Masses: New Year's Day

We are reminded that Jan 1, New Year's Day, is a day of obligation for Catholics. There is a full schedule of Latin Masses to meet that requirement.

8am Low Mass, Immaculate Conception
9:30am High Mass, St. Stephen
12pm High Mass, Immaculate Conception

St. Stephen, Dec 26

The words of Dom Gueranger, from The Liturgical Year....

The Church gives us, in to-day's Office, this opening of a Sermon of St. Fulgentius for the Feast of St. Stephen: "Yesterday, we celebrated the temporal Birth of our eternal King: to-day, we celebrate the triumphant passion of his Soldier. Yesterday, our King, having put on the garb of our flesh, came from the sanctuary of his Mother's virginal womb, and mercifully visited the earth: to-day, his Soldier, quitting his earthly tabernacle, entered triumphantly into heaven. Jesus, whilst still continuing to be the eternal God, assumed to himself the lowly raiment of flesh, and entered the battle-field of this world: Stephen, laying aside the perishable garment of the body, ascended to the palace of heaven, there to reign for ever. Jesus descended veiled in our flesh: Stephen ascended wreathed with a martyr's laurels. Stephen ascended to heaven amidst the shower of stones, because Jesus had descended on earth midst the singing of Angels. Yesterday, the holy Angels exultingly sang, Glory be to God in the highest; to-day, they joyously received Stephen into their company. ... Yesterday, was Jesus wrapped, for our sakes, in swaddling-clothes: to-day, was Stephen clothed with the robe of immortal glory. Yesterday, a narrow crib contained the Infant Jesus: to-day, the immensity of the heavenly court received the triumphant Stephen."

Now, the glorious Martyr-band of Christ is headed by St. Stephen. His name signifies the Crowned; - a conqueror like him could not be better named. He marshals, in the name of Christ, the white-robed army, as the Church calls the Martyrs; for, he was the first, even before the Apostles themselves, to receive the summons, and right nobly did he answer it. Stephen courageously bore witness, in the presence of the Jewish Synagogue, to the divinity of Jesus of Nazareth; by thus proclaiming the Truth, he offended the ears of the unbelievers; the enemies of God, became the enemies of Stephen, and, rushing upon him, they stone him to death. Amidst the pelting of the blood-drawing missives, he, like a true soldier, flinches not, but stands, (as St. Gregory of Nyssa so beautifully describes it,) as though snow-flakes were falling on him, or roses were covering him with the shower of their kisses. Through the cloud of stones, he sees the glory of God; - Jesus, for whom he was laying down his life, showed himself to his Martyr, and the Martyr again rendered testimony to the divinity of our Emmanuel, but with all the energy of a last act of love. Then, to make his sacrifice complete, he imitates his divine Master, and prays for his executioners: falling on his knees, he begs that this sin be not laid to their charge. Thus, all is consummated - the glorious type of Martyrdom is created, and shown to the world, that it may be imitated, by every generation, to the end of time, until the number of the Martyrs of Christ shall be filled up. Stephen sleeps in the Lord, and is buried in peace - in pace - until his sacred Tomb shall be discovered, and his glory be celebrated a second time in the whole Church, by that anticipated Resurrection of the miraculous Invention of his Relics.

Stephen, then, deserves to stand near the Crib of his King, as leader of those brave champions, the Martyrs, who died for the Divinity of that Babe, whom we adore. Let us join the Church in praying to our Saint, that he help us to come to our Sovereign Lord, now lying on his humble throne in Bethlehem. Let us ask him to initiate us into the mystery of that divine Infancy, which we are all bound to know and imitate. It was from the simplicity he had learnt from that Mystery, that he heeded not the number of the enemies he had to fight against, nor trembled at their angry passion, nor winced under their blows, nor hid from them the Truth and their crimes, nor forgot to pardon them and pray for them. What a faithful imitator of the Babe of Bethlehem! Our Jesus did not send his Angels to chastise those unhappy Bethlehemites, who refused a shelter to the Virgin-Mother, who in a few hours was to give birth to Him, the Son of David. He stays not the fury of Herod, who plots his Death - but meekly flees into Egypt, like some helpless bondsman, escaping the threats of a tyrant lordling. But, it is under such apparent weakness as this, that he will show his Divinity to men, and He the Infant-God prove himself the Strong God. Herod will pass away, so will his tyranny; Jesus will live, greater in his Crib, where he makes a King tremble, than is, under his borrowed majesty, this prince-tributary of Rome; nay, than Caesar-Augustus himself, whose world-wide empire has no other destiny than this - to serve as handmaid to the Church, which is to be founded by this Babe, whose name stands humbly written in the official registry of Bethlehem.

