Tuesday.

I was planning to go to daily mass throughout passiontide, but I woke up late on Monday. I went today and received communion. Looks like they've instituted the 'benedictine altar arrangement', as some modern liturgy-geeks are calling it these days.
Got to school early to pick up my cell phone that I lost there, and a teacher has had for several days. Get this: he told my dad, but despite seeing my several times a day, never told me that had it.
I call senility.
Term paper nearly due and I still have only three pages plus my thesis done. I'm looking over the propers for holy week now, and wondering what to do for holy Saturday's lauds hymn Tibi Redmptor Omnium, as there is no tune for it. It's one of Vaganinni's re-workings, and there is no Antiphonal for the 1969 breviary yet. (Yup, still waiting for it. Since 1969.)
I can't seem to get my colored pencils and my latest artwork in the same place. Either I have one or the other, but not both.
Latest issues of Sporting News and Shonen Jump have arrived. Full color manga pages. Nice. Comment on the first magazine later.
It looks like my camerais surely broken, so I don't know about the photos. And I was going to prove my PODness with a photo of my home altar with the crucifix, triptych, and holy cards veiled in purple.

Explanation of the Mass:Part X

Taking up again this explanation, we now come to the Pater Noster. Formerly, it was sung only by the celebrant, but now the faithful may take part if they desire. It is right and proper that we should here bring our petitions to the Father, while the Son, our Advocate, Intercessor, and Mediator with the Father lies in a mystical way upon the Cross of the Altar, presenting that same sacrifice which reconciled us with the Father.
S.Cyril of Jerusalem explains this prayer in his Catechetical Lectures, given to catechumens in the early church. It can be read here. (Numbers 11-18) The Lord's prayer, as it is called, most perfectly prepares us for communion. For at no other moment is the Lord closest to us than when he is present within our very bodies in the Most Blessed Sacrament. It is at this moment, during communion, that we ought to offer him our petitions and prayers, for the Lord's prayer contains in it every proper sentiment of prayer and everything neccesarry to our salvation. St.Chysostom says of it: "He who prays not as Christ has taught is not Christ's disciple, and the Father does not easily hear the prayer which the Son hath not dictated."Afterward, the priest prays a beautiful prayer for us, the Libera Nos. It mentions in detail the evils that we ask to be delivered from, saying:

"Libera nos, quaesumus, Domine, ab omnibus malis, da propitius pacem in diebus nostris, ut, ope misericordiae tuae adiuti, et a peccato simus semper liberi, et ab omni perturbatione securi: expectantes beatam spem et adventum Salvatoris nostri Iesu Christi."

"Deliver us, O lord, we beseech you, from every evil, and graciously grant to us peace in our days. That aided by the work of your mercy, we might be ever delivered from sin, and safe from all distress, as we await the Blessed hope, and the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ."

After which, the choir and people sing the doxology of the prayer,

"Quia tuum est regnas et potestas, et gloria in saecula."
"For yours is the kindom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever."

By these words, we joing our doxoloy of praise and offerring to that of the priest, which he concluded with the per ipsum. But as the pettition to be delivered from evil was followed by the libera nos, so also is the pettion for peace followed by it's own prayer. Indeed, we confess not ounly our dependance on God, but as well the blessed hope to which all the church looks foreward to. That last part is a quotation of scripture, S.Paul's letter to Titus, 2:13The priest now sings:

"Dómine Iesu Christe, qui dixísti Apóstolis tuis: Pacem relínquo vobis, pacem meam do vobis: ne respícias peccáta nostra, sed fidem Ecclésiæ tuæ; eámque secúndum voluntátem tuam pacificáre et coadunáre digneris.
Qui vivis et regnas in saecula, saeculorum."

"O Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your Apostles: Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you: Regard not our sins but the faith of your Church, and deign to give her peace and unityin accordance with your will.
Who live and reign forever and ever."

And we sing :

"Amen".

Aye, let it be so. Thus we pray for the peace, unity, and exaltation of the Church from her enemies, always prowling about seeking how they may persecute, oppress, and revile her. We pray this while her divine spouse, who S.Paul says gave himself up to buy her and make her clean and immaculate, lies on the altar. Surely, If he gave himself up in sacrifice before for her, he will doubtless help her as he offers again that same sacrifice. Our Lord promised to give us a special peace, that of his divine comfort and consolation (S.John 14:27) Which is now realised in the reception of the sacrament of the Blessed Eucharist.

On solemn occasions, the priest will bid us to offer peace to one another. St.Cyril says of the peace: "there is a certain law delivered unto us by the Church; for in all holy congregations we often salute one another in this manner."We should endeavor now not to share the peace with those we know only, but with strangers and those that we do not know, to show that the peace of God is for all men. More especially, Our Lord bid us in the gospel to make peace with our enemies before completing our sacrifice.( S.Matthew 5:24) If we have not done this already, chiefly by sacramental confession, we should stop now and forgive, or at least try to forgive all who have hurt us, because we have prayed in the Pater to be reconciled with God only as much as we will be reconciled with each other. This prayer may be a blessing or curse depending on how bold we are to follow the gospel.

The organist gives a note and the choir begins a new canticle: Agnis Dei.

Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us;
Agnus Dei, qui tolis peccata mundi, misere nobis;

Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us;
Agnus Dei, qui tolis peccata mundi, misere nobis;

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem.
Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world,grant us peace.

