Christmastime Update; Te Deum and Plenary Indulgence on December 31

Deep within this Octave of Christmas I wanted to check in with those hardy souls who still read this space. Merry Christmas to you and a very Blessed New Year!


Did you eat meat today?  Did you even think about it?  This is one of those days where the traditional practice and the modern law and expectation collide.  Even for those who abstain from meat every Friday of the year (as is still expected under the law, unless you substitute a different penance for it), this kind of day poses a conundrum.  In the olden days, only a Holy Day of Obligation set aside a Friday abstinence.  Now, though, “Solemnities” do, regardless of whether they are obligatory.  A day like today always gives me pause– it is not a Holy Day of Obligation; nor, strictly speaking, is it a First Class Feast.  It is, I believe, a Second Class Feast of Our Lord.  But, it marks Christmas, which is a Holy Day of Obligation (even to the USCCB) and one of the principal feasts of the year.  It feels incongruent to do penance today.  So, did you eat meat today?


Next, I apologize for obviously and egregiously lame blogging the last ten days, even by my standards.  After I return after the New Year’s break, around Tuesday, it will pick up again.  Thanks for your patience.


And finally, as the title indicates, there is an opportunity for a plenary indulgence for those who partake in the traditional end-of-year public recitation of the Te Deum on December 31. The Canons at St. Francis de Sales will pray the Te Deum at 5 pm.  It is a very convenient opportunity to gain the indulgence, which may come in quite handy the way people drive on New Year’s Eve.  The usual conditions apply– confession, communion, prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father, complete detachment from sin.


Here is the ancient prayer of thanksgiving itself, in Latin and English:

TE DEUM laudamus: te Dominum confitemur.	O GOD, we praise Thee: we acknowledge Thee to be the Lord.
Te aeternum Patrem omnis terra veneratur.	Everlasting Father, all the earth doth worship Thee.
Tibi omnes Angeli; tibi Caeli et universae Potestates;	To Thee all the Angels, the Heavens and all the Powers,
Tibi Cherubim et Seraphim incessabili voce proclamant:	all the Cherubim and Seraphim, unceasingly proclaim:
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth.	Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts!
Pleni sunt caeli et terra maiestatis gloriae tuae.	Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty of Thy glory.
Te gloriosus Apostolorum chorus,	The glorious choir of the Apostles,
Te Prophetarum laudabilis numerus,	the wonderful company of Prophets,
Te Martyrum candidatus laudat exercitus.	the white-robed army of Martyrs, praise Thee.
Te per orbem terrarum sancta confitetur Ecclesia,	Holy Church throughout the world doth acknowledge Thee:
Patrem immensae maiestatis:	the Father of infinite Majesty;
Venerandum tuum verum et unicum Filium;	Thy adorable, true and only Son;
Sanctum quoque Paraclitum Spiritum.	and the Holy Spirit, the Comforter.
Tu Rex gloriae, Christe.	O Christ, Thou art the King of glory!
Tu Patris sempiternus es Filius.	Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father.
Tu ad liberandum suscepturus hominem, non horruisti Virginis uterum.	Thou, having taken it upon Thyself to deliver man, didst not disdain the Virgin’s womb.
Tu, devicto mortis aculeo, aperuisti credentibus regna caelorum.	Thou overcame the sting of death and hast opened to believers the Kingdom of Heaven.
Tu ad dexteram Dei sedes, in gloria Patris.	Thou sitest at the right hand of God, in the glory of the Father.
Iudex crederis esse venturus.	We believe that Thou shalt come to be our Judge.
Te ergo quaesumus, tuis famulis subveni: quos pretioso sanguine redemisti.	We beseech Thee, therefore, to help Thy servants whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy Precious Blood.
Aeterna fac cum sanctis tuis in gloria numerari.	Make them to be numbered with Thy Saints in everlasting glory.
V. Salvum fac populum tuum, Domine, et benedic hereditati tuae.	V. Save Thy people, O Lord, and bless Thine inheritance!
R. Et rege eos, et extolle illos usque in aeternum.	R. Govern them, and raise them up forever.
V. Per singulos dies benedicimus te.	V. Every day we thank Thee.
R. Et laudamus nomen tuum in saeculum, et in saeculum saeculi.	R. And we praise Thy Name forever, yea, forever and ever.
V. Dignare, Domine, die isto sine peccato nos custodire.	V.
R. Miserere nostri, Domine, miserere nostri.	R. Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us.
V. Fiat misericordia tua, Domine, super nos, quemadmodum speravimus in te.	V. Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, for we have hoped in Thee.
R. In te, Domine, speravi: non confundar in aeternum.	R. O Lord, in Thee I have hoped; let me never be put to shame.

