The Sequence of Easter

The Sequence in the Gregorian Rite is a rare thing. One of the more radical changes made by St. Pius V in the Missal of 1570 was the reduction in the number of Sequences to four - with the Stabat Mater Dolorosa added by the saintly Pope Benedict XIII in 1727, perhaps incongruously for the rank of the feast, for the Seven Dolours of Our Lady in Passion Week.

The other four are the Sequences of Easter, Victimae Pascali Laudes, of Pentecost, Veni Sancte Spiritus, of Corpus Christi, Lauda Sion Salvatorem, and All Souls, Dies Irae.

The Sequence is a hymn that is sung on particular feasts immediately before the Gospel. Taken with the long Tract of the First Sunday of Lent, the effect can be the heightening of expectation before the singing of the Gospel. However, the Sequence, unlike the Introit and the Gradual and Alleluia, seems to emphasise the text over the music. That is to say, there are generally fewer notes per syllable, making the Sequences resemble speech more closely. That would seem to indicate that the Church intended the text of the Sequence to be far more like a Lesson (a reading) than a Chant. It seems to me, therefore, that the faithful should give great attention to the Sequences, both as hymnody and as texts upon which to meditate.

In the first clip, the ladies from gloria.tv sing the usual chant version of Victimae Pascali Laudes. It is rhythmic and syllabic. It is also strophed, which is a common feature of the Sequences. That is to say, the melody of each line is repeated in the next. Compare this with the other four 'original' sequences.

The second clip has an irresistable energy to it that may not be quite correct as plain chant but, as liturgical music, does not depart very far from Gregorian Chant itself, while being a distinctive form. It certainly captures the victorious and triumphant theme of Easter.

Traditional Banner Making

Last year I was asked if I would make a banner for The Sodality of Our Lady in Dublin. A few brief sketches on the back of some scraps of paper accompanied the request and I found myself agreeing to take on the task. Exciting yes, but something that perhaps given my lack of knowledge of banners and experience of this type of sewing, somewhat rash to agree to! Work started in earnest in early 2011 and it took around six months to complete, working as and when I had the time. In terms of hours it took approximately 80 working hours.

Deciding on the design proved to be surprisingly problematic. A quick search on google provided much research material with banners ranging from large ornate, hand stitched, heavily embroidered designs costing many hundreds or sometimes even thousands of Euros to more simple designs though all coming in at a significant cost. Throughout the project, the banner design changed quite often as new ideas emerged, with pelmets being added and removed, the shape of the bottom edge changing and even the whole thing increasing in size!

The fabric chosen for the banner was a white ‘moiré’, a form of synthetic ‘water marked’ taffeta-style fabric purchased after a lot of searching by special order from a store in England. This type of fabric is often used for Roman vestments.

The basic layout of the front of the banner was one thing that remained the same from the begining, with a central panel to feature an image of Our Lady and wording to be set round it. These, it was decided, would be stitched out using machine embroidery and hand embellishment - a decision on the letters I was later to much regret! There are many on-line stores selling machine embroidery designs and many hours went into searching through them. In the end, three different designs for the central image were purchased and stitched out before the current one was selected and I think it is by far the best.

Once the image of Our Lady had been chosen and the thread colour decided on, it was stitched out by the machine onto the final fabric. The basic design was completed, the fabric was then hooped, interfacing placed behind it to support the weight and some areas were filled in with hand stitching (shown in the final pictures). I felt that beads would add some depth to the design. I used longer beads sewn into Our Lord’s halo. For Our Lady’s hundreds of tiny beads were strung and two rows were sewn along the top edge of her halo, each one being caught individually into place in order to get the shape. This beading alone was the work of several evenings, and was probably the most fiddly element.

In January we visited Rome to purchase items for the banner and acquired from Serpone the banner pole, finial and the gold trim, beautiful but not cheap! The fringing was purchased more inexpensively from a market stall providing fringing and trim largely for upholstery work.

The designs for the back of the banner were chosen and stitched out on the embroidery machine. The emblem of the sodality, a fleur de lys in a crown of thorns was combined on the computer specially for the project. In order to keep the banner against the pole a strip of fabric was stitched between the emblems with a velco fastening to hold it around the pole.

The lettering on the front of the banner proved much more time consuming. It had to be stitched in four parts and took quite a number of goes and a lot of planning to line it up. This was probably the most frustrating part of the whole thing and I think despite the time that would have been involved in hand stitching this it would probably have been a quicker option! The central panel was surrounded with trim and then hand stitched in place with several layers of wadding behind it to make it stand out from the fabric.

The trim was hand stitched in place round the outsides of the front and back panels of the banner and on the pelmet. It was quite thick trim and not easy to work with in forming the various shapes to go round the bottom of the banner and gathering it to go round the curves proved tricky. Much of the putting together the banner was done through hand stitching rather than machine because, in my experience, this makes finished pieces hang better and the recent retreat in Mount Melleray provided lots of opportunity for sewing on the trim whilst listening to the various talks.