The church entreats Our Lord to have mercy on us. Why else is it if not in reparation for the innumerable insults, blasphemies, and offenses he receives in this sacrament of his goodness? We entreat him twice: for the improper communions made by priests and those made by laity.Lastly we ask again for that peae which the world could not give. And is it not fitting that we should invoke him now for peace? Under the old covenant, a Lamb without blemish and bread of the finest wheat was offered in the sacrifice of a Peace Offering. Now in the new covenant, Jesus offered himself once for our peace, and now under the veil of the sacramental species, he makes it present for us. This appallation of the title 'Lamb' to Christ is totally proper. For Lambs symbolise innocency, of which Christ was most innocent, being without sin. They symbolise purity, of which Christ was most pure, being God himself.They symbolise obedience and meekness, which as Christ was most innocent, "Being obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" (Phillipians 2:8) He, who as a mute lamb voluntarily suffered his passion (Isaiah 53) He is the mystic Lamb, once slain, now glorified, to whom heaven, earth, and all creation rightly cry
"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain!" At the end, we pray for peace, and this too is appropriate. For the lamb that was slain came to give us peace, not only peace in our earthly life, but peace of the soul. And at the consummation of the world, he will bring to us the peace which our First Parents lost by turning away from God. (Rev. 17:14, 22:3-6)

While we sing, the ritual action of the mass continues. The priest genuflects and taking the host in both hands, breaks it into two halves. This symbolizes for a final time the passion and death of Jesus. Christ Our Lord in instituting the blessed Eucharist told us that is was his body, broken and beaten on the cross that was present. But not his passion alone, but even his body ressurected, for it is the same body that was made known to the apostles in the breaking of the bread after his ressurection. Indeed, the Breaking of the Bread was one of the earliest known names for the mass. Now the priest also breaks a small praticle off the right side of the host, symbolyzing the wound made in his right side by the soldier's lance. he makes the sign of the cross over the chalice with it saying:

May this mingling of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, avail us who receive it unto everlasting life. Amen.

Haec commixtio, Corporis et Sanguinis Domini nostri Jesu Christi, fiat accipientibus nobis in vitam aeternam. Amen

And this commixture symbolizes for us the ressurection of Christ. For a body separated from it's blood does not live, but a body with it's blood does live. The Body and Blood of Christ, once separated from each other in death are now joined in life. This being done, the priest prepares himself to receive communion saying two prayers whose origins go back to a ninth century missal found in Amiens Cathedral:

O Lord Jesu Christ, Son of the living God, who by the will of the Father, and the cooperation of the Holy Ghost, hast through thy death given life unto the world: deliver me by this thy most sacred Body and Blood from all mine iniquities and from every evil: and make me ever to cleave unto thy commandments, and suffer me never to be separated from thee: Who with the same God the Father and the Holy Ghost livest and reignest God, world without end. Amen.

Domine Jesu Christe, Fili Dei vivi, qui ex voluntate Patris, cooperante Spiritu Sancto, per mortem tuam mundum vivificasti: lebera me per hoc sacrosanctum Corpus et Sanguinem tuum ab omnibus iniquitatibus meis, et universis malis: et fac me tuis semper inhaerere mandatis, et a te numquam separari permittas. Qui cum eodem Deo Parte et Spiritu Sancto vivis et regnas Deus in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

And:

Let the partaking of thy Body, O Lord Jesu Christ, which I, unworthy presume to receive, turn not to my judgment and condemnation: but of thy goodness let it avail unto me for protection of soul and body, that I may receive thy healing: Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost God, throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Perceptio Corporis tui, Domine Jesu Christe, quod ego indinus sumere praesumo, non mihi proveniat in judicium et condemnationen; sed pro tua pietate prosit mihi ad tutamentum mentis et corporis, et ad medelam percipiendam. Qui vivis et regnas cum Deo Patre in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

These should preferrably be our own sentiments before reeiving communion. These prayers are given to us as a model whereby we may taake our own private prayers before communion. I give here for you a prayer based on these that I often say before communion:

O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, who according to the will of the Father and with the cooperation of the Holy Spirit hast by Thy death given life unto the world, I adore and revere this Thy holy Body which was given over and this Thy holy Blood which was poured forth for the many unto the remission of sins. O merciful Lord, I beg of Thy mercy that through the power of this sacrament Thou willst make me one of that many.

Through faith and love make me feel the power of these sacraments so I may experience their saving power. Absolve and free from all sin and punishment of sin Thy servants, Thy handmaidens, myself, those who I have promised or am obliged to pray for, and so too those who themselves hope or beg to be helped by my prayers with Thee. Make our Church rejoice in Thy constant protection and consolation. Thou who with God the Father.... Amen.

A Second Try.

Alright, I have organ practice tomorrow, and hopefully I'll get the camera to work so that I can take picture of the veiled images in the church, and my home altar in my old bedroom. (Now fire damaged so not good for anything else.)
*ETA* It worked. And I mostly got down the first fourteen measures of the gigout. (I got to about 1:03 here.)

*Downloads*

*Free Gigout*

*Adds*

*Sidelinked*

OMGOMGOMGOMG ITS HERE! *dies*

Oofuri chapter 19 is out! I must obtain it! *Nerds out, hyperventilates, dies again.*

New Art.

Luffy, from One Piece. This is the second piece that I've inked. The first, a picture of S.Joseph got ruined when I got happy with the cross-hatching. I might upload it and put it in my scraps.
*ETA* how'd I get over 500 posts without noticing it? Maybe if I;m lucky, I'll round out another 500 before the year's end.

Did I mention this?

This is hilarious.
and could someone answer me: why was this not reported? So it's wrong if anyone else says it, but if he says it, it's right? If it was McCain in office and he did something like this, you bet the media would still be blathering on about this. But it's a democrat, so we have to play nice. Plus, he's black , and you know how emotional those people are.
It's like being passive-agressive....but with more racism.

