St. Bartholomew, Apostle - Mass Propers

                St. Bartholomew

The Apostle Bartholomew was a Galilean. In the division of the world among the Apostles it fell to his lot to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in hither India. He went thither and preached to those nations the coming of the Lord Jesus, according to the Gospel of St. Matthew. When he had turned many in that province to Jesus Christ, and had endured many toils and woes, he came into the Greater Armenia.

St. Bartholomew, sometimes referred as Nathanael, was said to have been flayed alive before being beheaded. By association with his own fate, his most usual emblem is the flaying-knife. He is regarded as the patron saint of tanners and all who work at skins.

Bartholomew was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. He has been identified with Nathanael (alternatively spelled Nathaniel),who appears in the Gospel according to John as being introduced to Christ by Philip (who would also become an apostle),[Jn 1:43-51] although most modern commentators reject the identification of Nathanael with Bartholomew

Art and literature

The account of Bartholomew being skinned alive is the most represented in works of art, and consequently Bartholomew is often shown with a large knife, holding his own skin (as in Michelangelo's Last Judgment), or both. In Avezzano, in Abruzzo the image of the Saint who is holding his own skin has become the symbol of the city. Archaeological research has shown that the cult of Saint Bartholomew began in Avezzano, because the previous presence of a temple dedicated to Heracles, which is always represented in the act of holding the skin of the Nemean Lion. There is, therefore, a solid relationship between the two iconographies and the re-semantization of the symbols Heracles/Physical Strength/Hero and Bartholomew/Power of Faith/Hero-Martyr. Bartholomew is also the patron saint of tanners.

 

St Bartholomew from The Last Judgment, Sistine Chapel, Vatican - Michaelangelo

Miracles

Of the many miracles performed by Bartholomew before and after his death, two very popular ones are known by the townsfolk of the small island of Lipari.

The people of Lipari celebrated his feast day annually. The tradition of the people was to take the solid silver and gold statue from inside the Cathedral of St Bartholomew and carry it through the town. On one occasion, when taking the statue down the hill towards the town, it suddenly became very heavy and had to be set down. When the men carrying the statue regained their strength, they lifted it a second time. After another few seconds, it got even heavier. They set it down and attempted once more to pick it up. They managed to lift it but had to put it down one last time. Within seconds, walls further downhill collapsed. If the statue had been able to be lifted, all the towns people would have been killed.

During World War II, the Fascist regime (German/Italian) looked for ways to finance their activities. The order was given to take the silver statue of St Bartholomew and melt it down. The statue was weighed, and it was found to be only a few grams. It was returned to its place in the Cathedral of Lipari. In reality, the statue is made from many kilograms of silver and it is considered a miracle that it was not melted down.

St Bartholomew is credited with many other miracles having to do with the weight of objects.

Tradition

Eusebius of Caesarea's Ecclesiastical History (5:10) states that after the Ascension, Bartholomew went on a missionary tour to India, where he left behind a copy of the Gospel of Matthew. Other traditions record him as serving as a missionary in Ethiopia, Mesopotamia, Parthia, and Lycaonia. Popular traditions and legends say that Bartholomew preached the Gospel in India, then went to Greater Armenia.

Roman Breviary - Matins

We ourselves are fools because of Christ; but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak and you are strong, you are honored, but we are despised. Until that time we both hunger and thirst, we are naked, torn with fists, and we have no fixed abode. We toil, working with our hands; they cursed us, and we bless; we are persecuted, we endure and; blasphemy on us, and we pray; we have become so far as the garbage of the world, and rejected all the filth. It is not to give you the confusion as I write this, but to admonish you as my beloved son. For, had you ten thousand teachers in Christ, you do not have many fathers; it was I who, through the gospel, you have begotten in Christ.

When you are brought before kings and governors, do not think how or what you should say:  

You will be given indeed, at that very hour what you will say.