Masses: Christmas

Here is the schedule of Latin Masses for Christmas.

Christmas Eve, Dec 24
Midnight Mass, Solemn High, Immaculate Conception
The parish wants you to know that there will be security on duty in the parking lot that night.

Christmas Day, Dec 25
8am Low Mass, Immaculate Conception
9:30am High Mass, St. Stephen
12pm High Mass, Immaculate Conception
6pm Low Mass, St. Rocco

Masses - Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

Just a quick note about the Latin Masses scheduled for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, Saturday, Dec. 8. This is an holy day of obligation. Catholics are required to attend Mass on both Saturday (the 8th) and Sunday (the 9th).

Low Mass, 7am, Immaculate Conception, Cleveland
High Mass, 9:30am, St. Stephen
Solemn High Mass, 6:30pm, Immaculate Conception, Cleveland

*For those who regularly attend Mass in the Ordinary Form, the Saturday Vigil Mass will not satisfy the obligation for the Immaculate Conception. Please pass this information along to those who may benefit from it.

Masses on Thanksgiving Day

On Thanksgiving Day, both Immaculate Conception and St. Stephen will offer Low Latin Masses at 8am.

We sincerely wish you a blessed and enjoyable Thanksgiving Day!

O God of Whose mercies there is no number, and of Whose goodness the treasure is infinite: we render thanks to Thy most gracious Majesty for the gifts Thou hast bestowed upon us, always beseeching Thy clemency; that as Thou grantest the petitions of them that ask Thee, Thou wilt never forsake them, but wilt prepare them for the greater rewards that still await.

Collect, from the Votive Mass of Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving?...Catholic?....Really?

Yes. Forget everything you learned. The American textbooks tell you the first thanksgiving was celebrated by pilgrims and Native Americans in about 1621. But, years before that, in about 1565, in the eldest city of this nation, St. Augustine, Florida, Catholics celebrated Thanksgiving.

In 1565, Pedro Menindez de Avilis, the Spanish founder of St. Augustine, and 800 Spanish settlers shared in a Mass of Thanksgiving. Following the Mass, Menindez ordered a communal meal to be shared by the Spaniards and the Seloy Indians who occupied the landing site. 

This history can be found in The Cross in the Sand, by Michael Gannon, an expert on Florida colonial history and professor of history at the University of Florida.

And, of course, Eucharist means Thanksgiving.

Set a Soul in Purgatory Free

This is a reminder that a plenary indulgence may be granted for a soul suffering in purgatory anytime during the octave of All Souls, Nov 1 to Nov 8, by doing the following, as prescribed by the ENCHIRIDION INDULGENTIARUM:

13. Visit to a Cemetery (Coemeterii visitatio)
An indulgence, applicable only to the Souls in Purgatory, is granted to the faithful, who devoutly visit a cemetery and pray, even if only mentally, for the departed. 

The indulgence is plenary each day from the 1st to the 8th of November; on other days of the year it is partial.

In order for the indulgence to be plenary, the following conditions must be met, in addition to the visit and prayers at the cemetery:

1. Sacramental confession within “about twenty days” of the actual day of the Plenary Indulgence. 
2. Eucharistic Communion on the day of the Plenary Indulgence. 
3. Prayer for the intentions of the Pope on the day of the Plenary Indulgence. 
4. It is further required that all attachment to sin, even venial sin, be absent.

An Evening of Russian Choral Music

Support Good Sacred Music! Free Event

Wednesday, Nov. 7 at 7:30pm

The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist

East Ninth Street & Superior Avenue

216-771-6666, ext. 5510

Free parking is available in the Cathedral Plaza Garage

on the SE corner of Rockwell Ave. and East 9th St.

All concerts are free and open to the public; no tickets are required.