Once the trim was in place the various layers were machine stitched together, the back panel, a layer of interfacing designed for shirt collars and cuffs, the front panel, the tabs to hold to banner over the horizontal pole and the pelmet the later two also with layers of interfacing. The interfacing was needed to help the banner to hang correctly, strengthen the fabric and so the decoration on the front did not show through from the back and vice versa. Once secured at the top the banner was hand stitched together along all the other edges..

The banner was blessed by Father Larkin during a Latin Mass held at a recent Sodality meeting in Blessed Cardinal Newman's University Church in Dublin. It has also been carried on two processions already, Corpus Christi in Cork and St Oliver Punkett at Drogheda. Amongst the other banners of the different groups attending these events I was pleased to say that it looked the part.

When asked to make the banner I did not realise what a big task it was going to be. Whilst I can sew I wouldn’t claim any particular skill, just a determination to complete things once I have decided on them! This later trait played a big role in its completion and there was certainly much to 'offer up' throughout! Into the banner has gone many evenings, much frustration and many pricked fingers, so yes, blood, sweat, toil and tears! Whilst I am largely pleased with the results, having now learnt much that I didn’t know about making a banner, there is a part of me that would like to do it again. This time I could do a really good job! It is nice to think that one has made something that will be used for years to come and that people are proud to walk behind.

An Irish Poem in Praise of the Blessed Sacrament

Whilst perusing yet another 19th-century magazine at the Internet Archive I came across this beautiful poem in praise of the Blessed Sacrament. It was written by a 12th-century Abbot of Boyle, also famed as a poet. The Irish text is followed by a translation below:

Here is the literal translation [by Professor O'Looney] of the foregoing, which was written in the twelfth century by Donogh Mór O'Daly, Abbot of Boyle, in the county Roscommon, called for the sweetness of his verses, not for the nature of their themes, the Ovid of Ireland : —

1. Not more numerous the angels in heaven under the hand of the king; not more numerous the blessed names which are upon the saints; not more numerous the things which God hath created on the face of the world, than the praises of each tongue upon the Sacrament.

2. Not more numerous the drops which are in the great tidal sea; not more numerous the fishes that swim in the bosoms of all waters; not more numerous the grasses of the world or the sands of the strand, than the praises of the holy Body of the only Son of the Father of grace.

3. Not more numerous the years in the eternal perpetuity of the King; not more numerous the divine gifts which Christ hath [in store]; not more numerous the lights which are in the King's high Paradise, than the praises to God which are truly given in the Sacrament.

4. Not more numerous the radiant stars which appear in the skies; not more numerous the words [of praise] which his clergy read for Christ; not more numerous the small streams which flow into the great sea, than the praises unceasing of the divine, blessed Body of Christ.

5. Not more numerous the letters to be seen in the Book of the Law; not more numerous the leaves of all the woods by the King made to grow; not more numerous the melodious voices which shall be heard in his kingdom for ever, than the praise of the Son of Mary oft-repeated in the Sacrament.

'Celt and Teuton In Praise of the Blessed Eucharist' in The Irish Monthly, Vol. 5 (1877), 387.

Processions, processions, processions!

The last month has been one of processions for many of us. If you attended one of the ones pictured below or others please do share your impressions in the comments box!

For me it the trilogy of processions started with a Dublin one, the May Procession at St. Joseph's Church, Dublin City, Ireland on 29 May. This was very much a local event with members of the congregation and the groups that use the Church. The weather sadly was not good and so rather than traversing the local roads around the Church the procession led by Our Lady's statue, beautifully garlanded, went to the grotto where prayers were said before returning to the Church.








The next procession was that of Corpus Christi in Cork City on 26 June, one that began more than a hundred years ago. Before the procession we attended midday Mass in the Extraordinary Form in St. Peter and Paul's Church.

The procession of the Blessed Sacrament went from the North Cathedral ending in the centre of the city with Benediction. It was a much larger more formal event than the earlier one with many different groups represented. These included the Armed Forces, local councillors and dignatories, members of different groups and ethnic communities.

This was my first experience of this type of event and I was impressed by the number of people taking part and lining the streets to watch. I believe this is the biggest Corpus Christi procession in Ireland now. I was struck by the wonderful array of colours in the varied costumes of those involved which made for quite a spectacle.

At the conclusion of the March the Bishop of Kerry addressed the crowds thronging in Daunt Square for Benediction.

This procession was the first outing for the new banner I made for the Sodality of Our Lady, but more of banner making in another post!














The final procession of the trilogy was the St. Oliver Plunkett Procession, Drogheda, Co. Louth, Ireland on the 3rd of July. This marked the feast day of St Oliver Plunkett and his relic took pride of place in the procession. Again it was a large and colourful event with representatives of many groups and indeed the the number of people in costume and their vibrancy may have exceeded those in Cork! An amazing array of banners that punctuated the parade which went from Our Lady of Lourdes Church to St Peter's Church where it culminated with Bishop Gerard Clifford saying Mass.

Masses of the Sacred Heart

I decided to write something on the Masses of the Sacred Heart.

The Sacred Heart had tough acceptance in Rome in Rome as a feast. The cause was rejected at least twice in 1726/7 and 1729 (where the Promoter Fidei, advancing the cause against the introduction was Cardinal Lambertini, later Benedict XIV).