For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

Monday - Thirteenth Week after Pentecost

                St Bartholomew, Apostle

Double of the Second Class – Red Vestments

                     Missa 'Mihi Autem'

INTROIT: Psalm 138: 17

Mihi autem nimis honorati sunt amici tui, Deus: nimis confortatus est principatus eorum. Ps. Domine, probasti me, et cognovisti me: tu cognovisti sessionem meam, et resurrectionem meam. Gloria Patri

To me Thy friends, O God, are made exceedingly honorable: their principality is exceedingly strengthened.

Psalm 138: 1-2 Lord, Thou hast proved me, and known me; Thou hast known my sitting down and my rising up. 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.

COLLECT

Almighty, eternal God, Who hast bestowed on us the august and holy joy of this day by the festival of Thy blessed apostle Bartholomew, grant unto Thy Church, we beseech Thee, both to love what he believed and to preach what he taught. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God.

EPISTLE - I Corinthians 12: 27-31

Lesson from the Epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians. Brethren, you are the body of Christ, and members of member. And God indeed hath set some in the Church, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly doctors, after that miracles, then the graces of healings, helps, governments, kinds of tongues, interpretations of speeches. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all doctors? Are all workers of miracles? Have all the grace of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But be ye zealous for the better gifts.

GRADUAL - Psalm 44: 17,18

Thou shalt make them princes over all the earth: they shall be mindful of Thy name, O Lord. V. Instead of Thy fathers sons are born to Thee: therefore shall people praise Thee.

Alleluia, alleluia. V. Thee, the glorious choir of the apostles doth praise, O Lord. Alleluia.

GOSPEL - Luke 6: 12-19

At that time, Jesus went out into a mountain to pray, and He passed the whole night in the prayer of God: and when day was come, He called unto Him His disciples; and He chose twelve of them (whom also He named apostles), Simon whom He surnamed Peter, and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alpheus, and Simon who is called Zelotes, and Jude the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, who was the traitor. And coming down with them, He stood in a plain place, and the company of His disciples, and a very great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and the seacoast, both of Tyre and Sidon, who were come to hear Him, and to be healed of their diseases. And they that were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all the multitude sought to touch Him, for virtue went out from Him, and healed all.

OFFERTORY - Psalm 138: 17

To me Thy friends, O God, are made exceedingly, honorable: their principality is exceedingly strengthened.

SECRET

Commemorating the feast of Thy blessed apostle Bartholomew, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that we may obtain Thy blessings by his aid for whom we immolate sacrifices of praise to Thee. Through our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son. Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God.

PREFACE OF THE APOSTLES

It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, to entreat Thee humbly, O Lord, that Thou woulds not desert Thy flock. O everlasting Shepherd; but through Thy blessed Apostles, wouldst keep it under Thy constant protection; that it may be governed by those same rulers, whom as vicars of Thy work, Thou didst set over it to be its pastors. And therefore with Angels and Archangesl, with Thrones and Dominations, and with all the hosts of the heavenly army, we sing the hymn of The glory, evermore saying:

Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus Dóminus, Deus Sábaoth. Pleni sunt coeli et terra glória tua. Hosánna in excélsis. Benedíctus, qui venit in nómine Dómini. Hosánna in excélsis.

COMMUNION - Matthew 19: 28

You who have followed Me shall sit on seats judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Saith the Lord.

POSTCOMMUNION

May the pledge of everlasting redemption, which we have received, O Lord, be unto us, we beseech Thee, by the intercession of blessed Bartholomew Thine Apostle, an aid alike for the present and the future life. Through our Lord.

THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

 

Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost with a Commemoration of St. Philip Benizi, Confessor 

           Semi-Double/Green   

       Missa “Réspice, Dómine”

“Arise, go thy way for thy faith hath made thee whole.”

The liturgy for the Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost shows us that by faith we put all our hope in Jesus, for He is our Refuge and we ask for the virtue of charity, which renders us lovers of the divine law and practitioners of it. Let us pray for an increase of faith, hope and charity.