A free-will offering will be taken.

Tenebrae (UK) http://www.tenebrae-choir.com/

Nigel Short, Founder/Director

Tenebrae is a professional chamber choir from Great Britain, founded by Nigel Short and Barbara Pollock. Often performing by candlelight, the choir creates an atmosphere of spiritual and musical reflection, where medieval chant and renaissance works are interspersed with contemporary compositions to create an ethereal mood of contemplation. Its members are drawn from the ranks of many distinguished choirs: the Monteverdi Choir, the choirs of Westminster Abbey and Cathedral, and King’s College Cambridge. Many of Tenebrae’s singers have worked with leading vocal groups, including I Fagiolini, Tallis Scholars, Swingle Singers and The King’s Singers. Contributing to the dramatic qualities of Tenebrae’s performing style are singers from Britain’s two major opera houses, Covent Garden and English National Opera.

New Poll

We just wanted to call your attention to the first poll posted on the TLM Friends blog. The poll question is simply: How do you find out about updates to the Cleveland TLM Friends blog?

The reason for this poll is because of feedback we have received recently. It seems that some, perhaps many, simply wait for new posts to be delivered to their email through the blog subscription service. Unfortunately, we have received feedback that not all blog posts arrive in a timely fashion or even at all. For example, the Oct 31 post concerning the Solemnity of All Saints still hasn't arrived in email, but is actively on the blog. The point is that if you only wait for email subscription updates, you may never get them, or you will get them late. We are not sure how to resolve this issue.

On the other hand, we have received feedback that some readers of the blog regularly check it. This is perhaps the best way to stay up to date with any blog posts.

As always, we encourage readers to send us feedback.

The poll can be found in the right hand column, and will run throughout November, if you are interested in participating.

Requiem Aeternam Dona Eis Domine

Remember the Souls of the Faithful Departed this day. They are the Church Suffering and are in great need of our prayers. November is traditionally dedicated to the Poor Souls in Purgatory.

From the Golden Legend...

Like as Saint Gregory recounteth, in the fourth book of his Dialogues, that one of his monks named Justus when he came to his last end, he showed that he had hid three pieces of gold, and thereof sorrowed sore, and anon after he died. And then Saint Gregory commanded his brethren that they should bury his body in a dunghill, and the three pieces of gold with him, saying: Thy money be to thee in perdition. Nevertheless, Saint Gregory commanded one of his brethren to say for him every day mass, thirty days long, and so he did. And when he had accomplished his term, the monk that was dead appeared on the thirtieth day to one which demanded how it was with him, and he answered to him: I have been evil at ease unto this day, but now I am well. I have this day received communion, and the sacrifice of the altar profiteth not only to them that be dead, but also to them that be living in this world.

Prayer of St. Gertrude the Great...

Eternal Father,
I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus,
in union with the Masses said throughout the world today,
for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory,
for sinners everywhere,
for sinners in the Universal Church,
those in my own home and within my family.
Amen.

All Souls' Mass Start Time Change

It is hoped this update reaches you in time.

The All Souls' Day High Requiem Mass at St. Stephen's, scheduled for 6:30pm, will now begin at 6:20pm due to a slight scheduling conflict. Please pass the notice on. Thank you.

Solemnity of All Saints

A glorious and blessed feast of All Saints to you and your loved ones. We just wanted to share this beautiful excerpt from the wonderful work of Dom Gueranger, The Liturgical Year.

They that have gone before us wept as they turned the furrows and cast in the seed; but now their triumphant joy overflows upon us as an anticipated glory in this valley of tears. Without waiting for the dawn of eternity, the present solemnity gives us to enter by hope into the land of light, whither our fathers have followed Jesus, the divine forerunner. Do not the thorns of suffering lose their sharpness at the sight of the eternal joys into which they are to blossom? Does not the happiness of the dear departed cause a heavenly sweetness to mingle with our sorrow? Let us hearken to the chants of deliverance sung by those for whom we weep; 'little and great,' this is the feast of them all, as it will one day be ours. At this season, when cold and darkness prevail, Nature herself, stripping off her last adornments, seems to be preparing the world for the passage of the human race into the heavenly country. Let us, then, sing with the psalmist: I rejoiced at the things that were said to me: We shall go into the house of the Lord. Our feet as yet stand only in thy outer courts; but we see thy building ever going on, 0 Jerusalem, city of peace, compacted together in concord and love. To thee do the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, praising the name of the Lord; thy vacant seats are being filled up. May all good things be for them that love thee, 0 Jerusalem; may peace be in thy strength, and abundance in thy towers. For the sake of my brethren and of my neighbours, who are already thy inhabitants, I take pleasure in thee because of the Lord our God, whose dwelling thou art. I have placed in thee all my desire.

