Pilgrimage to Holy Cross Abbey 2018

To make a pilgrimage to Holy Cross Abbey, Holycross, Co. Tipperary, is to walk the path to Calvary and to walk in the footsteps of almost nine centuries of pilgrims. The Abbey was once home to the monks of the great Cistercian Order.

The Atlas and Cyclopedia of Ireland (1900) says of it: "This monastic ruin is considered to rank in popular esteem as one of the first, if not the very first, in Ireland. It is situated on the western bank of the Suir about seven miles north of Cashel. It was founded in 1182 by Donald O'Brien, king of Limerick, for the Cistercian monks; but is said to owe its origin and name to the possession of piece of the True Cross, presented in 1110 by Pope Pascal II to Murrough O'Brien, monarch of Ireland... The Abbey is appropriately built in the form of a cross, with nave, chancel and transept, and a lofty, square belfrey at the intersection of the cross. In both transepts are two distinct chapels beautifully groined. It was endowed with special privileges, and the abbot was a peer of parliament with the title of Earl of the Holy Cross."

Further details can be found on PilgrimageMedievalIreland including that: "in 1567 the Lord deputy complaining to the Queen wrote ‘there is no small conflunence of people still resorting to the holy cross’. In 1579 James Fitzmaurice Fitzgerald is said to have venerated the relic of the cross at the abbey a few weeks before his death at the hands of the Burkes, while 1583 Dermot O’Hurley archbishop of Cashel made a pilgrimage to the shrine shortly before his capture by the English. The relic of the cross would have attracted people from all classes and in 1586 Camden writes of the ‘famous abbey’ to which the people still come to do reverence to the relic of the Holy Cross’. He goes on to say ‘It is incredible what a concourse of people still throng hither out of devotion. For this nation obstinately adheres to the religion of superstition of their forefathers.’"

Good old Wikipedia adds a poignant detail: "The Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland recount that in 1601, Prince Hugh Roe O'Donnell, on his way to the Battle of Kinsale, true to his family arms and Constantinian motto (In Hoc Signo Vinces) and in anticipation of the battle to come at Kinsale, visited and venerated a relic of the True Cross (Holy rood) on the Feast of St. Andrew, on November 30, 1601 at Holy Cross Abbey. At that period it was a rallying point for the defence of religious freedom and for Irish sovereignty. From there he sent an expedition to Ardfert, to win a quick victory and successfully recover the territory of his ally, Fitzmaurice, Lord of Kerry, who had lost it and his 9-year-old son, to Sir Charles Wilmot. It was the last victory before the defeat at Kinsale."

Archiseek has, as ever, some excellent images of the abbey and add that "it became a scheduled national monument in 1880, 'to be preserved and not used as a place of worship'" However, a special Holycross Act was passed by the Irish Parliament, the Oireachtas, to allow the Church to be restored to its intended use and as the old song has it: "is an t-aifreann binn á rá" (and the sweet Mass was said there once more).

Our third pilgrimage in the Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly in recent months and following also in the footsteps of 'Ecclesia Dei - Ireland' that had held aloft the banner of the Traditional Latin Mass for so many years, we returned on the 5th May, the traditional time close to the old Feast of the Holy Cross on 3rd May, for the 26th Annual Latin Mass Pilgrimage to Holy Cross Abbey. Faugh a Ballagh!

A Latin Mass for the Anniversary of Summorum Pontificum

Pilgrimage to Charleville, County Cork

It was the first occasion that our Association made a pilgrimage to the Diocese of Cloyne.

Charleville, as its name suggests, was a plantation town, founded by Roger Boyle, Lord Orrery in the year after the restoration of King Charles II.  However, it is as the seed-bed of nationalist poets, prelates and patriots that Charleville is most famous.  It was the birthplace of Seán Mac Domhnaill and Daniel Mannix.  Éamon de Valera walked from the nearby townland of Bruree to school there each day.

The beautiful Church of the Holy Cross is only 110 years old.  Canon Lebocq of the Institute of Christ the King, based in Limerick, was the celebrant of a wonderfully reverent Mass.