Earlier though, in 1697, at the request of the (exiled) Queen of England, Rome permitted the Order of the Visitation (i.e. the Crder of St. Margaret Mary) to observe a feast but they did not grant a Mass or Office for the Sacred Heart. Rather, they permitted the Mass and Office of the Five Wounds. This itself has a connection - prominent in the writings of many authors on the Sacred Heart (e.g. the promoter of the cause, Fr. Gallifet) was the idea that the lance had pierced and caused a wound in the Heart of Jesus. This was also one of the reasons for the reading of the Gospel of the incident in the Mass. The idea of repearation connected with such a feast remianed a chief point in subsequent Masses.

Anyhow, in 1765, a Mass and Office for the Sacred Heart were eventually approved and extended to the dioceses of Poland, the Visitation Nuns, etc. This was the Mass Miserebor and it was heavy on the theology of reparation to the heart. Unfortunately, I only have bits and pieces of the Mass , and I'm trying to get the whole thing, so when I do, I'll probably come back and add to this. Right now, I'll skip discussion and move to the the two other Masses.

First probably, I think I will focus on the Mass Miserebitur. This was a direct descendant of the Mass Miserebor and was provided when Pius IX conceded the feast of the Sacred Heart to the Universal Church with the rank of a Major/Greater Double. It was very much focused in the Passion-Reparation idea and the Mass texts are solemn in their remembrance. It was also celebrated in Red vestments and used the preface of the Cross as was customary with feasts of the Passion.

In addition, though I won't be mentioning the Divine Office in deatil, at Prime, there is something called a proper versicle. This comes in the responsory Christ the Son of the living God have mercy on us.

Christe Fili Dei vivi, * Miserére nobis.
Christe Fili Dei vivi, * Miserére nobis.
Qui sedes ad déxteram Patris * Miserére nobis.
Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
Christe Fili Dei vivi, * Miserére nobis

On certain feasts (most of the Lord), the versicle Qui sedes i.e. '(You) Who are seated at the right hand of the Father,' was replaced by another one. So for example, on the Ascension it is, Qui scandis super sidere i.e. 'Who have ascended above the stars.' For Eastertide it is Qui surrexisti a mortis 'Who have risen from death.'

Anyway, so an example of the Passion nature of the Mass Miserebitur can also be seen in the corresponding Office versicle appointed Qui passus es propter nostram salutem, 'Who suffered for our salvation.' The text of the Mass is as follows:

Introitus Jer. In Thren. 1 Miserebitur secundum multitudinem misericordiarum suarum: non enim humiliavit ex corde suo et abiecit filios hominum: bonus est Dominus sperantibus in eum animae quaerenti illum. Ps. 88 misericordias Domini in aeternum cantabo in generationem et generationem V. Gloria Patri. Miserebitur.

Oratio Concede, quaesumus omnipotens Deus: ut qui in sanctissimo dilecti Filii tui Corde gloriantes, parecipua in nos caritatis eius beneficia recolimus: eorum partier et actu delectemur, et fructu. Per eumdem Dominum nostrum…

Lectio Isiae Prophetae c. 12
Confitebor tibi Domine quoniam iratus es mihi conversus est furor tuus et consolatus es me. Ecce Deus salvator meus fiducialiter agam et non timebo quia fortitudo mea et laus mea Dominus Deus et factus est mihi in salute. Haurietis aquas in gaudio de fontibus salvatoris . Et dicetis in illa die confitemini Domino et invocate nomen eius notas facite in populis adinventiones eius mementote quoniam excelsum est nomen eius Cantate Domino quoniam magnifice fecit adnuntiate hoc in universa terra. Exulta et lauda habitatio Sion quia magnus in medio tui Sanctus Israhel

Graduale Jer. In Thren. 1 O vos omnes qui transitis per viam adtendite et videte si est dolor sicut dolor meus V. Joan. 13 Cum dilexisset suos qui erant in mundo in finem dilexit eos

Alleluia, Alleluia. V. Matt. 13 Discite a me quia mitis sum et humilis corde et invenietis requiem animabus vestries. Alleluia.

Post Septuagismam.
Graduale Ps. 68 Improperium expectavit cor meum et miseriam: et sistinui qui simul contristaretur, et non fuit: et qui consolaretur et non inveni

Tractus Ps. 21 Ego autem sum vermis et non homo: opprobrium hominum et abiectio plebes V. Omnes videntes me deriserunt me: locuti sunt labiis moverunt caput. V. Sicut aqua effusus sum et dispersa sunt universa ossa mea factum est cor meum tamquam cera liquescens in medio ventris mei.

Temp. Pasch. Alleluia, Alleluia. V. Ps 29 Domine Deus meus clamavi ad te et sanasti me: eduxisti ab inferno animam meam Alleluia.
V. Convertisti planctum meum in gaudium mihi conscidisti saccum meum et circumdedisti me laetitia. Alleluia

Sequentia Sancti Evangelli secundum Ioahnnem c. 19
In illo tempore: Iudaei quoniam parasceve erat ut non remanerent in cruce corpora sabbato (erat enim magnus dies ille sabbati) rogaverunt Pilatum ut frangerentur eorum crura et tollerentur. Venerunt ergo milites et primi quidem fregerunt crura et alterius qui crucifixus est cum eo. Ad Iesum autem cum venissent ut viderunt eum iam mortuum non fregerunt eius crura sed unus militum lancea latus eius aperuit et continuo exivit sanguis et aqua . Et qui vidit testimonium perhibuit et verum est testimonium eius .