P.S.  Don't forget. Today is a holy day of obligation. Check Upcoming Events for Latin Mass times.

Latin Masses, All Saints and All Souls

The schedule of Latin Masses for All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day is as follows. We are reminded that the Solemnity of All Saints is an holy day of obligation.

All Saints' Day

Thursday, Nov 1

7am Low Mass, Immaculate Conception, Cleveland
6:30pm High Mass, St. Stephen & Immaculate Conception

All Souls' Day

 

Friday, Nov 2
7am Low Mass, Immaculate Conception, Cleveland
6:30pm High Requiem Mass, St. Stephen & Immaculate Conception

In Remembrance of 9/11

Immaculate Conception, Cleveland, will offer a Solemn High Requiem Mass on Tuesday at 6:30pm in remembrance of the victims of the 9/11 tragedy. And, should you not be able to make it to the evening Mass, there is the regular Tuesday morning 7am low Mass at St. Stephen.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.

Solemn Mass, Sept. 14

For the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, St. Stephen will offer Solemn Mass at 6:30pm. Please take the opportunity to celebrate this wonderful feast.

We found this on Fr. Z's blog.

The aromatic herb, basil (Ocimum basilicum) has long been associated with the Holy Cross.

Etymologically, it is related to basileios, the Greek word for king.

According to a pious legend, the Empress Saint Helena found the location of the True Cross by digging for it under a colony of basil. Basil plants were reputed to have sprung up at the foot of the Cross where fell the Precious Blood of Christ and the tears of the Mother of Sorrows.

A sprig of basil was said to have been found growing from the wood of the True Cross.
On the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross it is customary in the East to rest the Holy Cross on a bed of basil before presenting it to the veneration of the faithful.

Also, from the practice in some areas of strewing branches of basil before church communion rails, it came to be known as Holy Communion Plant Blessed basil leaf can be arranged in a bouquet at the foot of the crucifix; the dried leaves can also be used by the faithful as a sacramental.

V. Our help is in the name of the Lord.
R. Who made heaven and earth.

Let us pray.

Almighty and merciful God,
deign, we beseech You, to bless
Your creature, this aromatic basil leaf. +
Even as it delights our senses,
may it recall for us the triumph of Christ, our Crucified King
and the power of His Precious Blood
to purify and preserve us from evil
so that, planted beneath His Cross,
we may flourish to Your glory
and spread abroad the fragrance of His sacrifice.
Who is Lord forever and ever.

R. Amen.

The bouquets of basil leaf are sprinkled with Holy Water.

Assumption Mass Schedule

The Latin Mass schedule for the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, August 15, a holy day of obligation, is as follows.

7am Low Mass @ Immaculate Conception, Cleveland

6:30pm Low Mass @ St. Stephen

6:30pm Solemn Mass @ Immaculate Conception, Cleveland

Prayer composed by Pope St. Pius X

O immaculate virgin, mother of God and mother of humanity, we believe with all the fervour of our faith in your triumphal assumption both in body and in soul into heaven where you are acclaimed as queen by all the choirs of angels and all the legions of saints; we unite with them to praise and bless the Lord who has exalted you above all other pure creatures and to offer you the tribute of our devotion and our love.

We know that your gaze, which on earth watched over the humble and suffering humanity of Jesus, in heaven is filled with the vision of that humanity glorified and with the vision of uncreated wisdom, and that the joy of your soul in the direct contemplation of the adorable trinity causes your heart to throb with overwhelming tenderness; and we, poor sinners whose body weights down the flight of the soul, beg you to purify our hearts so that, while we remain below, we may learn to see God and God alone in the beauties of his creatures.