Latin Mass Pilgrimage to Charleville, County Cork

Holy Week Ceremonies in the Gregorian Rite in Ireland (2015)

 

Palm Sunday

29th March, 2015

Diocese of Dromore, St. Mary's Chapel, Chapel Street, Newry, Co. Down.
9 a.m. - Holy Mass

Diocese of Meath, Silverstream Priory, Stamullen, Co. Meath.
10 a.m. - Blessing of Palms, Procession, and Holy Mass
4 p.m. - Vespers and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament

Archdiocese of Dublin Latin Mass Chaplaincy, St. Kevin's Church, Harrington Street, Dublin 8.
10.15 a.m. - Blessing of Palms
10.30 a.m. - Holy Mass

Institute of Christ the King, Sovereign Priest, Sacred Heart Church, The Crescent, Limerick City.
10.30 a.m. - Holy Mass

Diocese of Cork and Ross, St. Peter and Paul's Church, Paul Street, Cork City.
12 noon - Holy Mass

Diocese of Raphoe, Ss. Joseph and Conal's Church, Bruckless, Co. Donegal.
12.30 p.m. - Holy Mass

Diocese of Meath, Church of the Nativity, Johnstown, Navan, Co. Meath.
1 p.m. - Holy Mass

Diocese of Kerry, Holy Cross Church, O.P., Tralee, Co. Kerry.
1.30 p.m. - Holy Mass

Diocese of Galway, Institute of Christ the King, Sovereign Priest, St. Mary's Church, O.P., The Claddagh, Galway City.
2.30 p.m. - Holy Mass

Diocese of Ossory, Society of Saint Oliver Plunkett, St. Patrick's Church, Kilkenny City.
5 p.m. - Holy Mass

Spy Wednesday 

1st April, 2015

Archdiocese of Dublin Latin Mass Chaplaincy, St. Kevin's Church, Harrington Street, Dublin 8.
7 p.m. - Tenebrae

Institute of Christ the King, Sovereign Priest, Sacred Heart Church, The Crescent, Limerick City.
7 p.m. - Holy Mass
8 p.m. - Tenebræ

Holy Thursday

2nd April, 2015

Institute of Christ the King, Sovereign Priest, Sacred Heart Church, The Crescent, Limerick City.
3 p.m. to 5 p.m. - Confessions.
7 p.m. - Holy Mass with washing of the feet. (Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament from the evening Mass to Midnight)
8 p.m. - Tenebræ.

Diocese of Meath, Silverstream Priory, Stamullen, Co. Meath.
6 p.m. - Mass in Coena Domini

Archdiocese of Dublin Latin Mass Chaplaincy, St. Kevin's Church, Harrington Street, Dublin 8.
8 p.m. - Holy Mass of the Lord's Supper

Good Friday

3rd April, 2015

Institute of Christ the King, Sovereign Priest, Sacred Heart Church, The Crescent, Limerick City.
3 p.m. - Mass of the Presanctified.
7 p.m. - Stations of the Cross.
8 p.m. - Tenebræ

Diocese of Meath, Silverstream Priory, Stamullen, Co. Meath.
3 p.m. - Synaxis of the Passion of the Lord, with Adoration of the Holy Cross

Archdiocese of Dublin Latin Mass Chaplaincy, St. Kevin's Church, Harrington Street, Dublin 8.
5 p.m. - Liturgy of the Passion
7 p.m. - Stations of the Cross

Holy Saturday

4th April, 2015

Diocese of Meath, Silverstream Priory, Stamullen, Co. Meath.
11 a.m. - Blessing of Easter Baskets
8 p.m. - Solemn Paschal Vigil, with 1st Mass of the Resurrection

Archdiocese of Dublin Latin Mass Chaplaincy, St. Kevin's Church, Harrington Street, Dublin 8.
9 p.m. - Easter Vigil

Institute of Christ the King, Sovereign Priest, Sacred Heart Church, The Crescent, Limerick City.
9 p.m. - Easter Vigil

Easter Sunday

5th April, 2015

Diocese of Dromore, St. Mary's Chapel, Chapel Street, Newry, Co. Down.
9 a.m. - Holy Mass

Archdiocese of Dublin Latin Mass Chaplaincy, St. Kevin's Church, Harrington Street, Dublin 8.
10.30 a.m. - Holy Mass

Institute of Christ the King, Sovereign Priest, Sacred Heart Church, The Crescent, Limerick City.
10 a.m. - Confessions.
10.30 a.m. - Holy Mass followed by blessing of the Easter lamb.

