Catechesis on Septuagesima Sunday

Today is called Septuagesima Sunday.  Septuagesima Sunday is the third Sunday before the start of Lent, which makes it the ninth Sunday before Easter. Traditionally, Septuagesima Sunday marked the beginning of preparations for Lent. No one is quite sure why Septuagesima Sunday bears that name. Literally, Septuagesima means “seventieth” in Latin, but contrary to common error, it is not 70 days before Easter, but only 63. The most likely explanation is that Septuagesima Sunday and Sexagesima Sunday simply derived their names from Quinqagesima Sunday, which is 49 days before Easter, or 50 if you include Easter. (Quinqagesima means “fiftieth”).  The 17-day period beginning on Septuagesima Sunday was intended to be observed as a preparation for the season of Lent, which is itself a period of spiritual preparation (for Easter).   In an old devotional book, published by the Confraternity of the Precious Blood, the following beautiful meditation is provided.

The Way of the Cross leads to Calvary; the seasons of Septuagesima and Lent lead to Good Friday.  Our ways of penance leads to crucifixion of sin and sacrifice of self.  But the darkness of Good Friday eventuates in the glorious light of Easter; crucifixion paves the way for resurrection.  Our oblation of self-life will bring us the new Christ-life.  The Mystical Body of Christ now prepares to walk the Way of the Cross, ascend the Mount of Calvary, share in sacrificial suffering. 

We prepare our oblation of self in union with the self-oblation of Our Lord, Who is our strength and our Deliverer.  We will share the “prize” won by Him if we “so run as to obtain it”.  Our participation in the Sacred Liturgy, which makes effective all that it portrays, will powerfully assist us to live the Christian life and perform the work of Christ.  We Catholics are God’s laborers, doing for souls the work which He gives us. 

Saint Paul calls us “slaves of Christ”. As in the material life some servants work harder and longer than others, so in the spiritual life the labor of one “slave” will be more arduous than that of another, but the generosity of God rewards each servant justly.  The reward is eternal, heavenly life, a foretaste of which is received in the heavenly, life-imparting Gift of the Holy Eucharist.  The liturgy is Christ active in the work of prayer; our offering of the Liturgy is made effective by the intercessory power of Jesus Christ, working in and through us, His mystical members. (“My Daily Prayer”, Confraternity of the Precious Blood, 1955).

Catechesis on Saint Blaise, Bishop and Martyr, by Rev. Ronald W. Check

Monday was the Feast of St. Blaise, about whom we know very little.   We have only this very brief entry in the Martyrologium Romanum: Sancti Blasii, episcopi et martyris, qui pro christiano nomine Sabaste in Armenia passus est sub Licino imperatore. … [Feast of] St. Blaise, bishop and martyr, who suffered for the name of Christ in Sabaste in Armenia under the Emperor Licinus.

That "pro Christiano nomine" probably needs to be rendered as "for the name of Christ" along the lines of rendering dies dominica or oratio dominica as, respectively, "the Lord’s Day = Sunday" or "the Lord’s Prayer".  It is entirely possible, of course, just to keep it literal and say, "for the Christian name", which would be pretty much the same thing in the balance. 

Either way, he was killed because as a Christian Blaise professed belief in Christ.

COLLECT:
Exaudi, Domine, populum tuum,
cvm beati Blasii martyris patrocinio supplicantem,
ut et temporalis vitae nos tribuas pace gaudere,
et aeternae reperire subsidium.

LITERAL TRANSLATION:
O Lord, graciously hear Your people
begging by means of the patronage of blessed martyr Blaise,
that you grant us to delight in the peace of temporal life
and obtain the protection of eternal life.

We can take away from this prayer the serious message that life is often dangerous.  The word subsidium means “support, assistance, aid, help, protection” and often in liturgical Latin “help”.  Either way, subsidium sets up a stark contrast between the life we have now and the life to come.  Even the phrase about enjoying the peace of this life, indicates subtly how precarious everything is in this earthly existence which Catholics are accustomed to call a “vale of tears”.

Through the intercession of St. Blaise, bishop and martyr,
may God free you from illness of the throat and from any other sort of ill.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Ghost.  Amen.

Catechesis on Candlemas, by Rev. Ronald W. Check

What is Candlemas?