The Collect which prays for an increase of this – faith, hope and charity – re-echoes the teaching of the Apostle in the Epistle and that of the Master in the Gospel. The Jews wanted to impose the Mosaic law on Christians; St Paul shows to the Galatians that it is not this law which gives holiness to souls, since, before the law, Abraham, father of the Jewish people, was sanctified by his faith in Jesus. All those, therefore, Jews or pagans, who enter into the Church and put their faith in the merits of the Passion of Christ will be saved.

 Our Divine Savior indeed heals all the lepers, Jews or Samaritans, who have recourse to Him. ” Arise,” said Jesus to the latter, ” thy faith hath made thee whole.” It is He Who, through His Church, gives back health to the souls of those, whether Jews or Gentiles, who come to Him, By faith we put in Jesus all our hope (Offertory) for He is our refuge (Alleluia) and we ask for the virtue of charity which makes us love the divine law (Collect) and makes us practice it (Postcommunion).

Statue of Philip Benizi on the Charles Bridge, Prague

St. Philip Benizi

Philip Benizi - (August 15, 1233 – August 22, 1285) was a general superior of the Order of the Servites, and credited with reviving the order. Pope Leo X had beatified him in 1516; and Pope Clement X canonized him as a saint in 1671.

Philip Benizi was born on August 15 in the Florentine district of Oltrarno, the day the Blessed Virgin first appeared to the Seven Founders. He became the great propagator of the Order of the Servants of Mary (the Servites). When he was elected the general superior on June 5, 1267, the order, which had long been the object of attack from enemies, entered into the crisis of its existence. The Second Council of Lyons in 1274 put into execution the ordinance of the Fourth Lateran Council, forbidding the foundation of new religious orders, and absolutely suppressing all mendicant institutions not yet approved by the Holy See. In 1276 Pope Innocent V, in a letter addressed to Philip, declared the order suppressed. 

     Philip then proceeded to Rome, but before his arrival there, Innocent V had died. The city of Forlì was part of the Papal States and, in 1283, the site of strong anti-papal sentiment was placed under interdict. Pope Martin V asked Philip to go to Forlì and try to reconcile the divided city. Eighteen-year-old Peregrine Laziosi (Latiosi), the son of a Ghibelline leader, was among those abusive towards Philip. However Philip's meeting with the initially antagonistic Peregrine helped the young man later decide to join the Servite order. 

    Saint Peregrine was canonized by Pope Benedict XIII in 1726. Philip died on August 22, 1285, during the Octave of the Assumption at Todi, where he is buried.

Réspice, Dómine, in testaméntum tuum, et ánimas páuperum tuórum ne derelínquas in finem: exsúrge, Dómine, et júdica causam tuam: et ne obliviscáris voces quæréntium te. Ps. 73:1 Ut quid, Deus, repulisti in finem, irátus est furor tuus super oves páscuæ tuae? v. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio et nunc et semper et in saecula saeculorum. Amen. 

Réspice, Dómine…

INTROIT:   Psalm 54: 17-18, 20, 23

Have regard, O Lord, to Thy covenant, and forsake not to the end the souls of Thy poor: arise, O Lord, and judge Thy cause, and forget not the voices of them that seek Thee. (Ps. 73: 1) O God, why hast Thou cast us off unto the end: why is Thy wrath enkindled against the sheep of Thy pasture? 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.

Have regard, O Lord…

COLLECT

Almighty and everlasting God, give unto us the increase of Faith, Hope and Charity: and that we may deserve to obtain what Thou dost promise, make us to love that which Thou dost command. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, Forever and ever.

COLLECT - Commemoration of Philip Benizi, Confessor

O God, Who through St. Philip, Your Confessor, gave us an outstanding example of humility, grant that Your household may follow his example by scorning worldly prosperity and ever seeking the things of heaven. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Collect for the Intercession of the Saints

Defend us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, from all dangers of mind and body: and through the intercession of the blessed and glorious Mary, ever Virgin, mother of God, of St Joseph, of Thy holy apostles, Peter and Paul, and of all the saints, in Thy loving-kindness grant us safety and peace; that, all adversities and errors being overcome, Thy Church may serve Thee in security and freedom. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, Forever and ever.

