Te igitur

5/18/13

5/17/13

Friday - How You would Help Jesus?

Just amazing photo from the Way of the Cross in Mexico

Friday Fast - no meat today.
This you can handle.

5/16/13

Latin - Safeguard Against Corruptions of True Doctrine

Orders

Order of Saint Stanislaus

The Knights of Columbus

Knights of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre

Dames of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre

Health of the Sick

The representation of Our Lady is that of the Orante with hands folded in prayer of intercession. But the image also expresses Mary’s “compassion,” her suffering with those who suffer: “Quis infirmatur et ego non infirmor” (attributed to Saint Paul). Mary is not the ultimate source of health and redemption (salus). It is God himself who heals all our infirmities, as indicated in Psalm 103:3 topping the whole page.

The image of Mary is surrounded by the symbols of the apothecary and medical professions. The lower half of the illustration contrasts sickness (a sick person on her sick bed) and healing (possibly an allusion to the pool of Bethesda). “Health of the Sick,” Mary is a true physician. But her medical equipment is not the stethoscope. She acts as a healer by radiating holiness (virtue).

Source

5/15/13

Canon Missae - Pure from Every Error

Council of Trent

SESSION THE TWENTY-SECOND

DOCTRINE ON THESACRIFICE OF THE MASS

CHAPTER IV
On the Canon of the Mass.

And whereas it beseemeth, that holy things be administered in a holy manner, and of all holy things this sacrifice is the most holy; to the end that it might be worthily and reverently offered and received, the Catholic Church instituted, many years ago, the sacred Canon, so pure from every error, that nothing is contained therein which does not in the highest degree savour of a certain holiness and piety, and raise up unto God the minds of those that offer. For it is composed, out of the very words of the Lord, the traditions of the apostles, and the pious institutions also of holy pontiffs.

CHAPTER VIII.
On not celebrating the Mass every where in the vulgar tongue; the mysteries of the Mass to be explained to the people.

Although the mass contains great instruction for the faithful people, nevertheless, it has not seemed expedient to the Fathers, that it should be every where celebrated in the vulgar tongue. Wherefore, the ancient usage of each church, and the rite approved of by the holy Roman Church, the mother and mistress of all churches, being in each place retained; and, that the sheep of Christ may not suffer hunger, nor the little ones ask for bread, and there be none to break it unto them, the holy Synod charges pastors, and all who have the cure of souls, that they frequently, during the celebration of mass, expound either by themselves, or others, some portion of those things which are read at mass, and that, amongst the rest, they explain some mystery of this most holy sacrifice, especially on the Lord's days and festivals.

CANON VI.--If any one saith, that the canon of the mass contains errors, and is therefore to be abrogated; let him be anathema.

CANON IX.--If any one saith, that the rite of the Roman Church, according to which a part of the canon and the words of consecration are pronounced in a low tone, is to be condemned; or, that the mass ought to be celebrated in the vulgar tongue only; or, that water ought not to be mixed with the wine that is to be offered in the chalice, for that it is contrary to the institution of Christ; let him be anathema.

Stella Matutina

Morning Star

This scene tells about the combat between light and darkness. Eventually, morning is breaking. The giant rooster announces the rising sun, while the roaring lion takes flight and the incubi of the night (frightening bats and dragons) sail away in a dark cloud. Taking advantage of the first light of day a ship leaves harbor. The lemma proclaims Jesus’ message to the churches: “I am the root and offspring of David, the bright morning star” (Revelation 22:16). He is the promised one seen by the prophet Balaam. “A star shall advance from Jacob.” However, in this illustration this expression decorates the radiating star with the bust of Mary, which dominates the page.

"Stella matutina," also known as "stella Marina" and "Lux matutina" (12C), and as "stella maris" used by Saint Bernard to explain the meaning of the name "Mary," suggests and announces the rising sun of justice, Jesus Christ (Malachi. 4:3). The glory of her light is but light from eternal light, and praise of the never-ending light of God's love for us.
Source

The Rise of the Morning Star

5/14/13

Temporal and Spiritual Army

Nuns and Soldiers - both needed.

Cappa Magna on the Streets of Kraków in 2013

Canon of Wawel Cathedral and Protonotary Apostolic.

Once a year, during the procession of Saint Stanislaus, Canons of the Chapter of the Wawel Cathedral put on the canonical Cappa Magnas (or maybe Cappa Parva - does anyone know?)

As you see on the pictures, the train of the copes is not extended, but rolled up on the left, because canons do not have full jurisdiction. Only local bishop or cardinal could use the Cappa Magna with the extended train, as the symbol of his jurisdiction.
The use of this garment is also very symbolic and proper for this procession, since it symbolizes the readiness to shed the blood for the faith, as did our Patron Saint Stanislaus.

Here how it looks from the back. The hood is placed over the head during a penitential act.