Diocese of Meath, Silverstream Priory, Stamullen, Co. Meath.
10.45 a.m. - Tierce and Holy Mass

6 p.m. - Vespers and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament

Diocese of Cork and Ross, St. Peter and Paul's Church, Paul Street, Cork City.
12 noon - Holy Mass

Diocese of Meath, Church of the Nativity, Johnstown, Navan, Co. Meath.
1 p.m. - Holy Mass

Diocese of Kerry, Holy Cross Church, O.P., Tralee, Co. Kerry.
1.30 p.m. - Holy Mass

Diocese of Galway, Institute of Christ the King, Sovereign Priest, St. Mary's Church, O.P., The Claddagh, Galway City.
2.30 p.m. - Holy Mass

Diocese of Ossory, Society of Saint Oliver Plunkett, St. Patrick's Church, Kilkenny City.
5 p.m. - Holy Mass

Diocese of Killaloe, Institute of Christ the King, Sovereign Priest, St. Joseph's Church, Ennis, Co. Clare.
5.30 p.m. - Holy Mass

Archdiocese of Tuam, The Old Church, Our Lady's Shrine, Knock, Co. Mayo.
5.30 p.m. - Holy Mass

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If you have additional information or corrections please e-mail to thecatholicheritageassociation@gmail.com

'The Exaltation of Dear Christ's Cross'

September 14 is the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, which the 12th-century calendarist, Marianus O'Gorman, describes as 'the Exaltation of dear Christ's Cross, the great, pure, diademed standard'. Father John Ryan, in his classic work on Irish monasticism, has written of the use of the sign of the cross by the Irish monastic saints:

To invoke the divine aid against these evil powers the sign of the cross was in constant use. St. Columban, during his meditations in the woods near Luxeuil put that holy sign on his forehead frequently as a form of armour. His monks did the same whenever they left the monastery. Columban's successor at Luxeuil, the abbot Athala, had a cross erected outside his cell, so that when going out or returning he could lay his hand upon it before putting the sign of salvation upon his brow. A torch when lighted by a junior monk had to be handed to a senior to be thus blessed, and spoons when used at table had to be treated similarly by the brethern. In Iona the same custom prevailed; for it is recorded that St Columcille was displeased when the holy sign was not placed on a milk vessel (Adamnan ii, 16). The 'signum salutare' might be placed on tools and used for various pious purposes. When his uncle Ernan died suddenly on the way from the harbour to the monastery, a cross was raised on the spot where life failed him and another on the spot where Columcille stood awaiting his approach. Another cross, fixed securely in a large millstone, was erected in the place where the old white horse wept for the saint's approaching end just before his death. Caesarius of Arles shows that the practice of signing oneself with the sign of the cross was very common in Gaul. St. Patrick made the sign of the cross upon himself a hundred times during the day and night, and never passed a cross upon the wayside without alighting from his chariot and spending a while beside it in prayer. St. Jerome said it could not be made too frequently. The hermits in the Egyptian desert were wont to make the holy sign over their food and drink, before they took their repast, and one of them is credited with the statement that "where the cross passes the evil in anything is powerless."

Rev. John Ryan, S.J., Irish Monasticism - Origins and Early Development (2nd edn. 1972, reprinted Irish Academic Press, 1986), 234-235.

Note: This post has also been published at my own blog Omnium Sanctorum Hiberniae which is dedicated to the saints of Ireland. 

Mass for Summorum Pontificum 6th Anniversary

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

The Lords Abbot of Mount Melleray

Our recent retreat to Mount Melleray Abbey was the first to take place since the election of the new Lord Abbot. Dom Augustine McGregor, elected Abbot on 3rd November last, is the thirteenth Lord Abbot of Mount Melleray.