Secreta Tuere nos, Domine, tua tibi holocaust offerentes: ad quae, ut ferventius corda nostra pareparentur, falmmis adure tuae divinae caritatis. Qui vivis et regnas…

Offerterium Ps. 102 Benedic anima mea Domino et noli oblivisci omnes retributiones eius, qui replet in bonis desiderium tuum

Praefatio De S. Cruce
Vere dignum et iustum est, aequum et salutare, nos tibi semper, et ubique gratias agere: Domine sancte, Pater omnipotens, aeterne Deus. Qui salutem humani generis in ligno crucis constituisti: ut, unde mors oriebatur, inde vita resurgeret: et qui in ligno vincebat, in ligno quoque vinceretur, per Christum Dominum nostrum. Per quem maiestatem tuam laudant Angeli, adorant Dominationes, tremunt Potestates. Coeli, coelorumque Virtutes, ac beata Seraphim, socia exsultatione concelebrant. Cum quibus et nostras voces, ut admitti iubeas, deprecamur, supplici confessione dicentes: Sanctus.

Communio Ps. 68 Inproperium expectavit cor meum et miseriam et sustinui qui simul contristaretur et non fuit et qui consolaretur et non inveni. Alleluia.

Postcommunio Pacificis pasti delicis, et salutaribus sacramentis, te supplices exoramus, Domine Deus noster: ut, qui mitis es et humilis corde, nos a vitiorum labe purgatos, propenius facias a superbis saeculi vanitatibus abhorrere. Qui vivis et regnas…

INTROIT Lam. Of Jer. 3 He will have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies : for he does not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men : the Lord is good unto those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him, alleluia, alleluia. Ps. 88. My song shall be always of the loving-kindness of the Lord : with my mouth will I forever show your truth from one generation to another. V. Glory be to the Father. He will have compassion.

COLLECT We beseech you, Almighty God: that we who, glorying in the most sacred Heart of thy well-beloved Son, do call to mind the excellent benefits of his love towards us, may forever rejoice in its work within us and in bringing forth the fruits of the same. Through the same.

A Reading from Prophet Isaias Chp 12
And you shall say in that day: I will give thanks to thee, O Lord, for you were angry with me: your wrath is turned away, and you have comforted me. Behold, God is my saviour, I will deal confidently, and will not fear: O because the Lord is my strength, and my praise, and he is become my salvation. You shall draw waters with joy out of the saviour's fountains: And you shall say in that day: Praise the Lord, and call upon his name: make his works known among the people: remember that his name is high. Sing to the Lord, for he hath done great things: show this forth in all the earth. Rejoice, and praise, O habitation of Sion: for great is he that is in the midst of you, the Holy One of Israel.

GRADUAL Lam of Jer. 1 O all you that pass by, behold and see, if there is any sorrow like my sorrow. V. St. John 13. Having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

Alleluia, alleluia. V. St. Matt. 11. Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart : and you shall find rest for your souls. Alleluia.

In votive Masses after Septuagesima, instead of the Alleluia and the verse following is said :

TRACT Ps. 21 But I am a worm and no man: the reproach of men and the outcast of the people. V. All they that saw me have laughed me to scorn: they have spoken with the lips and wagged the head. V. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are scattered. My heart is become like wax melting in the midst of my bowels.

In Eastertide Alleluia, Alleluia. V. Ps 29 Lord, my God, I have cried out to you, and you healed me: you have led my soul out of hell. Alleluia. V. You have turned for me my mourning into joy : you have cut my sackcloth, and has surrounded me with gladness. Alleluia

The Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to John. c.19
At that time : Jews, because it was the Parasceve, that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath day, (for that was a great sabbath day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. The soldiers therefore came; and they broke the legs of the first, and of the other that was crucified with him. But after they were come to Jesus, when they saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers with a spear opened his side, and immediately there came out blood and water. And he that saw it, hath given testimony, and his testimony is true.

OFFERTORY Ps. 102 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and never forget all he hath done for thee. who satisfies your desire with good things

SECRET Defend us, O Lord, we pray you, who present this sacrifice unto you : and to the intent that our hearts may be made ready more earnestly to offer the same, vouchsafe to kindle them with the fires of your heavenly charity. Who lives and reigns…..

PREFACE of the Cross.
It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto you, O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God; who established the salvation of mankind on the tree of the Cross; that from where death came, there also life might arise again, and that he, who overcame by the tree, by the tree also might be overcome: Through Christ our Lord. Through whom the Angels praise your Majesty, the Dominations worship it, the Powers stand in awe. The Heavens and the heavenly hosts together with the blessed Seraphim in triumphant chorus unite to celebrate it. Together with these we entreat you that you may bid our voices also to be admitted while we say with lowly praise: Holy.