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Another Reason to Homeschool, and Another Reason Why Homeschooling Will Be Targeted for Extinction

You haven’t realized that your child belongs to the state, you see.

The Christmas Truce of World War I

For the season, I wanted to draw attention to the nice article in The Remnant on the Christmas Truce of 1914.  This truce, in the first year of the war that finished off the remains of Christendom, was a remarkable bit of sanity in the midst of auto-demolition.


May the Prince of Peace soon win over the hearts of men, so hardened in our own day.

Feast of St. John, Apostle and Evangelist: Blessing of Wine after Tonight’s Mass at the Oratory

What follows is a rehash of my post of last year– I just wanted to post this so that any faithful who want to benefit from the blessing of wine on St. John’s feast day may do so tonight after the 6:30pm Mass at St. Francis de Sales Oratory:


Having been raised in the throes of the N.O. for most of my life, I was unaware of the beautiful custom of the blessing of wine after the principal Mass on the feast of St. John. The above image captures an incident in the life of the Apostle, when he was given poisoned wine to drink. When he blessed the wine, the poison left the chalice in the form of a serpent and he safely consumed the remaining wine.

Just another one of those beautiful Catholic customs we should take care to retain and pass along to our children.
This blessing is an English translation from the Roman Ritual:
BLESSING OF WINE
on the Feast of St. John, Apostle and Evangelist (December 27)At the end of the principal Mass on the feast of St. John, Apostle and Evangelist, after the last Gospel, the priest, retaining all vestments except the maniple, blesses wine brought by the people. This is done in memory and in honor of St. John, who drank without any ill effects the poisoned wine offered to him by his enemies.
P: Our help is in the name of the Lord.
All: Who made heaven and earth.
P: The Lord be with you.
All: May He also be with you.

Let us pray.
If it please you, Lord God, bless + and consecrate + this vessel of wine (or any other beverage) by the power of your right hand; and grant that, through the merits of St. John, apostle and evangelist, all your faithful who drink of it may find it a help and a protection. As the blessed John drank the poisoned potion without any ill effects, so may all who today drink the blessed
wine in his honor be delivered from poisoning and similar harmful things. And as they offer themselves body and soul to you, may they obtain pardon of all their sins; through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.

Lord, bless + this creature drink, so that it may be a health-giving medicine to all who use it; and grant by your grace that all who taste of it may enjoy bodily and spiritual health in calling on your holy name; through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.

May the blessing of almighty God, Father, Son, + and Holy Spirit, come on this wine (or any other beverage) and remain always.
All: Amen.
It is sprinkled with holy water. If the blessing is given privately outside of Mass, the priest is vested in surplice and stole and performs the ceremony as given above.

I Have No Shame

in directing you to Mother Crab’s blog for this and other great photos of Midnight Mass at St. Francis de Sales.

Light Blogging Through Christmas

Merry Christmas to everyone, and have a blessed holiday!

December 23

O Emmanuel, Rex et legifer noster, exspectatio gentium, et Salvator earum: veni ad salvandum nos Domine Deus noster.

December 22

O Rex Gentium, et desideratus earum, lapisque angularis, qui facis utraque unum: veni, et salva hominem, quem de limo formasti.

