Monthly Archives: December 2012

In the second chapter of the Book of Matthew is recorded the story of the Massacre of the Holy Innocents, an event which recalls the Pharaoh’s instructions to midwives during the time Israel was enslaved in Egypt:

Exodus 1:15-16, 22:
And the king of Egypt spoke to the midwives of the Hebrews: of whom one was called Sephora, the other Phua, Commanding them: When you shall do the office of midwives to the Hebrew women, and the time of delivery is come: if it be a man child, kill it: if a woman, keep it alive…

…Pharao therefore charged all his people, saying: Whatsoever shall be born of the male sex, ye shall cast into the river: whatsoever of the female, ye shall save alive.

Moses was saved from this murder when his mother placed him in a little ark and floated him in the river. Moses’s sister watched from afar as the Pharaoh’s daughter found the child (Exodus 2). The massacre from which Moses was spared is a type, a foreshadowing, of the massacre of the holy innocents that took place soon after Christ was born.

As to the slaughter of the Innocents in the New Testament, first some background: Herod the Great, the Governor of Galilee, was an Idumean Jew whom History describes as an extremely cruel man: he was a man who killed several of his wives and his own sons when he suspected they were plotting against him. Challenges to his power were met with a swift and final response, and he even tried to ensure that his cruel campaigns survived him when he arranged that on the day he went on to his eternal reward, hundreds of men in the area would be killed so that there would be mourning at his funeral. Though this arrangement was never carried out, it speaks well of Herod’s nature.

And during this tyrant’s reign, the Magi — whose adoration of Baby Jesus is remembered on the Epiphany (6 January) and its Eve (Twelfthnight) — saw the Star of Bethlehem and went to Jerusalem, asking where the new King of Jews may be found. Herod heard of their asking around about the newborn King and, calling the high priests to find out about this this Child, was informed that it was prophecied that the Child would be born in Judea.

Threatened by this prophecy, he sent for the Magi to find the Child and report back so he could go and “worship,” too. The Magi found Jesus but, knowing Herod’s heart after having it revealed to them in a dream, didn’t go back to tell Herod of His whereabouts.

Meanwhile, the Holy Family, warned through St. Joseph who was visited by an angel in a dream, makes their flight into Egypt.

Herod became enraged at the Wise Men “betrayal,” and killed all the baby boys in Bethlehem who were two years old and younger.

The fourth day of Christmas commemorates these baby boys, who are considered martyrs — the very first martyrs (St. Stephen, whose Feast was commemorated 2 days ago, was the first martyr of the Church Age). As Bethlehem was a small town, the number of these Holy Innocents was probably no more than 25, but they are glorious martyrs who died not only for Christ, but in His place. Vestments will be red or purple in mourning, and the Alleluia and Gloria will be suppressed at Mass.

For the rest of the post, please click HERE

Pope Benedict: May God Grant Us the Curiosity to Know Him
28 December 2012 Anno Domini

Posted by Lisa Graas at her blog, CatholicBandita.com

The following is the homily given by Pope Benedict XVI on December 24. Since it is on the importance of recognizing Jesus Christ and knowing Him, my favorite topic (identity in Christ), I’ve decided to go ahead and post it. There are many who say they know Jesus, but do they know the real Jesus, and do they know Him in all His fullness? Do they know Him so well that they would recognize Him if He came to them in an unexpected form? I am in love with Jesus, but even I do not know Him in all fullness. That can only happen fully in heaven. And so, it is important for me, and for all of us, to at least have the curiosity to know Him more and more in our lives. That is what a relationship is. It is not a one-time experience. It is a life experience to come to know Jesus more and more.

Vatican City, 24 December 2012 (VIS) – The Pope tonight celebrated Midnight Mass in the Vatican Basilica for the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord.

Pope Benedict XVI kneels as he celebrates the Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican on Monday, Dec. 24, 2012. (photo credit: Gregorio Borgia/AP)

“Again and again it astonishes us that God makes Himself a child so that we may love Him, so that we may dare to love Him, and as a child trustingly lets Himself be taken into our arms. It is as if God were saying: I know that my glory frightens you, and that you are trying to assert yourself in the face of my grandeur. So now I am coming to you as a child, so that you can accept me and love me.