Passiontide.

It's almost time.
Time is running short, and soon, our lenten disciplines will come to an end. It almost seems too short, really. We've spent these last days preparing for the greatest festival of the church year, the festival that the whole year anticipates.
But even before it, we have a mini-season for further preparation. We call it 'passiontide'. In it, we should seek to the best of our ability so draw away from the world and spend time with our lord, waiting with him as he prepares to fulfill all that was told of him. We have a week left to grow closer to our savior, and more importantly, to grow close to him in his passion, lest the horror and desolation of Good Friday and holy Saturday overtake us too much. And mother church assists us in our devotion.
For all the year, for all of lent, we've had the crucifix displayed as a help to our meditation on our Lord's passion, but now it is veiled. Now we must draw on the experience of a past life of prayer, without the aid of a visual reminder. In sorrow, the Queen of Saints and her court veil themselves to mourn our beloved Jesus, soon to die for us all.

Almost suddenly, the mass and divine office speak of the suffering of our lord rather than our lenten fasting and other disciplines. At the office, we sing the hymn 'Vexilla Regis Prodeunt' at vespers, and 'Pange Lingua Gloriosi...Certaminis' broken into parts for matins and lauds.
The short chapters at lauds and vespers speak of christ "Like a gentle Lamb led to slaughter"(Monday, Lauds) "suffering ouside the gate" and "bearing abuse" (Thursday, Vespers) and that "he was marred beyond human apearance"(Friday,Lauds). Even more, we are told that we "shall mourn, looking upon him whom they have pierced" (Tuesday, lauds)

And we hear more of why the chief priests and the crowds wanted to kill him. At Wednesday, the antiphon at lauds tells us that they wanted to kill him because he taught the truth. But who wants to suppress truth? What man of God would desire to suppress what is of God? Why would they not listen? As our lord asks in the antiphon at Friday's vespers, for which of his good works do they want to kill him? Christ himself explains, saying quite bluntly that the reason they do not listen and want to kill him because they are not of God.(Thursday, lauds)

And on Friday, we are given the tender commemoration of our sorrowful mother Mary, standing the foot of the cross. In the collect of this day in the new roman missal, which asks that we may imitate blessed Mary in devoutly contemplating Christ Crucified, we pray 'Grant we beseech you, the intercession of the same Virgin,that we might in these days adhere more firmly to your only Begotten Son, and come at last to the fullness of grace.' In some places, permission is even given to sing the Stabat Mater at the office.
These days. These last days before our lord is "offered as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to the father". (Wednesday, vespers.)
So the almost halcyon days of lent are fading away, and the more turbulent times of passiontide are nigh.
"O good cross, made beautiful by the body of the Lord, long have I desired thee, ardently have I loved thee, unceasingly have I sought thee, and now thou art ready for my eager soul. Receive me from among men and restore me to my Master, so that He, who redeemed me through thee, shalt receive me through thee. Amen."
-S.Andrew the apostle, before being crucified.

WOW.

I just finished reading The Hobbit. Wow, now that is an adventure story. Modern fanfics/excuses for literature pale in comparison. Sad aboutThorin and Fili and Kili though, and I probably would'nt have hidden/secretly traded the Arkenstone like Bilbo did.
I neead MOAR!!11!!one!!1
Why don't most school use real literature like this in English/Lit. classes?

This is Perfect.

Rood screen, conical chasuble, sedilia, English altar, Lenten array and houseling-cloths. The only problem is that there's too many candles on the altar! Get rid of the six and keep two!

It's Luffy and Ace!

From One Piece.

horror of horrors!

I've lost my manuscript book! It has my mass settings in it! D:
*ETA: I found it behind the bed.

Books.

I have a small but significant collection of old Catholic books.
I was happy about adding the Daily Roman Missal to my collection, which along with my 1945 Stedman "My Lenten Missal", 1965 St.Joseph Daily Missal, and 1975 St.Joseph Sunday Missal make up my collection of hand missals. I also have some liturgical books: the original Book of Catholic Worship, from which the modern Worship hymnal is descended from. I had until recently a 1924 Kyriale in modern notation, and a few St.Gregory hymnals, and a book printed in 1932 containing modern motets and mass settings, mostly from Italian composers, but I donated them. I have a small missal printed in 1967 that has the rite of mass as authorised by the bishops of the U.S. I also had an original copy of the 'Missa in honorem S.Ioseph' by Lodewijk de Vocht, but the church I borrowed it from wanted it back. (To be consigned to a dusty clutterred choir loft, unused for another 50 years while they use 'Gory and Craze".)
I have devotional manuals as well: A manual of devotions to Our Lady of Fatima, published in 1946, a prayer card with information from "The Queen's Work" (I would love to have more information on this group if possible.) The Three hour's Agony Service, printed in 1922, a leaflet about the love of Jesus and Mary, printed in 1955, as well as many, many holy cards.
I hope I can soon add some more things to the collection.

It;s like my life story...

.....Kind of.
Interesting that the kids seem to know their responses by heart, but father needs a card.

Photos.

Al the altar servers (All twenty something of us) took a group photo with our pastor tonight.
It sound nice and all until you try to fit twenty kids, a religious brother and a priest on the steps and footpace of an altar.
Did I mention that it took practically forever because:
a) Brother David apparently doesn't know how to count down
b) The camera randomly decides when it wants to take photos.
c) Fr. Matthew is a perfectionist. I can't count how many times I heard "To the left. Mr N, go up one step. You two , switch places. Okay, now you have to be separated by the point in the presider's chair. No , you're too close. Separated. *Yelling* DON'T MOVE! STAY STILL! Fold your hands now. No, chest height. "

Uggh.