Oratory Newsletter– Gaudete Gala Round-up, Survey Reminder, Midnight Mass Info, Scrip Program, Visit of Cardinal Burke, and Good News on the Tower Front

If you only read one newsletter this year– let it be this one!  😉


From Canon Michael Wiener, Rector of St. Francis de Sales Oratory:

SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES ORATORY
EMAIL NEWSLETTER

December 21, 2011

GAUDETE BENEFIT GALA – SURVEY – STEEPLE – CANON DE LA BROSSE MIDNIGHT MASS – SCRIP – VISIT OF CARDINAL BURKE
MYSTERY PHOTO

Dear Faithful and Friends of St. Francis de Sales Oratory,

FIRST ANNUAL GAUDETE BENEFIT GALA

One member of the audience described the Oratory’s first Gaudete Benefit Gala as a “magical evening.” Others used “fantastic,” “moving” and “extraordinary” to describe the memorable experience which exceeded their expectations.

 

From the jazzy welcome which greeted the first arrivals at the cocktail social, to the resounding “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” that closed the evening, this “magical evening” was a delightful interlacing of skillfully performed music and a delicious banquet. The overture, “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik” captivated the audience just before the first course, Winter Beef Soup, was served. Thereafter, choral and instrumental pieces by classical masters as well as contemporary composers were enchantingly interwoven with the elegant dinner, served in a joyful atmosphere.

Who can forget the Chocolate Oblivion Flourless Torte paired with timeless Christmas carols, sung with energy and expression by the Oratory’s choristers?

Once again, I would like to thank Mr. Nick Botkins, Mrs. Catherine Unseth, Mrs. Mary Hayworth, and Mr. Mike Kenney for their vision and execution of this beautiful gala, which showcased the Oratory’s choirs and orchestra. We will need support to renovate the music suite in the “1888 Building” and to refurbish the organ, and this fundraiser was a very good beginning. I would like to thank all of you who came to this sold-out event, and the many guests who came to hear our choirs for the first time. Last but not least, I would like to thank all the singers and musicians for sharing the gifts which you offer every Sunday in support of the Sacred Liturgy, and which were displayed so dazzlingly at this Gala. Thank you!

Thanks to Mr. Phil Roussin, we are able to share with you two selections performed at the Gala: the Ave Maria by Nicholas Wilton, and the traditional carol, Gloucestershire Wassail.

PLEASE PARTICIPATE IN SURVEY

We are in the final weeks of our 5-week survey of the Oratory’s attendees. The wonderful changes we have seen at St. Francis de Sales in the past six years have been supported largely by the dedicated and increased attendance. A higher rate of participation in this survey will ensure a better understanding of the demographic changes which are taking place. We kindly ask everyone to participate this year, whether you did last year, or are a newcomer this year. Last year’s survey returns cannot be re-used; therefore it is necessary that everyone fills out a new one for this year. For your convenience, the survey is designed to take only a few minutes, and it can be filled out anonymously in paper form, or online at http://www.tinyurl.com/StFdS. Your generous participation will help us gather information which will help the Oratory serve the faithful in the greater St. Louis area. Thank you very much for your help!

AN ENCOURAGING UPDATE ON THE STEEPLE TOWER

In November, we received the final report of a study which monitored the movement of the Saint Francis de Sales steeple tower. This study was conducted over a 15-month period, considerably longer than the previous report of 2005 which spanned 5 months. The results of this recent study are interesting in that they show a cyclical displacement, likely due to seasonal effects, rather than a continuous unidirectional separation of the tower from the nave. Thus, the net displacement measured was smaller than what the previous projection would lead us to believe. The study concludes: “The continual movement was not significant enough to be readily measurable over this time period,” and that “it is not a primary concern at this time.”

The report’s recommendations are two-fold: a. more long-term monitoring of the tower is needed, and b. that the damage already occurred should be addressed as soon as possible.

We are very grateful for this study which gives us a better understanding of the steeple tower situation, so that this important element in the restoration of St. Francis de Sales can be addressed in a prudent manner.

In the mean time, per recommendation of the report, we will attend to other much-needed repairs of the church, such as the stained glass windows, displaced masonry, broken brick work, and tuck-pointing. With the generosity of the faithful and friends of the Oratory, some of these repairs have already begun or been completed in the last few years. Gratefully, and encouraged by the latest information, we look forward to the next phase of collaboration with all our supporters to continue the restoration of St. Francis de Sales.