Folded train of the Cappa Magna

Ianua Coeli

Lift up your heads, o gates

Gate of Heaven

The elaborately baroque gate serves as Mary's throne. Her effigy is surrounded by stars and clouds. Her outstretched arms suggest openness, receptiveness. The open gate leads into an enclosed garden, symbol of her virginity. The angel with shield and flaming sword protects the open gate, which can be assimilated with the gates of paradise. The angel proclaims these words, "He has opened the gates of heaven" (Psalm 78:23). On the other side of the gate we discover the presence of the ladder of Jacob, with Jacob sleeping at its foot and angels moving up and down (Genesis 28).

The origin of this Marian allegory can be found in the Acts of the Council of Eplesus 431 (Homily for the Annunciation, 428, by Proclus of Constantinople or Cyzikus). The homily is based on Ezekiel 44:1-3, and thus alludes at the gate which shall remain closed, since the Lord has entered by it. The expression can be found in the "Ave Maria Stella" ("felix porta caeli"), eighth/ninth centies, but also in the "Alma Redemptoris" and the "Ave Regina Coelorum," twelfth century.

The lemma is taken from Psalm 24, "Lift up your heads, o gates."

Source

5/13/13

Hatred of Latin is in the Hearts of All Enemies of Rome

"Hatred for the Latin language is inborn in the heart of all enemies of Rome. They recognize it as the bond of Catholics throughout the universe, as the arsenal of orthodoxy against all the subtleties of the sectarian spirit. They consider it the most efficient weapon of the papacy. The spirit of rebellion which drives them to confide the universal prayer to the idiom of each people, of each province, of each century, has for the rest produced its fruits and the reformed themselves constantly perceive that the Catholic people, in spite of their Latin prayers, relish better and accomplish with more zeal the duties of cult than the Protestant people (...)

We must admit it is a master blow of Protestantism to have declared war on the sacred language. If it should ever succeed in destroying it, it would be well on its way to victory."

~ Dom Prosper Guéranger

Canons of Krakow

For the glory of the Holy Church.

This purple colour manifests the Most Precious Blood and Agony of our Lord and His Church

Foederis Arca

Ark of the Covenant

Mary's portrait is partially contained in the representation of the Ark of the Covenant. It is surrounded by religious Jewish symbols. Mary's image bears elegant features, the gestures of her hands seem to point to her womb, the true Ark of the Covenant. The inscription in the margin reads, "Arise Lord, come to your resting place, you and your majestic ark" (Psalm 132:8).

The Marian interpretation of the Ark of the Covenant is known since the Council of Ephesus (see: Proclus of Constantinople, 446). Several analogies can be established between Mary and the Ark of the Covenant: the Ark was the throne of God, Mary is the true "Christophora;" the Ark contained the tables of the law, Mary's womb bore the one who is the law of the new covenant; the Ark was precious and beautiful, made in gold, Mary's soul is adorned with the beauty of her virtues; the Ark was a warranty for victory, Mary has been victorious in the battles of God (Pius XII); the Ark found a place in the inner "sanctum" of the Temple, Mary was assumed into heaven.

"What God has made clean, you are not to call unclean (profane)" (Acts 10:15)

Source

5/12/13

Krakow Nuns - The Best

I personally believe that thanks to this humble and hardworking Ladies (and those closed behind the bars of the contemplative monasteries) we have still in Poland some faith. These Women give their witness every day in schools, hospitals, churches, street teaching us and wearing their habits (since most priests have abandoned their cassocks). They remind us every 5 minutes – there is eternal life, there is God!

We need more witnesses like this. Priests, wear also your cassocks (not only priestly shirts). We, lay faithful, desperately need your witness.

Please pray for them as they pray for you!

Procession of St. Stanislaus in Krakow - May 12th, 2013

Saint Stanislaus of Szczepanow

Every year on the Sunday following the feast of saint Stanisaus (bishop-saint of Krakow) on May 8th the procession from the Wawel Cathedral, where the grave of the saint is located, to the place of his death – Skałka – takes place since 1254.

The procession is a real marvel to look at: relics of saints and the blessed from the Kraków Archdiocese – including St Stanislaus, St Brother Albert, St Faustina, St Jacek (Hyacinth), and St Florian – are carried together with plenty of feretra, banners, figures and other religious symbols. Participants in the procession include representatives of the clergy, universities, the city council and brotherhoods; also participating in folk costumes are congregations from various parts of the region and the country, and plenty of people from Kraków and the surrounding neighbourhood. Notably, the departure of the procession from Wawel is accompanied by the sound of the Sigismund Bell, which “speaks” only at times of great importance for the country and the city.

See also photos from 2011 procession:
Grand Procession of Saint Stanislaus
People of all States United in Faith
Canons of Krakow
Polish Sisters are Best in World
Cracovia Birettarum
Holy Sisters the More the Better
Sisters of Saint Albert
Cappa Magna
What Order is That?