Internet Trolls.

'American Hero' from here and recent necro-troll from here, you know what I'm talking about.
Don't you have something better to do with your lives like dance naked down the street in a cough-syrup and vodka induced stupor?

Guess whose Parish is Baptising 14 Converts this Easter?

If you guessed mine, you'd be right.
I came in with three other people, (We're all still attending and in touch.) and I'm on the fence about whether or not I would've like a large class like that. Currently, I'm leaning towards the negative.

I hit the Jackpot.

On the way to school this morning, I was saying the office when I got lost at the canticle. I was trying to find my place when I noticed a slightly dirty leather-bound book with gilded pages lying on the side of the street. It looked as if it had been run over by a car or stepped/stomped on. I figured it was a bible, so I'd take it with me to school and bury it when I got home.
In reality, it was a 1934 Daily Roman Missal published by the Regina Press in New York. Most of it is actually in good condition, despite the morning drizzle and the dirt, and crushed pages. Only the proper of saints from December 6 to April 30th was significantly damaged.
The proper of seasons, the divine office and the sections of prayers are undamaged.
So I got myself a free, original, Daily Roman Missal. It's basically the pre-55'/pre-62'version of the Baronius Press Missal
Look at everything inside it! And it was Free! I win! I WIN!

Oh Yeah!

Nope, not this.
I scored an 87 on my latest work on my school's dreaded "Jonah Project" (half hermeneutics, half English grammar it is.) I ended up doing 10 or 11 pages of sentence diagramming, observations and questions. I DO NOT want to hear the words "Conjugate this verb" ever again.

happy Lady Day!

Went to 'low mass' at the parish church, then doubled-back because I forgot my breviary and my Imitation of Christ. Dad forgot to leave money, so no breakfast or lunch, and potato chips for dinner.
I sang vespers using the antiphons in the Liber, but using the modern breviary of course. Rosary at the shrine (Joyful mysteries as a break from the lenten sorrowful mysteries) Passiontide will soon be upon us, and then holy week and the sacred triduum. Looked at the office for holy saturday , the mass of Palm Sunday, and the introit for next Sunday, passion sunday. I'm so glad that vespers are only recited on monotone, not sung during the triduum.
At organ practice tomorrow, I'll try the french trumpet with the antiphonale l open so I can hear it's full volume.
*ETA* My Gosh, that's Loud. It competes with the en chamades. I was actually scared when I played a chord because of the volume.

Music Update.(Or how Joe often does retarded things,)

Yes. It was just now that I noticed that ALL the divisions are enclosed (Except the antiphonale in the chancel.) So I'm wondering why it's not as loud as when the regular organist plays it, even on full organ. You dunce, open the shutters. Speaking of which, I'm not used to the action of the swell/great/choir pedals. I'm used to barker levers and trackers, and counterbalanced pedals that you need to put your force on to move.
Notes;
1) The en chamades are Gourgeous! That Festival Trumpet! It so compliments the resonance (2+ seconds. Three before they padded some of the pews.)
2) I think I'm overusing the Soubasse 32'
3) Why does the lowest C have to cipher constantly?
4) There are no 8' flutes on any divisions except the harmonic flutes, flute coeleste, and the flute a cheminee. (Not used to any of these, so I can't build my own chorus.)
5) The Oboe is a bit weak.
6) I'm afraid to use the 16'Pousaune or the 32' Tromba. Wow, talk about LOUD. They literally make the windows in the loft shake.
7) There's no swell to pedal 4'?
8) I'm getting used to pistons. 4 is good for quiet solos (Think this) Don't use nine or ten, since they are organo pleno with the dreaded Pousaune and Tromba. 6 is good to start off a postlude, 1-3 for communion meditations.
9) I totally nailed my improvs on St.Anne. Start off with the french Trumpet in the antiphonal, then the en chamade Festival underpinned by pedals.
10) Time to start Chant improvisations. You know, like the master, Daniel Roth, or Durufle.
You have to admit: That fugue on the Kyrie is unbeleivable.
I don't think I'll dare to call myself a liturgical organist untill I can master improvisation. Yes, I know that you have to go to an expensive music school for six years, make a trip to France, work at a large parish or cathedral and generally have loads of resources untill you can improvise like this, but I want to be able to do it.

Lenten Look back.

So, I'm half-way through lent. I've avoided the things I gave up, and mostly kept up the practices I took up (daily rosary and chaplet of the Five Precious Wounds.) I've been reading The Imitation of Christ, which I can't fail to recommend to any and every person who wants to grow closer to Jesus. Read it twice over and pray the prayers inside, go to communion and pray to put it in practice. I'm at chapter 14 of book three now, and I'll try to pick some sections in book four for Maundy Thursday.
The little carved shrine I have has been closed since vespers of shrove Tuesday. I'll open it up for Lady Day this Wednesday. Because it's closed, the images of the Sacred heart and Our Lady are gone, and I have the image of Our Lord in his passion. I only have two holy cards on my altar, S.Joseph and S.Micheal. I would have liked to do some almsgiving but there's seriously no money for that anymore. So I've just tried to pray for others more in it's place. I've been trying to be nice to Mrs.S, a teacher at my school who seems to pride herself on making people angry at her. And she took my Tolkein because I was reading it in class after I had finished my work and was allowed to do what I wanted anyway.
Conclusion: I want Easter to come so I can have a nice cheesteak, cookies and creme ice cream, and maybe cheesecake. We had some last Wednesday, but I had to miss it. D:

Fr. Reid has a blog.