FIRST MASS OF CANON BRIEUC DE LA BROSSE

Canon Brieuc de La Brosse who was ordained priest by His Eminence, Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke, in Florence on July 7, celebrated Solemn High Mass at Saint Francis de Sales Oratory, preached the sermon and gave a first blessing to hundreds of faithful. Canon de La Brosse arrived in St. Louis last Saturday and was able to attend the Gaudete Benefit Gala the night before this wonderful and grace-filled Sunday. Thank you, Canon de La Brosse, for your visit and God Speed for your apostolic work in the Institute’s apostolates in Ireland!

MIDNIGHT MASS

Solemn High Mass with Glorious Music and Veneration of the Relic of the Holy Crèche.

The first Mass of Christmas will be celebrated at midnight on December 25, and will include the veneration of the relic of the holy Crèche. Please join us, and invite your friends, neighbors and family to a memorable, traditional celebration of the birth of the Savior. Beginning at 11:30 PM, traditional Christmas carols will be sung by the Choirs of Saint Francis de Sales Oratory, including the Girls’ Choir, the Oratory Choir of Men and Boys, and the Polyphonic Choir. The music repertoire accompanying the glorious Sacred Liturgy will include the Lux Arumque by Eric Whitacre, and Missa Brevis for Strings and Brass KV. 194 by Mozart.

ORATORY’S SCRIP PROGRAM – INTRODUCING “SHOPWITHSCRIP”

 
In the last Newsletter we announced a new Scrip program for the Oratory. By shopping with Scrip at the retailers you already frequent, a percentage of the money you spend is contributed to the Oratory. It is a year-round, ongoing fundraiser which may also be a shopping convenience at this time of the year. Everyone is cordially invited to check out the program, and to participate if you wish. The Oratory has some scrip in the form of gift cards on hand and available for immediate purchase from the following retailers.

Lowe’s – Shop-n-Save – Starbuck’s – St. Louis Bread Company
JCPenny -Walmart – Sam’s Club – Target – Land’s End -LLBean
IHOP – Burger King – Walgreen’s – Bob Evans – JoAnn Fabric
Little Ceaser’s – Gymboree – Domino’s -Chipolte -Dillard’s

To purchase or for questions about the program, please contact Mrs. Gretchen Clinton at sfdsscrip@gmail.com or the Oratory office at 314-771-3100.

VISIT OF CARDINAL BURKE

His Eminence, Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke, will visit the Oratory for the second time since his elevation to the cardinalate: On January 31, 2012 (Tuesday), at 5:00PM His Eminence will be the celebrant of a Solemn Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament with Benediction. Immediately afterward, His Eminence will receive all faithful who wish to greet him in the hall during a festive reception. Please come greet the Cardinal and bring friends and family. The visit of Cardinal Burke is an opportunity for us to show our filial gratitude for his friendship and support of the work of the Institute worldwide and especially for his fatherly care for the good of Saint Francis de Sales Oratory.

CAN YOU GUESS?

This last Mystery Photo in 2011 shows again a detail of the rich sacred art work we are blessed to see every day at Saint Francis de Sales Oratory. Look around and remember: Where did you receive the greatest gift the Church offers to us every day? Go to the TraditionForTomorrow blog and drop your answer in the combox under the latest entry.

With my most sincere wishes for you and your families and friends on the occasion of the feast of the Nativity of Our Lord and a Happy New Year 2012 I ask you for your prayers for the Institute and our community at Saint Francis de Sales Oratory,

Canon Michael K. Wiener
Rector, St. Francis de Sales Oratory

Some Good Points in the Catholics Come Home Campaign Need to Be Reinforced by Catholic Parishes

Well, obviously, asking Catholics who have fallen away from the faith to reconsider the Church is a good thing, as is seeking to bring non-Catholics to the truth of the Catholic Church.  So, why the title of my post?