Editor’s Note: The first line of this homily will stay with me forever… Please click HERE to go to the rest of the homily posted on Lisa’s Blog.

Christmas Solemn High Midnight Mass

at St. Norbert’s in Roxbury, WI

Priest (Celebrant): Fr. John Del Priore

Deacon: Fr. John Blewett

Subdeacon: Fr. Miguel Galvez

Master of Ceremonies: Fr. Jared Hood

Ordinary is the Mass of The Shepherds

Prelude

O Magnum Mysterium-Solo (Lauridsen)

What Child is This?

Away in a Manger

Silent Night

Lo How a Rose E’re Blooming

Hymns

Angels We Have Heard on High

Adeste Fideles

Quem Pastores Laudavere

Ave Maria (Victoria)

Joy to the World

Missa “Dóminus dixit”

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THE MASS OF THE CATECHUMENS

INTROIT
: Psalm 2: 7
Dóminus dixit ad me: Fílius meus es tu; ego hódie génui te. (Ps. 2: 1) Quare fremuérunt gentes, et pópuli meditáti sunt inánia? v. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio et nunc et semper et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
Repeat Dóminus dixit…

The Lord hath said to me: Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee. (Ps. 2: 1) Why have the gentiles raged, and the people devised vain things? v. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Repeat The Lord hath said…

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THE MASS OF THE CATECHUMENS

COLLECT
Dominus vobiscum. R. Et cum spiritu tuo.

Oremus. Deus, qui hanc sacratíssimam noctem veri lúminis fecísti illustratióne claréscere: da, quæsumus, ut cujus lucis mystéria in terra cognóvimus, ejus quoque gáudis in coelo perfruámur. Qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus,
Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
R. Amen.

The Lord be with you. R. And with thy spirit.

Let us pray. Grant us, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that we on whom the new light of Thy Incarnate Word is poured, may show forth in our works that brightness which now doth illuminate our minds by faith. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God,
world without end.
R.Amen.

EPISTLE: Titus 2: 11-15
Léctio Epístolæ beáti Pauli Apóstoli ad Titum. Caríssime: Appáruit grátia Dei Salvatóris nostri ómnibus homínibus, erúdiens nos, ut, abnegántes impietátem et sæculária desidéria, sóbrie et juste et pie vivámos in hoc sæculo: exspectántes beátam spem, et advéntum glóriæ magni Dei et Salvatóris nostri Jesu Christi: qui dedit semetípsum pro nobis, ut nos redímeret ab omni iniquitáte, et mundaret sibi pópulum acceptábilem, sectatórem bonórum operum. Hæc lóquere et exhortáte, in Christo Jesu Dómino nostro.
Deo Gratias.

Lesson from the Epistle of Blessed Paul the Apostle to Titus.

Dearly beloved, The grace of God our Saviour hath appeared to all men, instructing us, that, denying ungodliness and worldly desires, we should live soberly and justly and godly in this world, looking for the blessed hope and coming of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and might cleanse to Himself a people acceptable, a pursuer of good works.These things speak and exhort: in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Thanks be to God.

GRADUAL: Psalm 109: 39
Tecum princípium in die virtútis tuæ, in splendóribus sanctórum: ex útero ante lucíferum génui te. V. Dixit Dóminus Dómino meo: sede a dextris meis, donec ponam inimícos tuos scabéllum pedum tuorum. Allelúja, allelúja.(Ps. 2: 7) Dóminus dixit ad me: Fílius meus es tu, ego hódie génui te. Allelúja

With Thee is the principality in the day of Thy strength: in the brightness of the Saints, from the womb before the daystar I begot Thee. V. The Lord said to my Lord: Sit Thou at My right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool. Alleluia, alleluia. (Ps. 2: 7) The Lord hath said to me, Thou art My Son, this day I have begotten Thee. Alleluia.