The first Lord Abbot, Dom Vincent Ryan (b. 1788, e. 1835, d. 1845), was both founder and, in a sense, the embodiment of the Community. As Prior of the Abbey of Melleray in France, he was the senior Irish monk of the Community, and a native of Waterford. He entered the Cistercian noviciate in 1810 while the Community was in exile at Lulworth, England, having been driven out of France by the revolutionaries in 1794. He was ordained in 1815. In 1817, Melleray was restored but only temporarily. In 1831, the monks were once again expelled. In anticipation, Fr. Vincent had been to Ireland in a search for a home in exile. This bore fruit when the English and Irish exiles arrived at Cobh on 1st December, 1831, and made their way to Rathmore, Co. Kerry. The following year land as Scrahan came to Fr. Vincent's attention. On 30th May, 1831, the lease was signed with Sir Richard Keane and on the next morning, Ascension Thursday, Fr. Vincent celebrated Mass at the single cottage, christened 'Bethlehem', and at the place now christened Mount Melleray. That same day a cheque for £100 was received from the Duke of Devonshire of Lismore Castle.

The foundation stone of the new monastery was laid on 20th August, 1833. The stone read: Gregorio XVI. Pont. Max; Guilielmo Abraham, S.T.D., R.C.E W. et L.; R.P. Vincento; S.R. Keane, E.S.S.; Die 20 Augusti 1833." The monastery was raised to the status of an Abbey in February, 1935, and Dom Vincent Ryan was given that abbatial blessing by Bishop Abraham on 17th May, feast of St. Carthage of Lismore. He was the first Abbot to be blessed in Ireland since the despoilation of the monasteries. On 22nd October, 1838, the first Abbey Church was opened for public worship.

The bell, a familiar sound to all visitors to Mount Melleray, the work of Murphy's Irish Bell Foundry of James' Street, Dublin, was hung in the tower in 1844. Dom Vincent wrote to Mr. Murphy that: "for beauty of form, solidity of construction, power and sweetness of tone, continues to give universal satisfaction and is an object of admiration to our numerous visitors who declare it cannot be excelled by any bell of its size or weight in the country." It was transferred to the tower of the present Abbey Church on 21st March, 1938.

Dom Vincent died on 9th December, 1845, at the age of only 57 years, a religious for 34 years and Abbot of Mount Melleray for 10 years. He was described in an obituary: "Dr. Ryan was a religious of no ordinary mold. He was cast by God for the noble purpose of restoring the monastic life to Ireland in a time and under circumstances of no ordinary difficulty. Great was his faith and confidence in God, even to the removing of mountains! Pure and burning his charity towards God and man! First in every duty, vigilant in prayer, constant as his frequent sickness would permit him in labour, singular in humility, he was a faithful illustration of the religious, painted in his own excellent work on the duties of the monastic state."

On 15th January, 1846, the Community elected the Sub-Prior, a Clonmel man, Dom Joseph Mary Ryan (b. 1801, e. 1846, r. 1847 d. 1856), as the second Lord Abbot of Mount Melleray. He had entered the noviciate at Mount Melleray in 1839. His was the first public consecration of an Abbot in Ireland since the reformation. He retired as Lord Abbot on 28th October, 1847, and lived another nine years as a monk of Mount Melleray.