EPISTLE - Galatians 3: 16-22

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

Brethren, To Abraham were the promises made and to his seed. He saith not:” And to his seeds, “as of many but as of one: “And to Thy seed,” which is Christ. Now this I say, that the testament which was confirmed by God, the law which was made after four hundred and thirty years, doth not disannul to make the promise of no effect.For if the inheritance be of the law it is no more of promise. But God gave it to Abraham by promise. Why then was the law? It was set because of transgressions until the seed should come, to whom He made the promise, being ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not of one: but God is one. Was the law then against the promises of God? God forbid. For if there had been a law given, which could give life, verily justice should have been by the law. But the Scripture hath concluded all under sin that the promise by the faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. Thanks be to God.

GRADUAL:  Psalm 73: 20, 19, 22

Have regard, O Lord, to Thy covenant, and forsake not to the end the souls of Thy poor: Arise O Lord, and judge Thy cause: remember the reproach of Thy servants.

ALLELUIA: Psalm 89: 1

O Lord Thou hast been our refuge, from generation to generation. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL: Luke 17: 11-19

At that time, as Jesus was going to Jerusalem, He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee: and as He entered into a certain town, there met Him ten men that were lepers, who stood afar off, and lifted up their voice, saying: Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. Whom when He saw, He said: “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were made clean. And one of them, when he saw that he was made clean, went back, with a loud voice glorifying God: and he fell on his face before His feet, giving thanks: and this was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said: “Were not ten made clean? And where are the nine? There is no one found to return, and give glory to God, but this stranger.” And He said to him: “Arise, go thy way for thy faith hath made thee whole.” Laus tibi Christe

OFFERTORY:    Psalm 30: 15

In Thee, O Lord, have I hoped: I said, Thou art my God, my times are in Thy hands.

SECRET

Look graciously, O Lord, upon Thy people: graciously look upon our gifts,that, being appeased by this offering, Thou mayest both grant us pardon, and give us what we ask. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God…

The Presentation in the Temple, with St Philip Benizi on the left and St. Pellegrino Laziosi (Latiosi) on the right - Filippo Lippi

SECRET - Commemoration of Philip Benizi, Confessor

Grant us, we beseech You, almighty God, that the offering of our lowliness may be pleasing to You in honor of Your Saints and may purify us in both body and mind.

Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord

SECRET- for the Intercession of the Saints

Graciously hear us, O God our Saviour, and, by virtue of this Sacrament, defend us from all enemies of soul and body, bestowing upon us Thy grace here and Thy glory hereafter. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, Forever and ever. R.Amen.

PREFACE OF THE MOST HOLY TRINITY

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, ever-lasting God: Who, together with Thine only-begotten Son, and the Holy Ghost, are one God, one Lord: not in the oneness of a single Person, but in the Trinity of one substance. For what we believe by Thy revelation of Thy glory, the same do we believe of Thy Son, the same of the Holy Ghost, without difference or separation. So that in confessing the true and everlasting Godhead, distinction in persons, unity in essence, and equality in majesty may be adored. Which the Angels and Archangels, the Cherubim also and Seraphim do praise: who cease not daily to cry out with one voice saying:

Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus Dóminus, Deus Sábaoth. Pleni sunt coeli et terra glória tua. Hosánna in excélsis. Benedíctus, qui venit in nómine Dómini. Hosánna in excélsis.

COMMUNION - Wisdom 16: 20

Thou hast given us, O Lord, bread from Heaven, having in it all that is delicious, and the sweetness of every taste.