We trust that your merciful eyes may deign to gaze down upon our miseries and anguish, upon our struggles and our weaknesses; that your countenance may smile upon our joys and our victories; that you may hear the voice of Jesus saying to you of each one of us, as he once said to you of his beloved disciple:

"Behold your son," and we who call upon you as our mother, we, like John, take you as the guide, strength and consolation of our mortal life.

We are inspired by the certainty that your eyes, which wept over the earth crimsoned by the blood of Jesus, are yet turned toward this world racked by wars and persecutions, the oppression of the just and the weak. From the shadows of this vale of tears, we seek in your heavenly assistance, tender mercy, comfort for our aching hearts, and help in the trials of Church and country.

We believe finally that in the glory where you reign, clothed with the sun and crowned with stars, you are, after Jesus, the joy and gladness of all the angels and the saints, and from this earth, over which we tread as pilgrims, comforted by our faith in the future resurrection, we look to you our life, our sweetness, our hope; draw us onward with the sweetness of your voice, so that one day, after our exile, you may show us Jesus, the blessed fruit of your womb.

O clement, O loving,
O sweet Virgin Mary.

Amen.

Latin Masses at Sacred Heart

We just wanted to pass along the following note concerning upcoming Latin Masses at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in South Euclid, Ohio.

Solemn High Mass in Honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Friday, August 3 at 12:10 pm 

First Saturday, August 4 at 8am. Low Mass followed by devotions 

Solemn High Mass on Sunday, August 26 at 11:30. This will be followed by a reception honoring Abbé Matthew Weaver, one of our seminarians, who received the cassock and tonsure. Abbé Weaver is studying for the priesthood for the Institute of Christ the King, Sovereign Priest

In Defense of the Church

In light of the USCCB's "Fortnight for Freedom", St. Stephen's First Friday Latin Mass at 6:30pm will be offered for the Defense of the Church. The Mass will be of the Sacred Heart, with a commemoration of the prayers (collect, secret and post-communion) from the Votive Mass for the Defense of the Church. As is normal for First Friday, benediction will follow Mass. Please join us as we pray for the liberation and exaltation of Holy Mother Church.



Third Inter-Parish Picnic, July 28

Please see below for information regarding the Third Inter-Parish Picnic.

(Try opening the picture (right-click) into a new window, then you'll be able to zoom in and see the content)

Solemn Mass, Sunday, Sacred Heart

In honor of the Sacred Heart, Solemn High Mass will be offered at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in South Euclid, Ohio, on Sunday, June 17 at 5pm.

Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish
1545 South Green Road
South Euclid, Ohio 44121

Solemnity of the Sacred Heart

A blessed feast day to you all.

Immaculate Conception Cleveland will offer low Mass for the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart at 6:30pm on Friday, June 15.

A plenary indulgence can be gained by praying the Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart, Iesu dulcissime.

Act of Reparation

Most sweet Jesus, whose overflowing charity for men is requited by so much forgetfulness, negligence and contempt, behold us prostrate before you, eager to repair by a special act of homage the cruel indifference and injuries to which your loving Heart is everywhere subject.

Mindful, alas! that we ourselves have had a share in such great indignities, which we now deplore from the depths of our hearts, we humbly ask your pardon and declare our readiness to atone by voluntary expiation, not only for our own personal offenses, but also for the sins of those, who, straying far from the path of salvation, refuse in their obstinate infidelity to follow you, their Shepherd and Leader, or, renouncing the promises of their baptism, have cast off the sweet yoke of your law.

We are now resolved to expiate each and every deplorable outrage committed against you; we are now determined to make amends for the manifold offenses against Christian modesty in unbecoming dress and behavior, for all the foul seductions laid to ensnare the feet of the innocent, for the frequent violations of Sundays and holy-days, and the shocking blasphemies uttered against you and your Saints. We wish also to make amends for the insults to which your Vicar on earth and your priests are subjected, for the profanation, by conscious neglect or terrible acts of sacrilege, of the very Sacrament of your divine love, and lastly for the public crimes of nations who resist the rights and teaching authority of the Church which you have founded.