Before the election on 4th April, 1848, of Dom Bruno Fitzpatrick (b. 1812, e. 1848, d. 1893), as third Lord Abbot, the approval of the Holy See to exempt the Abbey from the jurisdiction of the Local Ordinary and to place it under the Abbot General and the Chapter General of La Trappe, was received. Dom Bruno was educated at St. Suplice and the Irish College, Paris. And while a professor of philosophy in Carlow College in 1836, was ordained for the Archdiocese of Dublin. He entered Mount Melleray in May, 1843. Once elected, he proposed a foundation in America and on 25th July, 1848, Fr. Bernard McCaffrey set out on the mision that would eventually bear fruit in New Melleray Abbey the following year. His consacration was took place on 14th September, 1848. Dom Bruno attended the consacration of the Cathedral of St. Louis on 3rd May, 1857. The foundation of the second daughter house, Mount Saint Joseph, at Roscrea, Co. Tipperary, and of the Ecclesiastical Seminary were other monuments to his time. He also made an attempt to reintroduce Cistercian nuns to Ireland in 1861. The Lodge, so familiar to the hungry guest and the subject of the 66th Chapter of the Rule of St. Benedict, was built in 1862. In 1868, Dom Bruno also saw the restoration of solemn vows by the Holy See. There had been within the Cistercian Order, as with the Benedictines, a multiplicity of 'Congregations' or groups of houses but in 1892, as part of a wider attempt by Pope Leo XIII to 'streamline' Orders, three Congregations of stricter observance of the Holy Rule formed a distinct Order, the 'Ordo Cisterciensium Strictioris Observantiae.' On 4th December, 1893, after a prolonged period of ill-health, Dom Bruno fell asleep in the Lord during an influenza epidemic at the age of 81 years, 52 years in religion and 45 as Lord Abbot. He is remembered as the second founder of Mount Melleray.

On 15th January, 1894, Dom Carthage Delaney (b. 1836, e. 1894, r. 1908, d. 1909) was elected as the fourth Lord Abbot of Mount Melleray. A Longford man and student of the College at Mount Melleray, he entered the Abbey in 1859 and had been claustral Prior for 30 years at the time of his election. At the age of 58, he was the oldest Abbot elected by the community at the time by some years. His was the first abbatial consacration (29th April) presided over by the representative of the Abbot General. An interesting notion - giving some insight into the interior and prayer life of a Trappist - is that the Rosary Confraternity was established in the monastery at the beginning of Dom Carthage's term, the October devotions being practiced each evening of the month after Compline. Dom Carthage purchased the stained glass window from Meyer of Munich that was then installed behind the High Altar of the Abbey Church and is now in the Sanctuary of St. Philomena's, the Public Church, the central panel of which is a facsimile of Murillo's Immaculate Conception, the lower ones, Ss. Brigid, Malachy, Bernard and Patrick. Dom Carthage resigned in 1908 in his 78th year.

Dom Carthage's headstone in the Community Cemetary reads: "Hic Requiescat JOANNES CARTHAGUS DELANY natus in comitatu Longfordiensi adhuc juvenis nomen religioni dedit in coenobio Beatae Mariae de Monte Melleario et in eodem coenobio munere praepositi sex lustra et abbatis tria pie functus virtute clarus obdormavit in domino xviii kal feb. mcmix aetatis suae lxxiii. Orate pro eo."

The grave of Dom Carthage Delaney, O.C.S.O., in the foreground

On 8th May, 1908, the community elected the man who had succeeded Dom Carthage as claustral Prior, Dom Maurus Phelan of Kilrossanty, Co. Waterford as fifth Lord Abbot of Mount Melleray (b. 1853, e. 1908, d.1931). Dom Maurus entered Mount Melleray at the age of 19 years in 1872. Dom Maurus was a native speaker of Irish and was instrumental in the promotion of the Irish language by the monks and schools of Mount Melleray. He preached a sermon in Irish every Sunday and published the Leabhar Urnaighthe, a prayerbook in the Irish language. He was consacrated Abbot on 15th August, 1908. In 1912, electricity was introduced to the monastery. In July, 1913, Bl. Dom Columba Marmion preached the annual retreat to the community. In 1914, the Lord Abbot of Mount Melleray became the father immediate of the Trappistine Nuns of Holy Cross Abbey, Stapehill, Dorset, Dom Maurus succeeded where Dom Bruno had failed in reintroducing Cistercian nuns to Ireland at St. Mary's Abbey, Glencairn, although they arrived just after his death on 10th July, 1931. On 20th August, 1932, the Barracks Chapel from Fermoy that he had purchased was re-erected and opened as the College Chapel.

On 16th August, 1931, Dom Stanislaus Hickey (b. 1865, e. 1931, d. 1933) was elected sixth Lord Abbot. Dom Stanislaus, a native of Co. Tipperary, entered the community in 1884. He had been claustral Prior and Definitor of the Order in Romesince 1925. He published Summula Philosophae Scholasticae in 1902. He was Lord Abbot for only eighteen months. He died of pneumonia on 25th February, 1933, at only 66 years.