POSTCOMMUNION

We who have received the heavenly Sacraments, beseech Thee, O Lord, that we may increasingly advance towards eternal redemption. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God…

POSTCOMMUNION - Commemoration of Philip Benizi, Confessor

We pray You, almighty God, that we who have received heavenly nourishment may thereby, through the intercession of blessed Philip, Your Confessor, be sustained against all harm and danger. Through Jesus Christ.

Postcommunion for the Intercession of the Saints

May the gift of this Divine Sacrament which we have offered, cleanse us and defend us, we beseech Thee, O Lord; and through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of God, of St. Joseph, of Thy holy apostles Peter and Paul, and of all the saints, free us from all iniquity and deliver us from all adversity. Through the Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God.

FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE HEART OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

 

FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY 

Commemoration of Ss. Timothy, Hippolytus, and Symphorian 

In the Twelfth week after Pentecost  

                    Double/II Class/White               

                       Missa “Adeámus”

Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary has always flourished in the Church, but its first official approval did not come until the beginning of the 19th century, when Pope Pius VI approved, for certain religious organizations, a Feast for the Most Pure Heart of Mary. The devotion was approved for the universal Church when Pope Pius XII dedicated all mankind to the Heart of Mary in December 1942, following this by the institution of the new Feast of the Immaculate Heart of the BVM 

INTROIT: Hebrews 4:16

Let us go with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace in seasonable aid. (Ps. 44: 2) My heart hath uttered a good word: I speak my works to the King. 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. 

COLLECT

Almighty, everlasting God, who didst prepare in the Heart of the Virgin Mary a worthy dwelling-place for the Holy Ghost, mercifully grant that we, devoutly contemplating the festivity of the same Immaculate Heart, may be enabled to live according to Thy heart. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, Forever and ever.

COLLECT for Commemoration of Ss. Timothy, Hippolytus, and Symphorian

O Lord, we beseech Thee, graciously lend us Thine assistance, and through the intercession of Thy blessed martyrs Timothy, Hippolytus, and Symphorian, extend over us the right hand of Thy mercy.  Through our Lord.

EPISTLE:   Eccles. 24: 23-31

As the vine, I have brought forth a pleasant odor, and my flowers are the fruit of honor and riches. I am the mother of fair love, and of fear, and of knowledge, and of holy hope. In me is all grace of the way, and in me is all truth, all hope of life, and of virtue. Come over to me, all ye that desire me, and be filled with my fruits; for my spirit is sweeter than honey, and my inheritance is sweeter than honey and the honeycomb. My memory is unto everlasting generations. They that eat me shall yet hunger; and they that drink me shall yet thirst. He that hearkeneth to me shall not be confounded, and they that work by me shall not sin. They that explain me shall have everlasting life.

GRADUAL: Psalm 12:6

My heart shall rejoice in thy salvation: I will sing to the Lord, who giveth me good things: yea, I will sing to the name of the Lord, the most high. V. (Ps. 44: 18) They shall remember thy name throughout all generations. Therefore shall people praise thee forever: yea, forever and ever.

Alleluia: Luke 1: 46, 47

My soul doth magnify the Lord. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL: John 19: 26-27

At that time, there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus, therefore, had seen His mother and the disciple standing, whom He loved, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold thy son.” After that, He said to the disciple, “Behold, thy mother.” And from that hour, the disciple took her to his own home. Praise be to Christ.

OFFERTORY:    Luke 1:46

My spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior; because He that is mighty hath done great things to me: and holy is His name.

SECRET

Offering the Immaculate Lamb to Thy Majesty, O Lord, we beg that the divine fire which ineffably inflamed the Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary may be lighted in our hearts. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God…

Secret: Commemoration of Ss. Timothy, Hippolytus, and Symphorian

May the sacrifice of a consecrated people be acceptable to Thee, O Lord, for the honor of Thy Saints, through whose merits they know that they have received help in tribulation. Through our Lord.