Today is a day of purification, renewal, and hope. On this day, exactly 40 days after Christmas, we commemorate Mary's obedience to the Mosaic law by submitting herself to the Temple for the ritual purification, as commanded in Leviticus.  Saint Luke tells us (St. Luke 2:22-24) “And after the days of her purification, according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they carried him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord: As it is written in the law of the Lord: Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord: And to offer a sacrifice, according as it is written in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”  Mary, of course, didn't need this purification -- which Catholic women imitate, in a sense, with the rite of the “Churching of Women” -- but she submitted out of obedience to the Law. Also, as the Lukan verses revealed, Our Lady and St. Joseph presented Jesus to the Temple for His "redemption," also per the Law.  Also commemorated on this “Feast of Light” (“Lichtmess” in German) or “Feast of the Candles” (Candlemas in English)  is the prophecy of Holy Simeon -- the “just and devout” man of Jerusalem who was inspired by the Holy Ghost to know that he would live to see the “consolation of Jerusalem” -- and the encounter with the aged widow, Anna the Prophetess, who lived in the Temple and confessed Christ upon meeting Him. It was Simeon to whom Mary presented Jesus, and in his prophecy to her, he told Mary her heart would be pierced with a sword, a prophecy found in the second chapter of the Gospel according to (St. Luke 2:34-35) “And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold this child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted; And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed.”  On this day, there will be a Blessing of the Candles and Procession. The symbolism of the candles is described by Dom Prosper Guéranger, OSB, in his Liturgical Year: “The mystery of today's ceremony has frequently been explained by liturgists, dating from the 7th century. According to Ivo of Chartres, the wax, which is formed from the juice of flowers by the bee, always considered as the emblem of virginity, signifies the virginal flesh of the Divine Infant, who diminished not, either by His conception or His birth, the spotless purity of His Blessed Mother. The same holy bishop would have us see, in the flame of our Candle, a symbol of Jesus who came to enlighten our darkness. St. Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury, speaking on the same mystery, bids us consider three things in the blessed Candle: the wax, the wick, and the flame. The wax, he says, which is the production of the virginal bee, is the Flesh of our Lord; the wick, which is within, is His Soul; the flame, which burns on top, is His divinity.”

From the Rev. Ronald Check: Catechesis on Reception of Holy Communion

Question: Can a person receive Holy Communion twice in one day?

Answer: One of the significant changes for the faithful in the Code of Canon Law which was promulgated in 1983 was the permission to receive Holy Communion more than once per day. In the past the law set certain conditions, such as participation in a funeral, marriage or ordination Mass. The new canon, however, simply states,

c.917 “A person who has received the Most Holy Eucharist may receive it again (iterum) on the same day only during the celebration of the Eucharist in which the person participates, with due regard for the prescription of can. 921, part 2.”

What it is saying is that if one attends a Mass after receiving Holy Communion previously that day, one may receive it again. If it is not a Mass, but a Communion Service for example, one may not receive again.

However, since the Church encourages the full participation of the laity in the Masses they attend, including Holy Communion (if they are worthy), the question arose whether this canon might not permit Holy Communion in any Mass, regardless of the number of times one attended per day. After numerous bishops asked this question of the Holy See, the Pontifical Commission for the Authentic Interpretation of Legislative texts gave the following authentic interpretation, approved by Pope John Paul II:

Doubt: Whether, according to Canon 917, one who has already received the Most Holy Eucharist may receive it again on the same day only a second time, or as often as one participates in the celebration of the Eucharist.

Response: Affirmative to the first; negative to the second. [AAS76, (1984) 746] 9

In the accompanying commentary it was explained that the meaning of again (iterum) was to allow a second time, but not a third, fourth etc... The exception to this is the one given in the law itself, Canon 921, 2. “Even if they have received Communion in the same day, those who are in danger of death are strongly urged to receive again.”

Thus, Communion given as Viaticum may be received at any time.

One final note, this law applies to Latin Rite Catholics. In the Eastern Catholic Churches the practice of frequent daily Divine Liturgy (Mass) is not found, and so the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches is silent on this matter.

Answered by Colin B. Donovan, STL

From the Rev. Ronald Check: Catechesis on Purgatory

“How do you know that Masses will take souls out of Purgatory?”

The Council of Trent, which quotes the teaching of the early Church Fathers and all of the ancient liturgies, both Eastern and Western, says that “the Mass is a propitiatory sacrifice for the living and the dead, and that the souls in Purgatory are helped by the suffrages of the faithful, but chiefly by the acceptable Sacrifice of the Altar.” (cf. Sess. XXV; Sess. VI, Can. 30; Sess. XII, Ch. 2, Can. 3)  Tertullian writes in the beginning of the third century: “We make on one day every year oblations for the dead, as for their birthdays.”   In another place, he writes: “The faithful widow prays for the soul of her husband, and begs for him in the interim refreshment, and in the first resurrection companionship, and offers on the anniversary day of his death.” Saint Augustine writes, quoting his Mother Saint Monica, “Lay this body anywhere; let not the care of it in any way disturb you; this only I ask of you, that you should remember me at the altar of the Lord, wherever you may be.”  The current Catechism of the Catholic Church says, that Purgatory is “a state of final purification after death and before entrance into heaven for those who died in God’s friendship, but were only imperfectly purified; a final cleansing of human imperfection before one is able to enter the joy of heaven.”  Even the Eastern Churches, while note calling it “Purgatory” admit of the need for and the possibility of a state of progressive purification that takes place after death in order to prepare the soul to enter into the presence of God.  The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the greatest act of glory to God, the greatest merits for our redemption and salvation were obtained on Calvary, no greater means exists.  Our Lord has performed the greatest act of Love and the Mercy that he obtained for us on Calvary is dispensed to us through the Holy Mass.   Let us pray to God not only for ourselves, that we may share in these graces, but that these graces may be applied to souls of all the faithful departed for their purification.  May the Holy mass inspire within all of us a greater love of God and hence also a deeper friendship.