COMMUNION Ps. 68 My heart has expected reproach and misery ; and I looked for one who would grieve together with me, but there was none; and for one who would comfort me, and I found none.

POSTCOMMUNION O Lord our God, who has vouchsafed to feed us with the banquet of our peace, and the sacraments of our salvation : we humbly beseech you ; that as you are meek and lowly of heart, so we, being cleansed from the stains of our vices, may learn more earnestly to forsake the pride and vanities of the world. Who lives and reigns..

So you'll can well see the ideas of the Passion and Reparation. This remained the de facto Mass of the Sacred Heart until 1929.

There was however, another Mass approved. This was by Pius VI in 1788 to principally the dioceses of Venice though it was also extended to Spain and later Ireland (I've read Portugal also but not being able to confirm that). Through the Irish priests, it became widely known and diffused. In the publication of the new missal in 1920 it was supressed and remained so until 1929. A pity because I like this Mass lots. The emphasis of this Mass is very different. It focuses more on thanksgiving and the overall love of Christ in the richness of the Sacred Heart.

The difference of this Mass from Miserebitur is seen in several different ways. The vestments are white not red. The introit itself sets the tone for it - instead of the solemn 'He shall have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies' it begins with the lilting verse of the Canticles (Song of Songs) - 'Go forth you daughters of Sion ...see....him...in the day of the joy of his heart.' Instead of the Passion oriented reading on the piercing of the Heart is the beautiful discourse of our Lord - 'As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you.' The somber notes of the Communion - 'My heart has expected reproach and misery' - gives way to the joyful 'Taste and see that the Lord is good, his mercy is everlasting.'

Another main difference is the use of the preface of the Nativity outside Lent. Until 1956, this preface was used for a lot of the feasts of the Lord - the Transfiguration, Corpus Christi, etc. It links the Sacred Heart with love manifested in the Incarnation. Likewise, at Prime, instead of the versicle Qui passus is the versicle Qui natus de Maria Virgine - 'Who was born of the Virgin Mary.' When one stops to think about it, it actually has a great deal of contemplative merit. For example, this versicle links it with the feast of Corpus Christi, and the richness of the Love of Christ in the Holy Eucharist.

Enough talk! This is the Mass text.

Introitus Cant. 3 Egredimini et videte filiae Sion regem Salomonem in diademate quo coronavit eum mater sua in die disponsionis illius et in die laetitiae cordis eius. Ps. 44 Eructavit cor meum verbum bonum dico ego opera mea Regi. Gloria Patri. Egredimini.

Oratio Fac nos, Domine Iesu, sanctissimi Cordis tui virtutibus indui, et affectibus inflammari: ut et imagini bonitatis tuae conformes et tuae redemptionis mereamur esse participles. Qui vivis, et regnas, cum Deo Patre.

Lectio Epistolae beati Pauli Apostoli ad Ephesios c. 3
Fratres, mihi omnium sanctorum minimo data est gratia haec in gentibus evangelizare investigabiles divitias Christi, et inluminare omnes quae sit dispensatio sacramenti absconditi a saeculis in Deo qui omnia creavit Huius rei gratia flecto genua mea ad Patrem Domini nostri Iesu Christi ex quo omnis paternitas in caelis et in terra nominatur ut det vobis secundum divitias gloriae suae virtute corroborari per Spiritum eius in interiore homine Christum habitare per fidem in cordibus vestris in caritate radicati et fundati ut possitis conprehendere cum omnibus sanctis quae sit latitudo et longitudo et sublimitas et profundum: scire etiam supereminentem scientiae caritatem Christi ut impleamini in omnem plenitudinem Dei.

Graduale Matt. 21 Dicite filiae Sion: Ecce rex tuus venit tibi mansuetus. V. Is. 42 Non erit tristis neque turbulentus: non clamabit, nec audientur vox eius fortis.
Alleuia, Alleluia. Matt. 11 Discite a me quia mitis sum et humilis corde et invenietis requiem animabus vestries. Alleluia.

Post Septuagismam.
Graduale Ps. 68 Improperium expectavit cor meum et miseriam: et sistinui qui simul contristaretur, et non fuit: et qui consolaretur et non inveni

Tractus Ps. 21 Ego autem sum vermis et non homo: opprobrium hominum et abiectio plebes V. Omnes videntes me deriserunt me: locuti sunt labiis moverunt caput. V. Sicut aqua effusus sum et dispersa sunt universa ossa mea factum est cor meum tamquam cera liquescens in medio ventris mei.