Would that we were able to wash away such abominations with our blood. We now offer, in reparation for these violations of your divine honor, the satisfaction you once made to your Eternal Father on the cross and which you continue to renew daily on our altars; we offer it in union with the acts of atonement of your Virgin Mother and all the Saints and of the pious faithful on earth; and we sincerely promise to make recompense, as far as we can with the help of your grace, for all neglect of your great love and for the sins we and others have committed in the past. Henceforth, we will live a life of unswerving faith, of purity of conduct, of perfect observance of the precepts of the Gospel and especially that of charity. We promise to the best of our power to prevent others from offending you and to bring as many as possible to follow you.

O loving Jesus, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mother, our model in reparation, deign to receive the voluntary offering we make of this act of expiation; and by the crowning gift of perseverance keep us faithful unto death in our duty and the allegiance we owe to you, so that we may all one day come to that happy home, where with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, God, forever and ever. Amen.

Iesu, mitis et humilis Corde, fac cor nostrum secundum Cor tuum.

Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make our hearts like unto Thine.

Another pious tradition practiced by Catholics is the Enthronement of Sacred Heart of Jesus. This ceremony takes place in the home, preferably presided over by a priest, and is meant to establish the Social Reign of Jesus Christ in society by way of the family.

And we cannot forget the promises from Our Lord to St. Margaret Mary which are granted to those who practice devotion to His Sacred Heart.

For Persons living in the World. "They will find by means of this devotion all the helps necessary for their state, such as peace in their families, refreshment in their labors, the blessing of heaven in all their undertakings, consolation in their troubles, and it is truly in this Heart, that they will find their refuge during life and above all at the hour of death. He promised He would reunite families that are separated."
For Homes where the picture of the Sacred Heart shall be Exposed and Honored. "Since He is the source of all blessings, He shall shower them in abundance on every place where a picture of His Divine Heart shall be set up and honored."
Promise of Salvation for All Who Have Been Devoted and Consecrated to It. "He then confirmed His assurance that the pleasure He takes in being loved, known and honored by His creatures is so great . . . that all who will be devoted and consecrated to It shall never perish."
For Those Who work For the Salvation of Souls. "My divine Savior has given me to understand that those who work for the salvation of souls will have a gift of touching the most hardened hearts, and will labor with marvelous success, if they themselves are penetrated with a tender devotion to His Divine Heart."
Promise of a Happy Death for those Who Communicate on the First Friday of Nine Consecutive Months. One Friday during Holy Communion, He said these words to His unworthy slave if she is not mistaken, "I promise thee in the excessive Mercy of My Divine Heart, that It's all-powerful will grant the grace of final repentance to all who communicate on the First Friday of nine consecutive months, that they shall not die under Its displeasure nor without receiving the sacraments, for My Divine Heart will become their secure refuge at that last moment."
Promise of the Reign of the Sacred Heart. "Yes, this Divine Heart will reign in spite of those who would oppose it; Satan will be put to confusion with all his followers."
For Those Who Promote Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. "Those who propagate this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart never to be blotted out." .
For Communities. "He has promised me . . . that He will spread the sweet unction of His burning charity over all those communities who honor It and place themselves under its special protection, that He will turn away from them all the strokes of divine justice, in order to restore them to grace when they have fallen from it."

Corpus Christi

The Thursday after Trinity Sunday is traditionally the day observed for the great feast of Corpus Christi. In continuing that tradition, St. Stephen's will offer High Mass on Thursday, June 7, at 6:30pm. A Eucharistic Procession inside the church will be part of the celebration.

Pope Urban IV, in 1264, instituted this feast in the Calendar. We can cite pious tradition for two inspiring events which lead to the declaration of the feast.

In 1263, a German priest, Peter of Prague, offered Holy Mass in the Church of St. Christina while on pilgrimage to Rome. Although a good and holy priest, Peter of Prague held doubts concerning Christ's Real Presence in the Blessed Eucharist. During that Mass in St. Christina's, the Host which he consecrated began to bleed. Immediately, he hurried to Pope Urban IV carrying the Blessed Sacrament, and the Pontiff declared the miracle. The Corporal on which the Host bled is still on display in the Cathedral of Orvieto.

St. Juliana of Mont Cornillon, an Augustinian nun (1193 - 1258) had a vision in which the Moon, full and beautiful, was marred by a single black spot, signifying the lack of a joyful feast day of the Eucharist at that time.

