GAUDE, perdolens Mater

I wasn't able to post something for yesterday's feast of the Holy Cross but I'll do so today. Just some of my choicest photos of the Cross and of course of the sorrowful Mother. I have one here which I'll show at the end. I'll be off to see the doctor today as I haven't been feeling well these days. I fear another case of walking pneumonia, but I hope to get over with this in a few days, and I'll be up and about in no time.

Vexilla regis prodeunt,
Fulget crucis mysterium,
Qua vita mortem pertulit
Et morta vitam protulit.

[Abroad the royal banners fly
And bear the gleaming Cross on high-
That Cross whereon Life suffered death
And gave us life with dying breath.]

Stabat mater dolorosa

juxta Crucem lacrimosa,

dum pendebat Filius.

Cuius animam gementem,

contristatam et dolentem

pertransivit gladius.

At the Cross her station keeping,
stood the mournful Mother weeping,
close to her son to the last.
Through her heart, His sorrow sharing,
all His bitter anguish bearing,
now at length the sword has passed.

SALVE SANCTA PARENS

What child could forget to greet his mother on her special day? As the whole Christian world celebrates the birth of Blessed Mary, the Mother of God and mine, in her honor, I'm posting the choicest images that I have of her, to the background of these words from today's liturgy:

Famulis tuis, quaesumus, Domine,
coelesti gratiae munus impertire:
ut, quibus beatae Virginis partus exstitit salutis exordium;
Nativitatis ejus votiva solemnitas,
pacis tribuat incrementum


Bestow upon Thy servants, we beseech Thee, O Lord,
the gift of Thy heavenly grace:
that as the childbearing of the Blessed Virgin was the beginning of our salvation,
so the solemn feast of her Nativity
may bring us an increase of peace.

HAIL MARY, full of grace......

....the LORD is with you, blessed are you among women......and blessed is the fruit of yourwomb, JESUS...

....HOLY MARY Mother of God....

pray for us sinners, NOW...

and at the hour of our death. AMEN.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

THE ESSENCE OF THE PRIESTHOOD IS NOT SERVICE NOR PASTORAL WORK..., RATHER IT IS PRAYER WHICH IS OUR UNION WITH CHRIST...LOVING SERVICE AND AN ARDENT APOSTOLATE SPRINGS FROM IT AS ITS FRUIT.

A Jewel of a Blog and the Papal Sacristy

Thanks to NLM (New Liturgical Movement blog) I've come across what could be a treasure trove for people who are fascinated with old (and even new) photos of traditional liturgy. It's entitled Ceremonia Y Rubrica de la Iglesia Espanola. And while I was happily perusing through its forumas I came across one article about the papal sacristy. Here are some of the photos I managed to get from it. So this is how it looks like:

Some of these chasubles are recognizable....

particularly this one, which, I believe, was used by the Holy Father during Pentecost this year.

The familiar ferula (or papal staff) used by popes since Pope Paul VI until the present one, though Ben16 has preferred to go back to using the more older ones and has even had a new one made, which is much lighter.

Ex tenebrae, lux!

We had an experience of the supernatural last night, around midnight, the boys and I....inexplicable, let's leave it at that, and I can't remember being so frightened in my life... it's a continued proof that in this world we call modern the diabolic could exist. But from a seemingly dark and terrifying experience light could still shine. I have my faith renewed and despite of whatever malign presence which may lurk in the shadows and make your hair stand on end, my heart grows stouter knowing that under our roof is a stronger Presence reserved in the Tabernacle, potent to drive any evil influences at work...Stay with us O Lord, for the day is almost done, and the darkness seems to engulf us...