Temp. Pasch.
Alleluia, Alleluia. V. Ps 29 Domine Deus meus clamavi ad te et sanasti me: eduxisti ab inferno animam meam Alleluia.
V. Convertisti planctum meum in gaudium mihi conscidisti saccum meum et circumdedisti me laetitia. Alleluia

Sequentia Sancti Evangellii secundum Iohannem c. 15
In illo tempore: Dixit Iesus dicipulis suis: Sicut dilexit me Pater et ego dilexi vos. Si praecepta mea servaveritis manebitis in dilectione mea sicut et ego Patris mei praecepta servavi et maneo in eius dilectione Haec locutus sum vobis ut gaudium meum in vobis sit et gaudium vestrum impleatur Hoc est praeceptum meum ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos

Maiorem hac dilectionem nemo habet ut animam suam quis ponat pro amicis suis Vos amici mei estis si feceritis quae ego praecipio vobis Iam non dico vos servos quia servus nescit quid facit dominus eius vos autem dixi amicos quia omnia quaecumque audivi a Patre meo nota feci vobis. Non vos me elegistis sed ego elegi vos et posui vos ut eatis et fructum adferatis et fructus vester maneat ut quodcumque petieritis Patrem in nomine meo det vobis

Offerterium 1 Paralip. 29 Domine Deus, in simplicitate cordis mei laetus obtuli universa haec et populum tuum qui hic reppertus est vidi cum ingenti gaudio tibi offerre donaria Deus Israel, custodi hanc voluntatem cordis eorum.

Secreta Illo nos igne, quaesumus Domine, Spiritus sanctus imflamme, quen Dominus noster Iesus christus e penteralibus cordis sui misit in terram, et voluit vehementer accendi. Qui tecum vivit et regant in unitate eiusdem Spiritus Sancti Deus.

Praefatio de Nativtate Domini:
Vere dignum et iustum est, aequum et salutare, nos tibi semper, et ubique gratias agere: Domine sancte, Pater omnipotens, aeterne Deus: Quia per incarnati Verbi mysterium nova mentis nostrae oculis lux tuae claritatis infulsit: ut, dum visibiliter Deum cognoscimus, per hunc in invisibilum amorem rapiamur. Et ideo cum Angelis et Archangelis, cum Thronis et Dominationibus, cumque omni militai coelestis exercitus, hymnum gloriae tuae canimus sine fine dicentes: Sanctus.

Et sic dicitur etiam in Missis votivis a Dominica Trinitatis usque ad Septuagesimam. A Septuagesima vero usque ad Pentecost:

PRAEFACTIO De Cruce:
Vere dignum et iustum est, aequum et salutare, nos tibi semper, et ubique gratias agere: Domine sancte, Pater omnipotens, aeterne Deus. Qui salutem humani generis in ligno crucis constituisti: ut, unde mors oriebatur, inde vita resurgeret: et qui in ligno vincebat, in ligno quoque vinceretur, per Christum Dominum nostrum. Per quem maiestatem tuam laudant Angeli, adorant Dominationes, tremunt Potestates. Coeli, coelorumque Virtutes, ac beata Seraphim, socia exsultatione concelebrant. Cum quibus et nostras voces, ut admitti iubeas, deprecamur, supplici confessione dicentes: Sanctus.

Communio Ps 33 Gustate et videte quoniam suavis est Dominus: in aeternum misericordia eius. Alleluia.

Postcommunio Praebeant nobis, Domine Iesu, divinum tua sancta fervorem: quo dulcissimi Cordis tui suavitate percepta., discamus terrene despicere et amare coelestia. Qui vivis, et regnas.

Introit. Cant. 3 Go forth, you daughters of Sion, and see King Solomon in the diadem, with which his mother crowned him on the day of his espousals, and in the day of the joy of his heart. Ps. 44 My heart has uttered a good word : I speak my words to the king. Glory be. Go forth.

Collect Clothe us, Lord Jesus, with the virtues of your sacred Heart, and inflame our souls with the fire of your divine love ; that we may be conformed to the image of your goodness, and be worthy of participating in your redemption: Who lives and reigns.

A Reading from the Epistle of Blessed Paul the Apostle to the Ephesians c. 3
Brothers, to me, the least of all the saints, is given this grace, to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to enlighten all men, that they may see what is the dispensation of the mystery which hath been hidden from eternity in God, who created all things. For this cause I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom all paternity in heaven and earth is named; that he would grant you according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit unto the inward man ; that Christ may dwell by faith, in your hearts; that being rooted and founded in love, you may be able to comprehend with all the saints, what is the breadth, and length, and height, and depth : to know also the love of Christ, which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled unto all the fulness of God.

Graduale Matt. 21 Say unto the daughters of Sion : Behold your king comes to you, meek. V. Is. 42 He shall not be sad, nor troublesome : he shall not cry, neither shall his voice be heard abroad.

Alleluia, Alleluia. Matt. 11 Learn of me, because I am meek and humble of heart: and you shall find rest for your souls. Alleluia.

Post Septuagismam.
Graduale Ps. 68 My heart has expected reproach and misery ; and I looked for one who would grieve together with me, but there was none; and for one who would comfort me, and I found none.

Tractus Ps. 21 But I am a worm and no man: the reproach of men and the outcast of the people. V. All they that saw me have laughed me to scorn:they have spoken with the lips and wagged the head. V. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are scattered. My heart is become like wax melting in the midst of my bowels.