GOSPEL: Luke 2: 1-14
Dominus vobiscum.
R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
Sequentia sancti Evangelii secundum Lucam.
R.Gloria tibi, Domine

In illo témpore: Éxiit edictum a Cæsare Augusto, ut describ-erétur univérsus orbis. Hæc descríptio prima facta est a præside Syriæ Cyríno: et ibant omnes , ut profiteréntur sínguli in suam civitátem Ascéndit autem et Joseph a Galilæa de civitáte Názareth, in Judæam, in civitátem David, quæ vocátur Béthlehem eo quod esset de domo et família David, ut profiterétur cum María desponsáta sibi uxóre prægnánte. Factum est autem, cum essent ibi, impléti sunt dies ut páreret. Et péperit fílium suum primogénitum, et pannis eum invólvit, et reclinávit eum in præsépio; quia non erat eis locus in diversório. Et pastóres erant in regióne eádem vigilántes, et custodiéntes vigílias noctis super gregem suum. Et ecce Angelus Dómini stetit juxta illos, et cláritas Dei circumfúlsit illos et timuérunt timóre magno. Et dixit illis Angelus: Nolíte timére: ecce enim evangelízo vobis gáudium magnum, quod erit omni pópulo: quia natus est vobis hódie Salvátor, qui est Christus Dóminus, in civitáte David. Et hoc vobis signum: Inveniétis infántem pannis involútum, et pósitum in præsépio. Et súbito facta est cum Angelo multitúdo milítiæ cæléstis, laudántium Deum, et dicéntium: Glória in altíssimis Deo, et in terra pax homíinibus bonæ voluntátis.
Laus tibi Christe.

The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
The continuation of the holy Gospel according to Luke. R. Glory to Thee, O Lord

At that time there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that the whole world should be enrolled. This enrolling was first made by Cyrinus, the governor of Syria. And all went to be enrolled, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem: because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his espoused wife, who was with child. And it came to pass that when they were there, her days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger: because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds watching and keeping the night watches over their flock. And behold an Angel of the Lord stood by them, and the brightness of God shone around about them, and they feared with a great fear. And the Angel said to them: Fear not; for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, that shall be to all the people: for this day is born to you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David. And this shall be a sign unto you: you shall find the Infant wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger. And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God and Saying: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will.
Praise be to Christ

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THE CREDO

OFFERTORY: Psalm 95: 11-13
Dominus vobiscum.
R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
Læténtur coeli et exsultet terra ante fáciem Dómini, quóniam venit.

The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad before the face of the Lord: because He cometh.

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THE OFFERTORY

SECRET
Accépta tibi sit, Dómini, quæsumus, hodiérnæ festivitátis oblátio ut, tua grátia largiénte, per hæc sacrosáncta commércia in illíus inveniámur forma, in quo tecum est nostra substántia. Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus,
Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
R. Amen.

May our offering on this day’s feast be acceptable to Thee, O Lord, we beseech Thee: that by Thy bounteous grace, through this sacred intercourse, we may be found like unto Him, in whom our nature is united to Thee. Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God
Forever and ever.
R.Amen.

PREFACE OF THE NATIVITY
Dominus vobiscum.
R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
Sursum corda.
R.Habemus ad Dominum.
Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro.
R. Dignum et justum est.
Vere dignum et justum est, æqum et salutáre, nos tibi semper, et ubique grátias ágere: Dómine sancte, Pater omnípotens, ætérne Deus. Quia per incarnáti Verbi mystérium nova mentis nostræ óculis lux tuæ claritátis infúlsit: ut dum visibíliter Deum cognóscimus, per hunc invisibílium amórem rapiámur. Et ídeo cum Angelis et Archángelis, cum Thronis et Dóminatiónibus, cumque omni milítia coeléstis exércitus, hymnum glóriæ tuæ cánimus sine fine dicéntes:
SANCTUS, SANCTUS, SANCTUS…

The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
Lift up your hearts.
R.We have lifted them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
R. It is meet and just.
It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God: for through the Mystery of the word made flesh, the new light of Thy glory hath shone upon the eyes of our mind, so that while we acknowledge God in visible form, we may be through Him be drawn to the love of things invisible. And therefore with Angels and Archangels, with Thrones and Dóminations, and with all the hosts of the heavenly army, we sing the hymn of Thy glory, evermore saying:
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY…

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THE CANON OF THE MASS

COMMUNICANTES – INVOCATION OF THE SAINTS

For the Solemnity of Christmas the Priest prays a special Communicantes in celebrating the Church Triumphant with the Invocation of the Saints.

