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]
The Roots of All Souls Day
The Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed (All Souls)
During Month of Souls, Recall Mystic, St. Gertrude the Great
All Saints and All Souls

November 2012

Pope's intentions

General Intention: Ministers of the Gospel. That bishops, priests, and all ministers of the Gospel may bear the courageous witness of fidelity to the crucified and risen Lord.

Missionary Intention: Pilgrim Church. That the pilgrim Church on earth may shine as a light to the nations.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012
The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Memorial)

First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:

Revelation 4:1-11
Psalm 150:1-6
Luke 19:11-28

A truly humble person never believes that he can be wronged in anything. Truly, we ought to be shamed to resent whatever is said or done against us; for it is the greatest shame in the world to see that our Creator bears so many insults from His creatures, and that we resent even a little word that is contradictory.

-- St. Teresa

The Angelus

The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary:
And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word.

Hail Mary . . .

And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary . . .

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:

Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord.

Amen.

The Presentation of the Virgin Mary

The Presentation of the Virgin Mary
Memorial
November 21st

Domenico Ghirlandaio
Presentation of the Virgin at the Temple
1486-90 - Fresco
Cappella Tornabuoni, Santa Maria Novella, Florence

History
Mary, at the age of three, was brought by her parents to the Temple, in fulfillment of a vow, there to be educated. The corresponding feast originated in the Orient, probably in Syria, the home of the apocrypha. The feast is missing in the earlier Menology of Constantinople (eighth century); it is found, however, in the liturgical documents of the eleventh century. It appears in the constitution of Manuel Comnenos (1166) as a fully recognized festival during which the law courts did not sit. In the West it was introduced by a French nobleman, Philippe de Mazières, Chancellor of the King of Cyprus, who spent some time at Avignon during the pontificate of Gregory XI. It was celebrated in the presence of the cardinals (1372) with an office accommodated from the office chanted by the Greeks. In 1373 it was adopted in the royal chapel at Paris, 1418 at Metz, 1420 at Cologne. Pius II granted (1460) the feast with a vigil to the Duke of Saxony. It was taken up by many dioceses, but at the end of the Middle Ages, it was still missing in many calendars. At Toledo it was assigned (1500) by Cardinal Ximenes to September 30. Sixtus IV received it into the Roman Breviary, Pius V struck it from the calendar, but Sixtus V took it up a second time (September 1, 1585). It is now celebrated November 21.
(Principal source - Catholic Encyclopedia - 1913 edition)
Collect:
As we venerate the glorious memory
of the most Virgin Mary,
grant, we pray, O Lord, through her intercession,
that we too, may merit to receive
from the fullness of your grace.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. +Amen.
First Reading: Zechariah 2:14-17 (2:10-13 RSV)
Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion; for lo, I come and I will dwell in the midst of you, says the Lord. And many nations shall join themselves to the Lord in that day, and shall be My people; and I will dwell in the midst of you, and you shall know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me to you. And the Lord will inherit Judah as His portion in the holy land, and will again choose Jerusalem."

Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord; for He has roused Himself from His holy dwelling.

Gospel Reading: Matthew 12:46-50
While He was still speaking to the people, behold, His mother and His brethren stood outside, asking to speak to Him. But He replied to the man who told Him, "Who is My mother, and who are My brethren?" And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, "Here are My mother and My brethren! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother, and sister, and mother."

Presentation Of The Blessed Virgin Mary [Catholic and Orthodox Caucus]
Feast of the Entrance into the Temple of Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos [Orthodox/Catholic Caucus]
The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary [November 21]

Information: The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Feast Day:

November 21

November 21, 2012

Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Reading 1 Rv 4:1-11

Responsorial Psalm Ps 150:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6

Gospel Lk 19:11-28

Readings at Mass

November Devotion: The Holy Souls in Purgatory

Litany for the Holy Souls in Purgatory