PREFACE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty and eternal God: and that we should praise, bless, and proclaim Thee in the Assumption of the blessed Mary, ever virgin: who conceived Thine only begotten Son by the overshadowing of the Holy Ghost; and losing not the glory of her virginity, gave forth to the world the eternal Light, Jesus Christ our Lord, through Whom the angels praise Thy majesty, Dominations worship, Powers stand in awe: the Heavens and the hosts of heaven, with blessed Seraphim, unite, exult, and celebrate; and we entreat that Thou wouldst bid our voices also to be heard with theirs, singing in lowly praise:

SANCTUS

SANCTUS, SANCTUS, SANCTUS Dominus Deus Sabaoth. Pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria Tua. Hosanna in excelsis.  Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini. Hosanna in excelsis.

COMMUNION: John 19: 27

Jesus said to His mother: Woman, behold thy son. Then He said to the disciple: Behold thy mother. And from that hour, the disciple took her to his own.

POSTCOMMUNION

Now that we have received, O Lord, the Sacrament of salvation, grant, we beseech Thee, that through the merits and the intercession of the blessed Virgin Mary, who was taken up into heaven, we may be brought to the glory of the resurrection. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God. Forever and ever.

Postcommunion: Commemoration of Ss. Timothy, Hippolytus, and Symphorian

Filled with the abundance of Thy divine gifts, we beseech Thee, O Lord, our God, that, by the intercession of Thy holy martyrs, Timothy, Hippolytus, and Symphorian, we may live forever through the participation therein.  Through our Lord.

 

FIFTH DAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF THE ASSUMPTION - AUGUST 20

 

It is a great thing for a saint to have as much grace as would suffice for many; but if he had sufficient for all men in the world, that would be fullness of measure: and this is the case with Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin. So speaks the prince of theologians with regard to her whom Suarez salutes as the universal cause, intimately united to the Lord her Son. 

A higher authority than that of the School has confirmed this teaching of the Angelic Doctor; in his encyclical Magnæ Dei Matris, the Sovereign Pontiff Leo XIII. has deigned to make his own the words we have just quoted; and he adds: When, therefore, we hail Mary as full of grace, we awaken the recollection of her sublime dignity and of the redemption of the human race, wrought by God through her intermediary; moreover, we call to mind the divine and eternal relationship whereby she is associated with Christ in his joys and his sorrows, his humiliations and his triumphs, in ruling and aiding men with a view to their eternal welfare.  

St. Bernardine of Sienna compares our Lady to the fountain mentioned in Genesis, which sprang from the earth and watered its whole surface. And, as it is well to know the different expressions of the different schools, we may add that the illustrious representative of the Seraphic Order recognises in Mary what he calls a sort of jurisdiction or authority over every temporal procession of the Holy Ghost, because, he continues, she is the Mother of him from whom the Holy Ghost proceeds; and therefore all the gifts, graces, and virtues of this Holy Spirit are administered by her hands, distributed to whom she wills, when she wills, as she wills, and as much as she wills. 

We must not, however, conclude from these words that the Blessed Virgin has a right, properly so called, over the Holy Ghost or his gifts. Nor may we ever consider our Lady to be in any way a principle of the Holy Ghost, any more than she is of the Word himself as God. The Mother of God is great enough not to need any exaggeration of her titles. All that she has, she has, it is true, from her Son, by whom she is the first redeemed. But in the historical order of the accomplishment of our salvation, the divine predilection, whereby she was chosen to be Mother of the Saviour, made her to be the source of the source of life, according to the expression of St. Peter Damian. Moreover, being Bride as perfectly as she was Mother, and united, in the fullness of all her powers of nature and of grace to all the prayers, to all the sufferings, to the whole oblation of the Son of Man, as his truly universal co-operator in the time of his sorrow: what wonder that she should, in the days of his glory, have a Bride's full share in the dispensation of the goods acquired in common, though differently, by the new Adam and the new Eve? Even if Jesus were not bound in justice to give it to her, who would expect such a Son to act otherwise?

