Monday, February 05, 2007
2007 Catholic Blog Awards Nominations
Nominate your favorite Catholic blogs: http://www.catholicblogawards.com
Friday, February 02, 2007
Candlemas
February 2nd is Candlemas, the 40th day from Christmas (if count Christmas Day as day 1). This is the end of the Epiphany season, and it is fitting that any remaining Christmas decorations or greenery such as holly, wreaths, poinsettias, and such forth be removed today in anticipation of Lent.
It commemorates the Holy Family going to the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, in order to fulfill their obligations under the Mosaic Law. For a male child, this would occur 40 days after birth, and for a female child, 80 days. This would return the mother to ritual cleanliness.
The very earliest celebrations of this feast in Jerusalem was 40 days after Epiphany (which as a liturgical super-feast also commemorates Christ birth).
In the Tridentine calendar this day is called the Purification of the Blessed Virgin; under the reformed calendar it is called the Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple. Under the old rituals preceding the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, beeswax candles would be blessed on this day. Candlemas has extensive secular observance in Europe.
In European folklore, on this day hibernating animals would leave their dens and inspect the weather, possibly returning to their dens for an additional 40 days of winter. This is the origin of the American secular observance of Groundhog Day.
Tonight at 7 p.m., Candlemas will be celebrated at Saint Francis de Sales Oratory, with the Blessing of Candles, Candlelight Procession, and Solemn High Mass.
It commemorates the Holy Family going to the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, in order to fulfill their obligations under the Mosaic Law. For a male child, this would occur 40 days after birth, and for a female child, 80 days. This would return the mother to ritual cleanliness.
The very earliest celebrations of this feast in Jerusalem was 40 days after Epiphany (which as a liturgical super-feast also commemorates Christ birth).
In the Tridentine calendar this day is called the Purification of the Blessed Virgin; under the reformed calendar it is called the Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple. Under the old rituals preceding the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, beeswax candles would be blessed on this day. Candlemas has extensive secular observance in Europe.
In European folklore, on this day hibernating animals would leave their dens and inspect the weather, possibly returning to their dens for an additional 40 days of winter. This is the origin of the American secular observance of Groundhog Day.
Tonight at 7 p.m., Candlemas will be celebrated at Saint Francis de Sales Oratory, with the Blessing of Candles, Candlelight Procession, and Solemn High Mass.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Why is it Called an Oratory?
According to Canon 1223 of the Code of Canon Law: "By the term oratory is understood a place for divine worship designated by permission of the ordinary for the benefit of some community or group of the faithful who gather in it and to which other members of the faithful can also come with the consent of the competent superior."
This should be contrasted with a chapel, which is private, and a church, which is specifically for the general public.
This should be contrasted with a chapel, which is private, and a church, which is specifically for the general public.
Upcoming Events at the Oratory
UPCOMING EVENTS at Saint Francis de Sales Oratory, in Saint Louis, Missouri, home to the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest:
Friday, February 2nd, 7 p.m.: Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Candlemas Day). Blessing of Candles, Candlelight Procession, and Solemn High Mass.
February 18th — 20th: Forty Hours Devotion.
Sunday, February 18th, 10 a.m.: Solemn High Mass with Exposition of the
Blessed Sacrament and Procession, celebrated by His Excellency, The Most Reverend Robert Hermann, Auxiliary Bishop in St. Louis. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed for adoration the whole day. Reposition at 6 p.m.
Monday, February 19th, 8 a.m.: Low Mass, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament after this Mass; 12:10 p.m.: Low Mass at St. Joseph's Altar; 7 p.m.: Solemn High Mass, Votive Mass of the Blessed Sacrament.
Tuesday, February 20th, 8 a.m.: Low Mass, and Exposition of the Blessed
Sacrament; 12:10 p.m. Low Mass at St. Joseph's Altar; 7 p.m. Solemn High Mass with Procession and Benediction.
Wednesday, February 21st: Ash Wednesday — Lent Begins. During Lent on Wednesdays and Fridays additional Masses and Confessions, on Fridays followed by the Stations of the Cross. Masses at 8 a.m., 12:10 p.m., 7 p.m. Confessions before and during all masses.
Friday, March 2nd: Lenten Retreat at the Oratory. Preached by the Very Reverend Msgr. R. Michael Schmitz, Vicar General and Provincial Superior of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest in the United States.
First Friday 7 p.m.: Solemn High Mass with Benediction. Homilist: The Right Rev. Thomas Frerking, OSB, Abbot of St. Louis Abbey.
Saturday, March 3rd: Second Day of the Lenten Retreat. 10 a.m.: Conference by His Grace the Most Reverend Raymond L. Burke, Archbishop of St. Louis followed by Solemn Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction. 3 p.m., Solemn High Mass: Votive Mass of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Not at the Oratory:
Wednesday, March 7th 7 p.m.: [Tridentine calendar] Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas, Patron of the Institute—Plenary Indulgence. Solemn High Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis.
Friday, February 2nd, 7 p.m.: Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Candlemas Day). Blessing of Candles, Candlelight Procession, and Solemn High Mass.
February 18th — 20th: Forty Hours Devotion.
Sunday, February 18th, 10 a.m.: Solemn High Mass with Exposition of the
Blessed Sacrament and Procession, celebrated by His Excellency, The Most Reverend Robert Hermann, Auxiliary Bishop in St. Louis. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed for adoration the whole day. Reposition at 6 p.m.
Monday, February 19th, 8 a.m.: Low Mass, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament after this Mass; 12:10 p.m.: Low Mass at St. Joseph's Altar; 7 p.m.: Solemn High Mass, Votive Mass of the Blessed Sacrament.
Tuesday, February 20th, 8 a.m.: Low Mass, and Exposition of the Blessed
Sacrament; 12:10 p.m. Low Mass at St. Joseph's Altar; 7 p.m. Solemn High Mass with Procession and Benediction.
Wednesday, February 21st: Ash Wednesday — Lent Begins. During Lent on Wednesdays and Fridays additional Masses and Confessions, on Fridays followed by the Stations of the Cross. Masses at 8 a.m., 12:10 p.m., 7 p.m. Confessions before and during all masses.
Friday, March 2nd: Lenten Retreat at the Oratory. Preached by the Very Reverend Msgr. R. Michael Schmitz, Vicar General and Provincial Superior of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest in the United States.
First Friday 7 p.m.: Solemn High Mass with Benediction. Homilist: The Right Rev. Thomas Frerking, OSB, Abbot of St. Louis Abbey.
Saturday, March 3rd: Second Day of the Lenten Retreat. 10 a.m.: Conference by His Grace the Most Reverend Raymond L. Burke, Archbishop of St. Louis followed by Solemn Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction. 3 p.m., Solemn High Mass: Votive Mass of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Not at the Oratory:
Wednesday, March 7th 7 p.m.: [Tridentine calendar] Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas, Patron of the Institute—Plenary Indulgence. Solemn High Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis.
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