Communicantes, et noctem sacratissimam celebrántes, quo beátæ Mariæ intemeráta virginítas huic mundo édidit Salvatórem: sed et memóriam venerántes, in primis ejúsdem gloriósæ semper Vírginis Mariæ, Genetrícis ejúsdem Dei et Dómini Jesu Christi: sed et beáti Joseph ejúsdem Vírginis Sponsi, et beatórum Apostolórum ac Mártyrum tuórum, Petri et Pauli, Andréæ, Jacóbi, Joánnis, Thomæ, Jacóbi, Philíppi, Bartholomæi, Matthæi, Simónis: et Thaddæi: Lini, Cleti, Cleméntis, Xysti, Cornélii, Cypriáni, Lauréntii, Chrysógoni, Joánnis et Pauli, Cosmæ et Damiánis: et ómnium Sanctórum tuórum; quorum méritis, precibúsque concédas, ut in ómnibus protectiónis tuæ muniámur auxilio. Per eúmdem Christum Dóminum Nostrum. Amen.

Communicating, and keeping this most holy night, in which the spotless virginity of blessed Mary brought forth a Savior to this world and also reverencing the memory of the same glorious Mary, ever Virgin Mother of the same our God and Lord Jesus Christ: as also blessed Joseph, Spouse of the Virgin, of the blessed Apostles and Martyrs Peter and Paul, Andrew, James, John, Thomas, James, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Simon and Thaddeus: Linus, Cletus, Clement, Xystus, Cornelius, Cyprian, Lawrence, Chrysogonus, John and Paul, Cosmas and Damian, and of all Thy Saints, through whose merits and prayers, grant that we may in all things be defended by the help of Thy protection (He joins his hands.) Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

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THE CANON OF THE MASS

COMMUNION: Psalm 109: 3
In splendóribus Sanctórum, ex útero ante lucíferum genui te.

In the brightness of the Saints, from the womb before the day star I begot Thee.

POSTCOMMUNION
Dominus vobiscum.
R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
Oremus. Da nobis, quæsumus, Dómine Deus noster, ut qui Nativitátem Dómini nostri Jesu Christi mystériis nos frequentáre gaudémus, dignis conversati-ónibus ad ejus mereámur perveníre consórtium. Qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus,
Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
R. Amen.

The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray. Grant to us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that we, who rejoice in celebrating by these Mysteries, the Birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ, may by worthy lives, deserve to attain unto fellowship with Him. Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God,
For ever and ever.
R. Amen.

Return to the ORDINARY OF THE HOLY MASS FOR THE FINAL BLESSING

May Our Divine Saviour and His Most Holy Mother guide and protect you always…

Merry Christmas,

God Love you,

Sofia

For my grandfather who gave me the gift of Faith. (Originally published Christmas Eve 2011. )

 Christmas Eve, 2012 A.D.

I was speaking with an old friend the other day doing our usual lamenting over the Faith we knew as kids and we both agreed that the thing that is missing today are the stories.

Stories, you say? Yup. You know, the kind of stories that bring laughter to our bellies and tears to our eyes. The kind of Catholic stories that are not slam-sessions on nuns and priests or a lackadaisical nod about something that happened at the parish that week.

Growing up Catholic you have a legacy of stories and experiences that keeps your Faith whole even in the darkest of days. To those who are nodding their heads right now, you know what I mean. To those who are reading this, still not understanding my ranting, let me tell you a Catholic story… A Christmas story about growing up Catholic in an Italian family on Christmas Eve…

The Vatican Tree

So, pull up a chair, grab something Christmasy to drink, and let me tell you about my Grandpop…

Antonio Constantino Guerra came to this country via Ellis Island with a wife and a pack of kids including my Dad (who was 6 months old at the time). From the moment he stepped on the shores of this country he was truly American. He never returned to Italy he whole life…He insisted he was American and that he would not ever leave the shores of his new country. He was..a true Patriot.

Most of all, he was a good Catholic. He wasn’t a showy Catholic. He was the kind of Catholic everybody wants to be today. He lived the Faith, day in and day out. He was my inspiration for “Always Catholic”. Grandpop was Always Catholic, everyday. He had a phenomenal prayer life and did it quietly, without show. Wow!

I could talk to you all day about him, but let’s get to the Christmas Eve thing before Santa is tapping on my shoulder…LOL!