Side Linked.

*chuckles*

"97% of deviants here apparently like copying and pasting things into their signatures. If you're one of the last remaining percent who doesn't, copy and paste this into your signature."

A Prayer to S.Joseph before communion.

From my S. Joseph Sunday Missal:

O blessed Joseph, happy man, to whom it was given not only to see and to hear that God Whom many kings longed to see, and saw not, to hear, and heard not; but also to carry Him in your arms, to embrace Him, to clothe Him, and guard and defend Him.

V. Pray for us, O Blessed Joseph.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ

O God, Who has given us a royal priesthood, we beseech Thee, that as Blessed Joseph was found worthy to touch with his hands, and to bear in his arms, Thy only-begotten Son, born of the Virgin Mary, so may we be made fit, by cleanness of heart and blamelessness of life, to minister at Thy holy altar; may we, this day, with reverent devotion partake of the Sacred Body and Blood of Thy Only-begotten Son, and may we in the world to come be accounted worthy of receiving an ever-lasting reward. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Joe sometimes does retarded things.

So I'm recovering from my bout with Senioritis by doing some weekend work on my term paper (Including re-writing my thesis. It was okay but not really forceful considering the subject.) I'm killing myself about the number of note cards: 150. D:
So I have 60-70 done, and I decide to do another 20 (I work in twenties when I do note cards and twos when I write pages. Just a weird quirk of mine.) I pick up the packet of directions ( seven pages of single-spaced directions, including some diagrams. Dude is real specific about how he wants this done) to check if my format is right, and I notice that it says:

Notecards: 75-100.

Yes, it's on the front page of a packet that I've had since February.
And I never noticed it.
Even after I did 60-70 cards.
And I've looked at it repeatedly.
Someone should give me a Darwin Award.

The Kool-Aid is wearing off?

I was reading a popular local newspaper on Monday, and I was seriously, totally shocked at two articles contained therein. The first was an article about America's financial situation which toward the end entertained the possibility that the current regime doesn't know what they're doing. A second was about the president's war policy, and dared to question that he isn't really the peace candidate, and thall all those promises to remove troops were cover-ups. The last, and my favorite, was one which states quite unequivocally, that the media was obsessed with Pres.Obama when he was just a cndidate, and did all they could to promote him, even going so far as to ignore or supress obvious failings of his while doing all they could to make known everyone elses. (Something they're still doing: Ignoring his back-pedaling and hypocrisy,for example, when he attacks his opponents for a supporting a particular policy, then supports it himself, for example.) Another complained about the misuse of bailout money (Let it be said that I knew this was going to happen. I'll see if I can reference the post.) Saying that he though that Obama was supossed to fix this.
It's such a surprise: The media being almost objective.
(I say almost because they screwed it up what the pope said again in order to get a headline. What is this? tenth time in a row?)

S.Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin,

Pray for us!

Triddum in honour of S.Joseph (Last Day)

Day Three:

Unhappily, the sins we have committed call down upon us the heaviest scourges: this we must confess.In what ark shall we take refuge in order to be saved? Were shall we find the blessed rainbow that shall give us comfort and hope in the midst of our afflictions" "Go to Joseph", the Eternal Father seems to say, "Go to him who took my place on earth with regard to My Son made man. I entrusted to is keeping my Son, who is the unfailing source of grace; therefore, every grace is in his hands." Pity us, then , dear Joseph, pity us, by thy great love for the almighty God, wo as been so generous to thee.

Our Father...hail Mary...Glory Be.

To which is added the Litany of S.Joseph, and the following prayer:

MOST powerful patriarch S.Joseph, patron of the universal church,which as always invoked thee in anxiety and trouble, from the exalted seat of thy glory cast a loving glance upon the whole Catholic world. Let thy fatherly heart be touched at the sight of the Mystical Spouse and the Vicar of Christ overwhelmed with sorrows and persecuted by powerful enemies. Oh, by the bitter anguish thou didst experience upon earth, dry the tears of the venerable pontiff, defend him, comfort him, intercede for him with the Giver of Peace and charity, that, all adversity being removed and all error being dissipated, the entire church may serve God in perfect liberty.
Amen.

It is fitting that the "Praises of S.Joseph" be prayed the following day.

Triddum in honour of S.Joseph (Day Two)

Day Two

WE are fully conscious that we have offended the justice of God by our sins and deserve is most severe chastisements. Now what shall be our place of refuge? In what haven shall we find ourselves in safety? "Go to Joseph, " Jesus seems to say to us, "Go to Joseph, in whom I was well pleased and whom I ad for my foster father. To him , as to a father, I have communicated power, that he might use it for your good according to his own desire." Pity us, therefore ,O blessed Joseph, pity us, for the great love thou didst bear toward a Son so amiable and so dear.

Our Father...hail Mary...Glory Be.

To which is added the Litany of S.Joseph, and the following prayer:

MOST powerful patriarch S.Joseph, patron of the universal church,which as always invoked thee in anxiety and trouble, from the exalted seat of thy glory cast a loving glance upon the whole Catholic world. Let thy fatherly heart be touched at the sight of the Mystical Spouse and the Vicar of Christ overwhelmed with sorrows and persecuted by powerful enemies. Oh, by the bitter anguish thou didst experience upon earth, dry the tears of the venerable pontiff, defend him, comfort him, intercede for him with the Giver of Peace and charity, that, all adversity being removed and all error being dissipated, the entire church may serve God in perfect liberty.
Amen.

It's Sanji!