In Eastertide
Alleluia, Alleluia. V. Ps 29 Lord, my God, I have cried out to you, and you healed me: you have led my soul out of hell. Alleluia. V. You have turned for me my mourning into joy : you have cut my sackcloth, and has surrounded me with gladness. Alleluia

The continuation of the Holy Gospel according to John c.15
At that time : Jesus said to his disciples : As the Father has loved me, I also have loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments you shall abide in my love, as I also have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be filled. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

Greater love than this has no man, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends, if you do the things that I command you. I will not now call you servants : for the servant knows not what his Lord does. But I have called you friends : because all things whatsoever I have heard of my Father, I have made known to you. You have not chosen me ; but I have chosen you, and have appointed you that you should go and should bring forth fruit : and your fruit should remain : that whatsoever you shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Offertory 1 Chron. 29 Lord God, I, in the simplicity of my heart, have joyfully offered all these things, and I have seen with great joy, thy people which are here present, offer you their offerings. God of Israel, keep for ever this will of their hearts. Alleluia.

Secret We beseech you, O Lord, to inflame our souls with the fire of the Holy Ghost; which our Lord Jesus Christ has sent on earth, from the secret recesses of his Heart, to enkindle in us his love : Who lives and .

PREFACE Of the Nativity
It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto you, O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God, for through the Mystery of the Word made flesh, the new light of your glory has shone upon the eyes of our mind, so that while we acknowledge God in visible form, we may through Him be drawn to the love of things invisible. And therefore with Angels and Archangels, with Throne and Dominations, and with all the hosts of the heavenly army, we sing the hymn of your glory, evermore saying: Holy

Which is also said in votive Masses from Trinity Sunday to Septuagesima. And in votive Masses from Septuagesima to Pentecost is said

PREFACE Of the Cross:
It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto you, O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God; who established the salvation of mankind on the tree of the Cross; that from where death came, there also life might arise again, and that he, who overcame by the tree, by the tree also might be overcome: Through Christ our Lord. Through whom the Angels praise your Majesty, the Dominations worship it, the Powers stand in awe. The Heavens and the heavenly hosts together with the blessed Seraphim in triumphant chorus unite to celebrate it. Together with these we entreat you that you may bid our voices also to be admitted while we say with lowly praise: Holy.

Communion Ps 33 Taste, and see that the Lord is sweet: his mercy is eternal. Alleluia.

Postcommunion May your grace, O Lord Jesus, we beseech you, afford us divine favour, in order that, being perceptive of the sweetness of your most loving Heart, we may learn to despise earthly things, and love those that are heavenly: Who lives and reigns....

A lovely Mass! Thankfully, in the 2002 Missale Romanum, the oration is restored for Votive Masses, though, in line with post 1970 reforms, addressed to the Father, rather than the Son.

In 1928/9, Pius XI raised the feast to a Double of the I Class, the highest rank, and granted it also an Octave. The composition of a new Mass Cogitationes, and Office was undertaken, and there was provided a special preface for Masses of the Sacred Heart. The Prime versicles were replaced by a special one Qui Corde fundis gratiam 'Who pours out grace from Your Heart.' The entire Mass and the new preface. The text of the new Mass and the preface can be seen here.

This Mass is a bit disappointing for me, because it is not exactly a subsitute for the Mass Egredemini. Although the variations for Votive Masses are noticeably 'lighter', and the Mass is celebrated in white vestments, and certain texts of Egredemini are retained, the focus of the Mass is still mostly the reparative contemplation as seen in the Gospel, Collect, Offertory, Communion, etc... Not that that is a bad focus to have, but the sweetness of the Mass Egredimini is for me, especially suitable for Votive Masses. However it is still nice that the Sacred Heart has got its own preface.

First Published June 2007

Corpus Christi in Cork

Members travelled to Cork this morning to participate in the Corpus Christi procession. First, they attended the 12 noon Mass in the Extraordinary Form in St. Peter and Paul's Church.

After Mass we attended the Corpus Christi Procession from the North Cathedral through the streets of Cork City. Here is a participant's eye view of the procession looking back towards the canopy sheltering the Blessed Sacrament carried by the Bishop of Cork and Ross, escorted by officers of the Defence Forces and followed by the Lord Mayor and members of the Corporation of Cork City, then looking forward, down the hill towards the River Lee past the Indian community with their native costumes and umbrellas.

Finally the procession reached the centre of the City. Benediction was given to the assembled thousands of Corkonians (and visitors) from a prepared platform on the Grand Parade.

St. Finbar of Cork, pray for us!

Making the News (Part 6)

For some reason, Pathé newsreels feature parades of the Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland or Boys Brigade in a great many of their newsreels.

Blessing and distribution of Shamrock at the Franciscan Church of the Immaculate Conception (Adam and Eve's), Merchant's Quay, Dublin, to the Catholic Boys' Brigade.

St. Patrick's Day ceremonies, 1920 - a combination of military and religion. Many Boy Scouts lined up at outdoor ceremony in square. Blessing & Presentation of a troop flag of the 26th Dublin St Columba's Troop, Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland, at Iona Road.

Catholic Boys' Brigade. Demonstration by the newly founded company at Stillorgan, Ireland, 1923.

Father Philip O.F.M. distributes the National Emblem to the Catholic Boys Brigade in 1924.