Bossuet, who cannot be suspected of being carried away, and whom we therefore quote by preference, did not consider his necessary controversies with heresy an excuse for not following the doctrine of the saints. God, says he, having once willed to give us Jesus Christ by the holy Virgin, the gifts of God are without repentance, and this order remains unchanged. It is and ever will be true that, having received by her charity the universal principle of grace, we also receive through her mediation its various applications in all the different states whereof the Christian life is made up. Her maternal love, having contributed so much to our salvation in the mystery of the Incarnation, which is the universal principle of grace, will eternally contribute to it in all the other operations which are but dependent on the first.  

Theology recognises three principal operations of the grace of Jesus Christ: God calls us, justifies us, and gives us perseverance. Vocation is the first step; justification is our progress; perseverance ends the voyage and gives us in our true country glory and rest, which are not to be found on earth. Mary's charity takes part in these three works. Mary is the Mother of the called, of the justified, and of the persevering; her fruitful charity is a universal instrument of the operations of grace. '  

This noble language is an authentic testimony to the tradition of the holy Church of Gaul, which, by its Irenæus , its Bernard, its Anselm, and so many others, made France the kingdom of Mary. May the present teachers put to profit what they have inherited from their great predecessors, and continue to sound the inexhaustible depths of mystery in Mary; so that one day they may deserve to hear from her lips that word of Eternal Wisdom: They that explain me shall have life everlasting.

We borrow from the ancient processional of our English St. Editha the beautiful Responsory   Quæ est ista; after which we will give a series of other graceful Responsories written in metre, which are to be found in the Antiphoner of Sens, 1552. 

RESPONSORIES

R. Who is this that hath penetrated the heavens? At whose passage the Saviour came to meet her and introduced her into his Royal Chamber, where music and hymns resound: * Which the Angels sing unceasingly, forever praising the Eternal King.

V. O Virgin unspeakably venerable, to whom Michael the Archangel and all the angelic hosts pay honour, whom they behold exalted above the heaven of heavens.

* Which the Angels.

Glory be to the Father.

* Which the Angels.

R. Holy first fruits does the Son offer to his Father. * The virginal flower, lovely in its snowy whiteness.

V. No heat has scorched it , nor night-cold withered it. * The virginal flower.

R. Through the fruit of virginity, of the heavenly kingdom, * The loss incurred by eating the forbidden fruit is repaired.

V. The sacred hierarchy rejoices that its diminished number is restored, * The loss incurred.

R. After the fall, virginity is the first to recover heaven. * First of all in the Son, then in his Blessed Mother.

V. The heavenly ranks revere holy virginity. * First of all.

R. The gate of Zion enters the gate of closed Paradise. * Which our first mother had closed to herself and the whole world.

V. To the spotless Mother, the gate of heaven is opened. * Which our first.

R. The Blessed Virgin received the one thing she requested. * To enjoy the face of the Lord for all eternity. The divine bounty both prevented and surpassed her desire. * To enjoy.

R. While she mounts the fifteen steps to the palace of life. * The Virgin deserved to rise above the Angelic heights.

V. Next to her Son, the Mother merited to surpass all others. * The Virgin.

The Virgin brought forth the beautiful Spouse of the Church. * Who is both God and Man united in one Person.

V. Thus he placed his Mother with him on his heavenly throne. * Who is.

Glory be to the Father.

* Who is. 

The following hymn was composed by St. Peter Damian:

HYMN

As a brilliant aurora, Mary rises to the heights of heaven, glittering like the sun, most beautiful like the moon. Today the Queen of the world ascends to her throne of glory, the Mother of that Son who was begotten before the Day-Star. She is raised above the Angels and passes beyond the Archangels; this one woman surpasses all the merits of the Saints. Him, whom she had cherished in her bosom, she placed in a manger; now she beholds him King over all in the glory of his Father. O Virgin of virgins, implore for us thy Son: by thee he received of ours, through thee may he give us of his own. To thee, O Most High, be praise who wast born of the Virgin: be honour to thy ineffable Father and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.