From the manga/anime One Piece.
Drawn by yours truly.
Look, I ran out of Celadon Green so the background didn't get finished. Either gimme a break or drop me a fiver sos I can buy some more Prismacolors.
I'm seriously considering dispensing with the letter "h" till there's money to fix my laptop.

Triddum in honour of S.Joseph (Day One)

In all the Lenten devotions and stuff, I forgot that March is S.Joseph's month.
For those who don't know what I'm talking about, traditionally, different months were set aside as time to renew one's devotion to certain peoples and devotions (Like May is dedicated to Our Lady, or July to the Precious Blood, or January to the holy Name of Jesus, etc)

From a booklet of prayers that was given to me for my confirmation:

Day One:

IN the miseries of this vale of tears, to whom shall we have recourse. O blessed Joseph, if not to thee, to whom thy beloved spouse Mary entrusted all her rich treasures, that thou migt keep them to our advantage?
"Go to my spouse, Joseph," Mary seems to say to us, "And he will comfort you, he will deliver you from the misfortunes which now oppress you and will make you happy and contented." have pity on us, therefore , O S.Joseph; have pity on us through that love which thou didst cherish toward a spouse so worthy and amiable.

Our Father...hail Mary...Glory Be.

To which is added the Litany of S.Joseph, and the following prayer:

MOST powerful patriarch S.Joseph, patron of the universal church,which as always invoked thee in anxiety and trouble, from the exalted seat of thy glory cast a loving glance upon the whole Catholic world. Let thy fatherly heart be touched at the sight of the Mystical Spouse and the Vicar of Christ overwhelmed with sorrows and persecuted by powerful enemies. Oh, by the bitter anguish thou didst experience upon earth, dry the tears of the venerable pontiff, defend him, comfort him, intercede for him with the Giver of Peace and charity, that, all adversity being removed and all error being dissipated, the entire church may serve God in perfect liberty.
Amen.

Political Spectrum Quiz.

Compass:

You are a center-right social libertarian.
Right: 1.98, Libertarian: 3.56

I've finally taken it. I didn't believe my social studied teacher when he said I was a bit of a libertarian. Who knew.
Link.

English Use Revisited.

Appareled albs, amices, Gothic vestments, and frontal at the oratory of Ss.Gregory and Augstine, St.Louis Missouri.

An interested Roman Catholic, who I won't name, asked me what this was all about.
Put simply, the English Use was a way of adding pre-reformation Catholic ceremonial to services to the Prayer Book.

Some of these customs were not peculiar to England, such as the so-called 'English Altar' The English altar was an altar that was surrounded on two (If there was a carved reredos) or three sides by curtains. At each corner was a wooden post called a 'riddel', often topped by a carved angel with a candle. (See above)These were found in almost every Flemish, French, and English church
Another example is the hanging Pyx, which as it's name describes, was a ciborium or pyx containing the Blessed Sacrament, that was veiled and suspended above the high altar or a side altar. These were very popular in medeival France as well as England.(See above)
Another example is the appareled alb and amice. The aparelled alb and amice were albs and amices worn by priests and servers that were ornamented with a square of fabric, usually matching the vestments and located on the bottom of te front and back, as well as te cuffs of the alb, and center of the amice. It's seen a small revival under some Roman Catholic groups. (See picture above.) But other ceremonies and distinctives were adapted from the Sarum Use. (Read about it here.)
Such as the Lenten array. Where Rome covered images in violet starting on the Saturday before Passion Sunday, English churches covered all images as well as the altars in coarse white linene, painted with red, black, or blue images of the passion. They did this for all of lent, starting on As Wednesday, only unveiling the cross on the Rood Screen or Rood Beam on Palm Sunday and Wednesday of holy week. (See Photo above.)
Most of this revival got it's popularity from Rev.Percy Dearmer, vicar of St.Mary's, Primrose hill, and author of the rightly famous liturgical guide The Parson's handbook. Dearmer sets out in the book an adaptation of the Sarum Use for the Prayer Book, for example, read the order of mass or the sequence of colors, for example, and compare with Sarum ceremonial.
That, in a poorly researched, quickly put together post, is the English Use.
And I think it's great.

Relics Revisited.

Remember this?
I have an update. The relics are:
At the high altar:
The True Cross
A Thorn from the Crown of Thorns
S.Fulgentius
S.Augustine
S.Peter Nolasco
S.Pius X
S.Catherine of Sienna
S.Mary Cervellon.
At the altar of Our Lady:
S.Bernadette
S.Anne
S.Peter Paschasius
At the altar of the Sacred heart of Jesus:
S.John Bosco
S.Peter Armengol
S.John Neumann
Quite a collection. I'm also glad that they have a relic of S.Catherine of Sienna, as she's one of my favorite saints. If only we had a few more people as bold and fervent as she was.
Oremus.

This photo is SO EPIC.

An Armenian Catholic Ordination. Via NLM.

Stations of the Cross.