The seventh Lord Abbot of Mount Melleray, Dom Celsus O'Connell (e. 1933, r. 1957, d. 1958), a native of Mourne Abbey, Co. Cork, was elected on 5th April, 1933. He was a monk of Mount Melleray but had been Definitor of the Order in Rome from 1920 and Abbot of Mount St. Bernard in England from 1929. His term began with the celebration of the centenary of the Abbey on 20th August, 1833. The celebrations took place from 15th to 17th August, 1933. On the third day, Cardinal McRory, Archbishop of Armagh, laid the foundation stone of the present Church. By 1935, the sacristy and chapter house had been built. In 1937, the spire of the old Church had been replaced by the lantern of the present tower. The monastic Church and the public Church were both roofed and externally complete by the end of 1939. The 200 choir stalls of the monastic Church commenced to be used from 15th December, 1940.

Cardinal McRory approved the foundation of New Mellifont Abbey in his Archdiocese in 1938. 10 years later, another foundation was made at Our Lady of Bethlehem Abbey, Portglenone, Co. Antrim.

On 20th August, 1952, came the most momentous event of Dom Celsus' term, the consacration of the new Abbey Church. In 1954, a foundation was made in New Zealand, Our Lady of the Southern Star Abbey.

By 1954, changes were already starting to be made within the Order with the ending of the obligation of the daily recitation of the Office for the Dead, except one day a week, and the obligation to recite the Little Office of Our Lady daily abolished for feast days of Our Lady, and abolished entirely in 1956. Dom Celsus retired as Abbot on 3rd February, 1957 (the website of the General House says 2nd but the monastic community wasn't informed until the following day). Dom Celsus fell asleep in the Lord on 13th November, 1958.

The graves of Dom Stanislaus Hickey, Dom Maurus Phelan and Dom Celsus O'Connell, respectively.

Dom Finbar Cashman was elected to succeed his fellow Cork man on 26th April, 1957, and he was consacrated on 16th July of the same year. A new Abbot General elected in January, 1964, oversaw the Chapter General that abolished the distinctive habit of laybrothers, as well as the cowl and monastic tonsure. In 1968, the Office began to be recited in the vernacular. In 1969, the election of Abbots for life was ended. On 2nd July, 1971, Dom Finbar was succeeded by Dom Pól Ó hAonghusa, the ninth and first temporary Lord Abbot of Mount Melleray, who was installed on 21st September, 1971. In 1974, Mount Melleray College closed after 140 years. Dom Edward Ducey, a founder monk of New Mellifont Abbey and Abbot there since 1974, became Superior ad nutum and was elected tenth Lord Abbot on 26th August, 1976 and was installed on 29th September. Dom Justin MacCarthy was elected on 26th June, 1980. Dom Eamon Fitzgerald was elected on 19th July, 1989. He was elected Abbot General in September, 2008, and was replaced by Fr. Michael Ahern as Superior ad nutum until he was replaced Dom Augustine McGregor, formerly Abbot of New Mellifont, in June, 2010. Dom Augustine McGregor was elected as thirteenth Lord Abbot on 3rd November, 2010.

Feasts dependant on the Exaltation

It was interesting for me to read how the Exaltation has been treated like a mini Good Friday to place feasts that would otherwise fall in Lent. The most obvious of course, is Our Lady of Sorrows, which formerly fell on the Third Sunday of September (and thus after the Holy Cross) until St. Pius X fixed it for September 15.

But another interesting feast that depends on the Holy Cross is the Transfiguration on August 6. 40 days before the Holy Cross as, according to tradition, the Transfiguration took place 40 days before Good Friday - but that would place it in Lent. Unlike the later mediaevel and Renaissance eras, people then were finicky about including feasts in Lent - it was the custom of the Fathers that it be solely for penitence. So they decided to have it forty days before the Holy Cross. You'll also note that a number of martyrs are placed around this feast and that the Stigmata of St. Francis occurs in close proximity to it.

This tradition is also why the Gospel of the Second Sunday of Lent is that of the Transfiguration.

Published in September, 2007