I was five years old and of course mesmerized by Christmas. What 5 year old in America with a big Italian family wouldn’t be? Christmas was so overwhelming, it even kept me quiet, sometimes…

This particular Christmas Eve, it had been snowing lightly all day and was like something out of a Christmas movie. My dad, A Display Designer in NY always decorated the house in and out like it was a set for a Christmas show. Never gaudy, truly magnificent. The splendor of growing up like that was a gift I will never forget.

Well, the house was decked, the Nativity in its’ place of prominence (sans Baby Jesus-He’s placed in the crib after Midnight Mass) and the smells of Christmas wafting through the house.

We, like many Italians in America celebrate Christmas Eve as if that’s the holiday. The Festa of the Seven Fishes is a feast that lasts from late afternoon until about 4 am. The meal is something to behold and our only break is to go to Mass at Midnight and then back again for the second party.

My story though centers around the time I spent after Mass with Grandpop. We all left for our parish about eleven o’clock pm. My grandfather was revered in the parish so our family always got a pew without having to worry about going too early.

Mass, of course, was still Latin, the church beautiful in the Italianate style and the experience ethereal. After Mass concluded, the tradition was to visit the creche and to say a prayer to the Baby Jesus and take a piece of straw from the Nativity to place with the palm from Eastertime on the Crucifix at home.

The parish was predominately Italian of course and the church always filled with old ladies in black dresses (why always black??? LOL!) and their veils and their Rosaries. They loved walking around after Mass going up to statues rubbing  the hand of a particular Saint and praying at all of the side altars. This night however, was reserved for the Nativity and the Baby Jesus.

As the many people milled around after Mass, my Grandpop took me by the hand and led me up to the creche. He lifted me up so I could reach the straw. We then knelt together and prayed. I looked over at him and saw a tear roll down his cheek. I have never been more moved to this day by this simple display of faith. It shaped me for life as a Catholic. I may have been 5 at the time, but I will never forget that moment.

As we finished praying, as if almost on cue, a voice started to spontaneously sing from the back of the church. One by one,, the many people still there joined in…My Grandpop got up, picked me up and sang with the people in front of the Manger. I will never forget this Christmas hymn. It is probably the most favorite of Italians, far and wide. Maybe now, it’s becoming forgotten, but I play it always at Christmas and particularly on Christmas Eve. I want to share it today and hope you feel as I did that Christmas Eve when my Grandpop held me tight singing, his tears rolling down his face. The voices joining him sealed my heart with love for this Catholic Faith.

So, Grandpop, I pray you are in Heaven this Christmas Eve, singing Tu Scende dalle Stelle with all those old ladies to the Baby Jesus. Then, tell everybody the story how you gave me my Faith, my Christmas present that never ends…

I pray that all of you will make your own Catholic stories. It’s important, our Catholic Faith depends on it.,,

Here are the lyrics to Tu scendi dalle stelle from Italy, in Italian and with an English translation…

Tu scendi dalle stelle

(Italian)

Tu scendi dalle stelle
O Re del Cielo
E vieni in una grotta
Al freddo al gelo.
E vieni in una grotta
Al freddo al gelo.

O Bambino mio Divino
Io ti vedo qui a tremar,
O Dio Beato
Ah, quanto ti costò
L’avermi amato.
Ah, quanto ti costò
L’avermi amato.

A te che sei del mondo,
Il creatore
Mancano panni e fuoco,
O mio Signore.
Mancano panni e fuoco,
O mio Signore.

Caro eletto, Pargoletto,
Quanto questa povertà,
Piu m’innamora
Giacche ti fece amor
Povero ancora.
Giacche ti fece amor
Povero ancora.

Here’s a rough English translation of Tu scendi dalle stelle …

You Come Down from the Stars
(English)

You come down from the stars
Oh King of Heavens,
And you come in a cave
In the cold, in the frost.
And you come in a cave
In the cold, in the frost.

Oh my Divine Baby
I see you trembling here,
Oh Blessed God,
Ah, how much it cost you,
Your loving me.
Ah, how much it cost you,
Your loving me.

For You, who are of all the world
The Creator,
No robes and fire,
Oh my Lord.
No robes and fire,
Oh my Lord.

Dear chosen one, little Infant
This dire poverty,
Makes me love You more
Since Love made You
Poor now.
Since Love made You
Poor now.

Buon Natale,

Sofia