Twelfth Station of the Cross at my parish

Tonight was my first stations and benediction of this lent. I missed the first two because I was sick. It was a good turnout, a little more than two-thirds full. Three servers as usual, but with a friar acting as MC. "O Sacred head Sore Wounded" was the hymn at the beginning. The verse and response V.We adore you, O Christ, etc, was sung before each station.
Prayers for the Pope were said. I really tried to remember the holy father for this part. I can't imagine the stress he's been under lately, so I've been trying to remember him at my masses and rosaries lately.
The sermon was great. I can't but compare it to a bad homily I heard at a local down town church on Wednesday evening. That priest made some movie references and a joke, neither of which seemed to relate to the readings. In fact, I don't know if the sermon had to do with the readings. It was long and rambling, and seemed to have several unconnected main points.
Fr.Matthew's sermon, however, was concise, relevant, and easy to follow. It effectively used a story as well.
Props to him.
So after a short few minutes of silent meditation, benediction of the most blessed sacrament. No bells, probably because I accidentally broke one set on Epiphany.
Again, my bad.
Parce Domine was sung afterwards. I love that our organist never ends hymns when the priest enters or leaves the sanctuary. That means that we get to sing all the verses of whatever hymn is sung.
An Illegal rendition of BWV533 followed, played on the antiphon division of the organ. I practiced Ichh ruf zu dir, herr Jesu Crist, and my self-composed/work in progress Toccata as well. I've changed it a bit, added some double pedaling , switcing manuals, and some pedal trills. More on that later.
Lastly, I met Fr.Matthew's brother afterwards.

Europeans.

They always say that Americans always play organ music too fast.
Yeah okay, did they forget that they have Ton Koopman and Hans Andre Stamm?
Okay, I'll admit that many do have a penchant for it, but that's more to do with the acoustics of your typical American church or music hall, resplendent with carpeting and padded furniture.

S.Laurence

(Click for full size! )
Somewhere along the way, I lost interest in finishing it.

Added.

Go here.
h

I have a confession to make.

All Saints, high Wycombe,Buckinghamshire, in red for Sundays after Pentecost, with riddels, hanging pyx, and Warham altar frontal.

I feel like I'm pretending about this, and I don't feel right hiding this any more. It's a part of me that I don;t talk about or express, but I should talk about it now.
I'm not really attracted to the more Roman than Roman style of liturgy. Nope, I don't think I've been for the past three years. I might have spent more than a few odd Sundays and holy days at St.Clem's, and I might own my own cotta, but if I could really have it my way, I mean Really go all out and do it my way, you know what I'd like?
English Use, or something similar thereof.
No fiddlebacks, or lacy cottas, or altars dwarfed by sugar-cookie marble reredoses with a Big Six.
Instead, nice real Gothic vestments.Not semi-gothic, but the real thing. Like Warham Guild or something. And apparelled albs and amices on servers and clergy. holy Rood Guild has some nice stuff too (Though certainly all overly expensive.) Definitely a rood, maybe a full rood screen. Riddle posts with curtains, proper sediliae, an Easter sepulchre , and maybe even a hanging Pyx are a must. And I'm sure that to some extent, you could fit it all into Roman ceremonial. And don't think that I have'nt read The Parson's handbook and tried to figure out a way.
But none of this is really possibe unless you have a place like St.Birinius', so it's all wishful thinking.
Gotta go to the store now!

*Adds*

Go here.

False Dichotomies and Soteriology.

I go to a Protestant prep school, a good one I might add, and today during lunch I was cleaning out my locker a bit. I overheard the theology teacher lecturing the juniors on soteriology. he posed one question, and it seriously sounded ridiculous.
It was about whether God is sovereign over salvation, or it's up to us.
Said false dichotomy was that he says that if God does not totally and completely control salvation, than it means that we totally and completely control our salvation. That means that we save ourselves, and that's against the bible. I let it go, but I think he's wrong to say that you're either an Infra- (Or who knows, maybe even Supra-) lapsarian , or you're a Pelagian. There are no other views. Do not pass go. Do not collect 200$.
It's quite a shock that given his extensive seminary training (he's working on a doctorate) That he's not heard of Arminianism of Molinism. Maybe he has, but discredits such a view.
I can't describe my views on said subject, as I've simply given up trying to understand it. I have some general ideas, but it's nothing cohesive, and I'm bound to change them.

Seems that I can't give up sweets for Lent.

I forgot that if I go too long without some kind of sugar, I get these terrible migraine-like headaches. I'm not sure exactly what causes them, but seriously, for health, I don't think I can give up sweets.
I know, this totally sounds like a lie.

Oh No! It's the Second Week of Lent!

That means it's time to start learning all the chants for holy Week.
It's so much to learn what with tenebrae antiphons at lauds, the psalm tones, the ant. Christus factus est, etc. I know most of the stuff used during the masses and Good Friday Mass of the Presanctified. What I don;t know is the office. I've always sung it either on one note or psalm tones. I went over Maundy Thursday and Lauds of Good Friday.
Interesting thing to note, the last antiphon at Lauds (Crucem Tuam Adoremus) Is nearly identical to the Mysterium acclamation at holy mass ( Mortem Tuam Anuntiamus) So througout the year, the sacrifice Our Lord made on Good Friday is perpetually linked to the mystery of the sacrifice of the mass.
Love it.
I wish there were a recording of the tenbrae office somewhere (It does'nt matter if it's the older office. 99% of the 1969 holy week offices are simply taken from the 1962 breviary.)
When are we going to get an antiphonal or a Liber Usualis for the 1969 breviary and missal?!

It's On!

The world baseball classic is on!
*Leaves to watch*

So tell me....

......At the beginning of mass, do you kiss the biretta followed by the priest's hand, or is it hand first then biretta?
I served mass today and wasn't sure.

Awesome.

(Click for full size. It's worth it.)

My latest deviation. I have more, so go here.

Chant: Second Sunday of Lent.

I'm getting back on this as a form of personal discipline. I learned the Introit Reminiscere, the Tract Non in Solo, and the Offertory Meditabor in mandatis tuis. I'll do the communion ant. from the Graduale Simplex as usual, so it's the antiphon Visionem quam vidistis with verses of psalm 44. I already learned the hymn Audi Benigne Conditor, so I'll see if I can tackle this Sunday's proper antiphons for the office. Otherwise, more psalm tones.