Ascension Thursday

It is hoped that this update finds you in time for the celebration of the Feast of the Ascension.

High Masses for Ascension will be celebrated at St. Stephen and Immaculate Conception Cleveland. Both Masses are at 6:30pm.

The excerpt below is from The Golden Legend.

...he ascended from the mount of Olives by Bethany; the which mountain, by another relation, is said the mountain of three lights. For by night on the side of the west it is lighted of the fire that burneth in the Temple, which never is put out ne quenched. On the morning it is light of the orient, for she hath first the rays of the sun before it shineth in the city, and also it hath great abundance of oil that nourisheth the light, and therefore it is said the hill of three lights. Unto this hill Jesu Christ commanded his disciples that they should go. For on the day of his Ascension he appeared two times, one time to eleven disciples that ate in the hall where they had supped with him. All the apostles and the disciples and also the women, abode in that part of Jerusalem which is called Mello, in the mountain of Sion, where David had made his palace. And there was the great hall arrayed and ordained for to sup, whereas Jesu Christ commanded that they should make ready for to eat the Paschal Lamb, and in this place the eleven apostles abode, and the other disciples, and the women abode in divers mansions there about. And when they had eaten in this hall, our Lord appeared to them and reproved them of their incredulity. And when he had eaten with them, and had commanded them that they should go to the Mount of Olivet on the side by Bethany, he appeared again to them, and answered to them of the demands that they made to him indiscreetly, and with his hands lifted he blessed them; and anon before them he ascended unto heaven. Of the place of this ascension saith Sulpicius, Bishop of Jerusalem, and it is in the gloss. For there was edified a church in the place where were made the signs of his ascension. Never sith might be set there any pavement, it could not be laid ne set but anon it issued out, and the stones of the marble sprang into the visages of them that set it. And that is a sign that they be stones on which Christ passed upon, which lie in the powder and dust, and abide for a token and sign certain.

The church mentioned in the above excerpt is known as the Chapel of the Ascension, built c.390. Muslims seized control of it in 1198 and added the dome.

The signs of His Ascension, as mentioned in The Golden Legend, are Christ's footprints in stone.

You can find The Golden Legend in its entirety here.

Thursday Evening Mass in Rectory Chapel

The normal Thursday evening Low Mass at St. Stephen will be in the rectory on 5/10 due to a scheduling conflict. Mass time will still be 6:30pm.

New Resource for the Latin Mass

Usus Antiquior is making the propers for Sundays and Feast Days available online for print. The PDF's can be customized to include your parish's or institution's name. This is a great resource for those without a Missal. Please take advantage of this for you or a friend. 

Mercy Sunday

Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish in Cleveland, Ohio, will offer a Low Mass on the Sunday after Easter, April 15, 2012, now known as Divine Mercy Sunday, but known in the Tridentine calendar as Low Sunday.

Mass will be at 2pm, with confessions available at 1pm. Following the Mass, the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed for adoration, the Divine Mercy Chaplet will be recited and then Benediction. Afterwards, you may have sacramentals blessed.

From Catholic Culture.

In a decree dated August 3, 2002, the Apostolic Penitentiary announced that in order "to ensure that the faithful would observe this day (Divine Mercy Sunday) with intense devotion, the Supreme Pontiff himself established that this Sunday be enriched by a plenary indulgence…so that the faithful might receive in great abundance the gift of the consolation of the Holy Spirit. In this way, they can foster a growing love for God and for their neighbor, and after they have obtained God's pardon, they in turn might be persuaded to show a prompt pardon to their brothers and sisters."

The plenary indulgence is granted under the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer for the intentions of Supreme Pontiff) to the faithful who, on the Second Sunday of Easter or Divine Mercy Sunday, in any church or chapel, in a spirit that is completely detached from the affection for a sin, even a venial sin, take part in the prayers and devotions held in honor of Divine Mercy, or who, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament exposed or reserved in the tabernacle, recite the Our Father and the Creed, adding a devout prayer to the merciful Lord Jesus (e.g. Merciful Jesus, I trust in you!).

Holy Week Schedule

Below is the schedule for Holy Week liturgies.