Inspection and Presentation of Shamrock to the Visitation Troop of Catholic Boy Scouts at Fairview, Dublin, by Rev. F.T. Grogan, C.C., 1928.

"Interesting Scout Ceremony - The Rev. Father J. Flanagan blesses and presents the first Troop Flag to the Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland (Fairview Troop) in 1928.

At a Dublin Scouts Ceremony, Very Rev. Canon Waters, PP, blesses the Flag of St. Peter's Troops at Dalymount in 1930.

In support of the Marino Church Fund, 2,000 Catholic Boy Scouts parade at Croke Park in 1930.

Making the News (Part 4)

In this Part, I'm going to take a look at coverage of other religious events in Ireland by Pathé newsreels.

Corpus Christi Processions

The Corpus Christi Procession was a feature of Catholic life not only in Ireland but throughout the Church since the establishment of the feast in the 13th Cent. However, Ireland took a particular pride in honouring Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, for example, in Galway in 1924, in Artane in 1924 and 1925, the Irish Defence Forces in the Curragh Camp in 1925, Navan in 1930, in Bandon in 1941,

May Processions

As with Corpus Christi Processions, usually in June, the Irish made great efforts to honour Our Lady in her month of May. Good examples are found at Inchicore in 1921, then at Mount Argus in 1922 and 1923. However, Inchicore returned to pride of place again in 1924, 1927, 1928, 1929 and 1931.

Other Events

Pathé also covered the procession of the Franciscan Third Order in Killarney in 1921 and, in 1926, the celebrations marking the centenary of the arrival of the Dominicans in Waterford. In 1926, Sodalities are shown processing into St. Andrew's Church, Westland Row, Dublin. The Mullingar Confraternity processes in 1927.

The Patrician Year

In 1961, Ireland celebrated the 1,500th anniversary of the death of St. Patrick. Pathé newsreels cover the celebrations in Dublin and Armagh. I would also include the coverage of St. Patrick's Day for 1950.

The Holy Father's Homily for Corpus Christi

Last Thursday, at the Mass at the Latern Basilica in advance of the Blessed Sacrament Procession through the streets of Rome to the Liberian Basilica, Our Holy Father the Pope gave a homily in Italian of which this is a translated extract:

"St. Leo the Great reminds us that "our participation in the Body and Blood of Christ leads to nothing other than to become that which we receive" (sermo 12, De Passione, 2,7, PL54). If this is true for every Christian, it is so for an even greater reason for us priests. To be the Eucharist! Let this very thing be our constant desire and task, so that at the offering of the Body and Blood of the Lord, we accomplish on the altar, there comes also the sacrifice of our existence. Every day, we draw from the Body and Blood of the Lord that free and pure love which makes us worthy minister of Christ and witnesses to His joy. And this is what the faithful are waiting for from the priest: the example, indeed, of an authentic devotion for the Eucharist; the love to see him spend time in long pauses of silence and of adoration before Jesus as did the Cure of Ars, whom we will remember in a special way during this now imminent Priestly Year."

Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar!

The Sequence of Corpus Christi

As is well-known, the feast of Corpus Christi was instituted at the request of Our Lord to St. Juliana of Liège on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday. Pope Unban IV, who instituted the feast, had been Archdeacon of Liège before his election. It is also well known that St. Thomas Aquinas, the Doctor Angelicus, was asked to compose the Mass and Office of the feast. His compositions were not only theological and artistic masterpieces but they have provided the Church and the Christian Faithful with several of the most universally popular hymns in honour of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.

Among those compositions, is the Adoro Te Devote, Pange Lingua, Sacris Solemnis and Verbum Supernum. Sadly, not as universally popular is the Sequence of the Mass of Corpus Christi Lauda Sion Salvatorem. Indeed, perhaps the only part of it that has entered the popular repertoire are the few lines Ecce Panis Angelorum, factus cibus viatorum: vere panis filiorum, non mittendus canibus that have frequently been set to music independently of the rest of the Sequence.

This is also true in the case of the Pange Lingua, which, although the full hymn is memorably used on Holy Thursday, the last two verses form the Benediction hymn Tantum Ergo, which is a stock favourite. Likewise, in Sacris Solemnis, the sixth verse gives us the famous Panis Angelicus, and the hymn of Benediction O Salutaris is found towards the end of Verbum Supernum.

The second video clip is the popular and most common version of Ecce Panis Angelorum, while the third is the setting by the famed Don Lorenzo Perosi.

In speaking of the Sequences of the Roman Missal, the Catholic Encyclopedia says: Each of the five has its own special beauty; but the "Lauda Sion" is peculiar in its combination of rhythmic flow, dogmatic precision, phraseal condensation."

In common with the other Sequences, Lauda Sion is double strophed. That is, it repeats the same melody in two lines before moving to another melody for the next two lines. This doubled strophing, or strophe and counter-strophe pattern that sets the Sequence apart from the hymn. Effectively, each strophe/counter-strophe would have been sung alternately by the two liturgical choirs. Such double strophing is found frequently in the Books of the Old Testament, particularly in the non-Major Prophetic Books, Hosea, Amos and Job being particular examples.