D.A.

I totally got a second favorite on my picture of Our Lady of Lourdes. I have some avi art of my gaia avi that I made for myself. I also want to pload my Ookiku Furikabutte sketchdump. I'll see if the scanner works.
Oh, I'm not scheduled to serve this Sunday, so I can go to the 7:30 mass at Lourdes this week. Silence, good for lent.
Oh yeah, last thing: EPIC AWESOMENESS- Magnificat Sexti Toni, T.L. De Vittoria

FOOD.

Because it's lent and I've given up meat again. I think I might give up sweets too, but only after I've finished off the Frosted Flakes and blueberry waffles. We're not in a position to waste food like that.
Do you know how hard it is to find meatless dishes that are somewhat palatable without being so good they're practically not Lenten food? It's a hard balance to find, so I've mostly been eating plain pizza, fries, ramen, and plain potato chips. I'm trying a plain stromboli tonight for dinner*. I've also had chicken fried rice with the chicken picked out and given to the cat**, and this disgusting pasta mix-thing my dad got for me from Trader Joe's. I had grilled cheese after Ash Wednesday, but I think it was those sanwiches that gave me the Death Sickness that makes certain things taste like gasoline. Yes, I'll admitit, I broke down last week when I was sick and had chicken soup. On a Friday no less. I think I'll pick uo some chicken-flavoured ramen cups, and a couple yakisoba and this-other-flavour-I get-from-the-Korean-grocery-shop-whose-name-I-don't-remember.
I want to try some meatless lasagna too, but there's no mozzarella around.
Unfortunately, other than cereal, I've mostly had to omit breakfast. D:
It's almost time for vespers, then dinner.
Not going to the youth group meeting tonight. I'm too tired to serve mass, and I can't dance anyway. You know, racism aside, I'm the rare black peson who's mixed enough that he does'nt have any rhythm. (They're doing salsa dancing.
*I usually get steak, fried onion and peppers.
** Aparrently under the pre-83' rules, working-class people and sick people were dispensed of the requirements anyway, except on Fridays.

Ok.

I feel better now. b

Just one post...

....Until I get better. I was going to take a break, but this is too much. You know that Kennedy Failure-I mean fellow, who's systematically created a cult of personality and is gladly leading his flock skipping merrily into perdition as they sing "Puff the Magic Dragon"?*
This is his last statement:

"We are a Vatican II community - at least, we try to be."

ELL-O-FRIGGIN'-ELLZ ARE YOU SERIOUS?!
I'm lost. What part of Vatican II suports him? This part?:

"Though they differ from one another in essence and not only in degree, the common priesthood of the faithful and the ministerial or hierarchical priesthood are nonetheless interrelated: each of them in its own special way is a participation in the one priesthood of Christ." (Lumen Gentium)

Oh Noes! Vatican II says that the priesthood of the baptized and the ministerial priesthood are essentially different. Not just differrent, but Essentially so. But Fr.Kennedy says that we're all priests in the exact same way, so we can all celebrate the mass.
Was it this part?

"This Sacred Council, following closely in the footsteps of the First Vatican Council, with that Council teaches and declares that Jesus Christ, the eternal Shepherd, established His holy Church, having sent forth the apostles as He Himself had been sent by the Father; and He willed that their successors, namely the bishops, should be shepherds in His Church even to the consummation of the world. (Lumen Gentium 136)

Oh Noes! Vatican II says that Our Lord intended and did establish the church. But Fr. Kennedy says that Christ did not intend to start a church.
Maybe this part?:

"Bishops, therefore, with their helpers, the priests and deacons, have taken up the service of the community, ( presiding in place of God over the flock,( whose shepherds they are, as teachers for doctrine, priests for sacred worship, and ministers for governing.." (Lumen Gentium 11*)

Oh noes! Vatican II says that priests are to be the bishop's helpers. But Fr.Kennedy says that he can defy/be disobedient to his bishop.
Ok, Ok, Maybe this Part?:

"1. Regulation of the sacred liturgy depends solely on the authority of the Church, that is, on the Apostolic See and, as laws may determine, on the bishop.
3. Therefore no other person, even if he be a priest, may add, remove, or change anything in the liturgy on his own authority."(Sacrosanctum Concilium 22)

Oh noes! Vatican II says that no person may ever change the liturgy on their own authority. But Fr.Kennedy says that he can invalidate baptisms by changeing the words, and that he can write his own eucharistic prayers/Make up his own mass.
This part then?

"He Who is "the image of the invisible God" (Col. 1:15), is Himself the perfect man. To the sons of Adam He restores the divine likeness which had been disfigured from the first sin onward. Since human nature as He assumed it was not annulled, by that very fact it has been raised up to a divine dignity in our respect too. For by His incarnation the Son of God has united Himself in some fashion with every man. He worked with human hands, He thought with a human mind, acted by human choice and loved with a human heart. Born of the Virgin Mary, He has truly been made one of us, like us in all things except sin." (Gaudium et Spes 21-24)

Oh Noes! Vatican II says that Our Lord Jesus is the Son of God And he was born of a Virgin. But Fr.Kennedy says that Our Lord was only a man, and that no one is stupid enough to beleive in the virgin birth these days.

You get my point. Fr.Kennedy is not about the Second Vatican Council. he has nothing to do with Vatican II. From this, you can see he does'nt give a flip about Vatican II, since he goes on contradicting what the fathers said, making up his own opinions and then trying to use the council as a scapegoat for his own actions. It's intellectual dishonesty I say!


*We all know what that song was really about. That explains why he'd be singing it.