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE
Spy Wednesday
Office of Tenebrae
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church
6928 Detroit Ave, Cleveland
April 4, 2012
7pm

Maundy Thursday
High Mass
Immaculate Conception - Cleveland
April 5, 2012
8pm

Good Friday
Commemoration of the Passion
Immaculate Conception - Cleveland
April 6, 2012
6pm

Holy Saturday, Easter Vigil
High Mass
Immaculate Conception - Cleveland
April 7, 2012
11:30pm

Office of Tenebrae

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Cleveland, will host the Office of Tenebrae on Wednesday, April 4, at 7pm.

Courtesy of Dom Gueranger....

THE OFFICE OF TENEBRAE.

On this and the two following days, the Church anticipates the Night-Office; she celebrates it on the previous evening of each day, and this in order that the Faithful may be present at it. The Matins and Lauds of Maundy Thursday are, therefore, said this afternoon. The Faithful should make every effort to assist at this solemn Office, seeing it is on their account that the Church has changed her usual hours. As to the merit there is in joining in it, there can be no doubt, but that it is to be preferred to any private devotions. The surest means for obtaining favors from God, and winning him to our requests, is to approach him through the Church. And as regards the feelings of devotion wherewith we ought to celebrate the mysteries of these three great Days, the Offices of the Church are, ordinarily speaking, a surer and richer source than the Exercises of Piety composed by men. The soul that feeds on the words and ceremonies of the holy Liturgy, will be all the more disposed to profit by the private devotions she practices at home. The prayer of the Church will thus become the basis, whereon is built the edifice of Christian piety during these glorious Anniversaries of our Redemption; and we shall be imitating our forefathers who lived in the Ages of Faith, and who were such admirable Christians, because they lived the life of the Church, by means of the sacred Liturgy.

Fish Eaters also has an excellent article on Spy Wednesday.

The Hiatus is Over

The long anticipated return to the beautiful and spiritually edifying house of God, St. Stephen Church, is upon us. Lent is not over, but Our Lord has graced us with the reopening of St. Stephen's for Palm Sunday, April 1. The work of painting the walls and ceiling is nearly finished. The nave is completed, and at a later date the sanctuary will be; the church will remain open even during that, according to the information given by Fr. Franz, pastor of St. Stephen. The painters have done a fine job. Deo gratias!

 An old photo of the Nave

Nota Bene:  The schedule for Holy Week is posted in Upcoming Events.

New Years Resolution Idea

A suggestion from a reader of the blog.

If you haven't made any New Year's resolutions yet, or if you'd like to make more, consider taking up the devotion of First Fridays and First Saturdays. 

First Friday
http://catholicinformation.aquinasandmore.com/2008/11/07/first-friday-devotion-in-the-catholic-church/

First Saturday
http://www.rosary-center.org/firstsat.htm

High Mass, Candlemas Day: CANCELLED

Apologies for not having updated the blog for a couple weeks.

As some of you already know, due to the painting of the ceiling in St. Stephen's Church, all Masses have been moved either to the rectory chapel or school gymnasium. Sunday Masses are in the gym; weekday Masses in the rectory.

You may have noticed in the "Upcoming Events" section on the sidebar that St. Stephen's was going to offer high Mass for Candlemas Day, Thursday, February 2. This has been cancelled due to scheduling conflicts. Therefore, the regular Thursday evening low Mass will be celebrated in the rectory chapel.

Epiphany, St. Stephen Church

Friday, January 6, is the Feast of Epiphany. In place of St. Stephen's regular First Friday low Mass, high Mass will be offered at the same time, 6:30pm, followed by Benediction.

Traditionally, on the Feast of the Epiphany, the priest, wearing white vestments, would bless the Epiphany water, frankincense, gold, and chalk. Chalk is used to write the initials of the three magi over the doors of churches and homes. The letters stand for the initials of the Magi (traditionally named Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar), and also the phrase Christus mansionem benedicat, which translates as "may Christ bless the house". According to ancient custom, the priest would announce the date of Easter on the feast of Epiphany. This tradition dated from a time when calendars were not readily available, and the church needed to publicize the date of Easter, since many celebrations of the liturgical year depend on it.