First, I am skeptical that the kind of ad campaign used in this effort will have major effect to convert hearts and minds.  The website and videos used are professionally produced, and seek to target the emotive response of a commercial consumer, rather than to focus on the content of the faith.  I’m not saying that hitting the emotions is wrong– we are human beings of flesh, blood and emotions.  And in a world of short attention spans, and considering the medium employed, there isn’t enough time to really drive home lots of substance.  So the problem isn’t that the ads are bad, they are merely incomplete.  And they are superficially compelling, with a similar feel to the ubiquitous “I’m Zebulon Pike and I’m a Mormon” ads.  

The issue for me is that, at best, this type of commercial campaign will get people to “try” going to Church. But what will they find when they wander in to their local parish Sunday Mass?

And here is where the video embedded above gets more right than the average Catholic parish.  Among other things, here are some good points of the video that may not be reinforced in our parishes:  

The rich intellectual tradition of the Catholic Church:  the ad reminds us that the Church, far from being the backwards opponent of scientific progress, has done more to advance the cause of scientific and intellectual development than any other institution.  How well do our schools impart a total Catholic formation that integrates the truths of faith and the truths of the created world?  Even in schools that teach the truths of the faith, there is usually a secular compartmentalization of the “the faith” (internal, private, imminent and not to be forced on others) with “science” (real, objective, opposed to faith and superior to faith).  Our schools’ approach often–by lack of integration– relegates the faith to the realm of the imaginary, instead of acknowledging that truth is one and entire, and cannot suffer contradiction in either Catholic dogmas or in the physical world. 

The Catholic Church, inspired by God, compiled the Bible:  Yes, that Bible:  the Bible that is used by non-Catholics to lure away Catholics from the Church; the Bible that Catholics supposedly don’t read, don’t understand, and don’t follow.  This is the Bible that every person on earth can thank the Catholic Church for compiling and promulgating.  Without the Catholic Church, there is no Bible.  The Church defined it, is the authority over its interpretation, and is the authority over its rightful use.  Do our parishes make this point effectively?  In the multiplicity of readings at Masses, in the pulpits, do Catholics hear this preached?  Do Catholics know that it is impossible for the Catholic Church to be “unbiblical”?  How many former Catholics were duped by religious sects into abandoning the only truly biblical Church on the charge of being unbibilical?  Do pastors warn their flocks about the dangers of participating in protestant Bible studies, where heterodox interpretations of scripture are inevitable? 

The Catholic Church is the one true Church:  the video soft-sells this one a bit (as have many modern pastors with disastrous results), but makes the point that the Catholic Church has the fullness of Christian faith, has an unbroken history of 2,000 years of apostolic succession and that the Popes have led the Church “in truth”.  How many parishes reinforce this point, or even believe it enough to teach it?  Catholics are told from the pulpits to dialogue with other religions and denominations.  They see the example of pastors and prelates willing to engage in common prayer (at best) or even communio in sacris (at worst) with just about any religion.  They are told not to judge, and rightly so.  But are they ever informed that “Hey, you are right to be Catholic, and that there is a very good reason to be one”?  Do the pastors really stress the need for baptism of our children as soon as possible after birth?  Or are they told it doesn’t really matter? 

The vital importance of the Mass:  the Mass and the reality of the Eucharist are depicted in several shots of the Mass and Eucharistic Adoration/Benediction.  I won’t go into Forms, but are the Masses of our local parishes celebrated with at least as much reverence as shown on this video?  Do our parishes have Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction? 

The “little things” are important:  I say “little things” as a shorthand, because these may not in fact be “little things” at all.  What does this video show?:  The “clericalism” of priests dressed as priests, doing priestly things.  Religious brothers and sisters dressed as religious brothers and sisters.  Girls–wearing veils (!)– kneeling (!) to receive Holy Communion on their tongues (!) from a priest (!) with an altar boy holding a paten to prevent profanation of the Sacred Host (!).  Throw in the beauties of worship like incense, beautiful Churches, sacred vestments, etc. and you’ve really got something.  In the video, I mean.  Only you can answer the question of how often these “little things” are present in your parishes.  

In short, my take on the Catholics Come Home campaign is this– it is a good effort, but will those we convince to reconsider the faith actually recognize what they see at the local parish as consistent with what in the ad campaign convinced them to give the faith another try?