Novena at the Oratory

I am late in reposting this, but Saint Francis de Sales Oratory is holding a novena in preparation for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. The full schedule is:

Monday, 11/29, 6:30 PM: Canon Matthew Talarico “Dogma of the Immaculate Conception: Historical Turning Point, Life Changing Truth”

Tuesday, 11/30, 6:30 PM: Father Brian Harrison “Scriptural Basis of the Immaculate Conception”

Wednesday, 12/1, 6:30 PM: Father Eric Kunz “Mary the Mediatrix of all Grace”

Thursday, 12/2, 6:30 PM: Canon Aaron Huberfeld “The Immaculate Conception and the Queenship of Mary”

Friday, 12/3, 6:30 PM The Most Reverend Robert Hermann “Our Lady of Guadalupe — The Answer to Secularism”

Saturday, 12/4, 8:00 AM Father Thomas Keller “The Immaculate Conception and the Catholic Priesthood”

Sunday, 12/5, 10:00 AM: Father Michael Witt “Mary speaks to France — Three Confirmations of the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception”

Monday, 12/6, 6:30 PM: Canon William Avis “Immaculate Conception, victory over the devil”

Tuesday, 12/7, 6:30 PM: Father Gregory Lockwood “St. Ambrose and the Blessed Virgin”

"Survey on Strategies to Achieve Archbishop Carlson's Vision for Catholic Schools"

FROM THE ARCHDIOCESE of Saint Louis:

Archbishop Robert J. Carlson invites the people of the archdiocese to participate in a survey about strategies for accomplishing his vision for Catholic schools.

Click here to record your opinion. The survey will be open until December 17^th.

Advent Begins

THE END of the liturgical year reminds us of the Four Last Things: Death, Judgement, Heaven and Hell. This uncomfortable reminder is ultimately good for us, for it helps inculcate in us a spirit of careful prudence and a healthy fear of the Lord. The beginning of the liturgical year, Advent, continues the theme of the end of the world, and eventually leads from the second coming of Christ in glory at the end of the age, to the first coming of Christ as a babe in Bethlehem.

We are now in Advent. The Latin word adventus, according to the Lewis and Short dictionary, means ‘a coming, an approach, arrival’, in particular the approach of a sovereign or lord. Here is an ancient hymn of Advent, in 19^th century translation:

Creator alme siderum
A Hymn for Advent

Creator of the stars of night,
Thy people's everlasting light,
Jesu, Redeemer, save us all,
And hear thy servants when they call.

Thou, grieving that the ancient curse
Should doom to death an universe,
Hast found the medicin, full of grace,
To save and heal a ruined race.

Thou camest, the Bridegroom of the Bride,
As drew the world to evening tide,
Proceeding from a virgin shrine,
The spotless Victim all divine.

At whose dread Name, majestic now,
All knees must bend, all hearts must bow;
And things celestial thee shall own
And things terrestrial, Lord alone.

O thou whose coming is with dread,
To judge and doom the quick and dead,
Preserve us, while we dwell below,
From every insult of the foe.

All praise, eternal Son, to thee
Whose Advent doth thy people free;
Whom with the Father we adore,
And Holy Ghost, for evermore. Amen.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Summer's Last Glory

AS SUMMER FADES and winter's cold approaches, the land bursts forth with a blaze of final glory. Here are some photos of the last few bits of autumn color.





The last rose of summer, in my parents' back yard.



The following photos were taken at Broemmelsiek Park, in Saint Charles County, Missouri.



While some urban vegetation still has autumn foliage, in our native forests the trees have already dropped their leaves. On first examination, there are no colors other than brown, but we rather ought to look more closely.