From the Rev. Ronald Check: Catechesis on the Family

“Marriage is the nursery of Christianity, which supplies the earth with faithful souls to fill up the number of the elect in heaven.” --Saint Francis DeSales

Marriage is an original gift from God to humanity. Although sin entered the world damaging the marital relationship, this gift was not lost but redeemed by Christ and raised to a sacrament (see Eph. 5:28-32; see also Matt. 19:4-6). Sacred Scripture proclaims that God created humanity in “His image”as “male and female” (see Gen. 1:27). So unique is this relationship that the marital union makes of the husband and wife “one flesh” (Gen. 2:24). Procreation, Scripture teaches, is a gift from God (Gen. 1:28). When spouses conceive new life, they participate in the Lord God’s creative power. This is an awesome privilege and sacred responsibility!

Prayer In Defense Of Marriage

God our Father, we give you thanks for the gift of marriage: the bond of life and love, and the font of the family. The love of husband and wife enriches your Church with children, fills the world with a multitude of spiritual fruitfulness and service, and is the sign of the love of your Son, Jesus Christ, for his Church. The grace of Jesus flowed forth at Cana at the request of the Blessed Mother. May your Son, through the intercession of Mary, pour out upon us a new measure of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit as we join with all people of good will to promote and protect the unique beauty of marriage.

May your Holy Spirit enlighten our society to treasure the heroic love of husband and wife, and guide our leaders to sustain and protect the singular place of mothers and fathers in the lives of their children. Father, we ask that our prayers be joined to those of the Virgin Mary, that your Word may transform our service so as to safeguard the incomparable splendor of marriage.

We ask all these things through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Saints Joachim and Anne, pray for us.

From the Rev. Ronald Check: Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus

V. Lord, have mercy on us.

     R. Christ, have mercy on us.

V. Lord, have mercy on us. Jesus, hear us.

     R. Jesus, graciously hear us.

V. God the Father of Heaven

     R. Have mercy on us.

V. God the Son, Redeemer of the world,

     R. Have mercy on us.

V. God the Holy Spirit,

     R. Have mercy on us.

V. Holy Trinity, one God,

     R. Have mercy on us.

V. Jesus, Son of the living God, 

     R. Have mercy on us.

V. Jesus, splendor of the Father,

     R. Have mercy on us.

V. Jesus, brightness of eternal light,

     R. [etc.]

V. Jesus, King of glory.

V. Jesus, sun of justice.

V. Jesus, Son of the Virgin Mary.

V. Jesus, most amiable.

V. Jesus, most admirable.

V. Jesus, the mighty God.

V. Jesus, Father of the world to come.

V. Jesus, angel of great counsel.

V. Jesus, most powerful.

V. Jesus, most patient.

V. Jesus, most obedient.

V. Jesus, meek and humble of heart.

V. Jesus, lover of chastity.

V. Jesus, lover of us.

V. Jesus, God of peace.

V. Jesus, author of life.

V. Jesus, example of virtues.

V. Jesus, zealous lover of souls.

V. Jesus, our God.

V. Jesus, our refuge.

V. Jesus, father of the poor.

V. Jesus, treasure of the faithful.

V. Jesus, good Shepherd.

V. Jesus, true light.

V. Jesus, eternal wisdom.

V. Jesus, infinite goodness.

V. Jesus, our way and our life.

V. Jesus, joy of Angels.

V. Jesus, King of the Patriarchs.

V. Jesus, Master of the Apostles.

V. Jesus, teacher of the Evangelists.

V. Jesus, strength of Martyrs.

V. Jesus, light of Confessors.

V. Jesus, purity of Virgins.

V. Jesus, crown of Saints. 

V. Be merciful.

     R. Spare us, O Jesus.

V. Be merciful.

     R. Graciously hear us, O Jesus.

V. From all evil

     R. deliver us, O Jesus.

V. From all sin, 

     R. deliver us, O Jesus.

V. From Your wrath, 

     R. [etc.]

V. From the snares of the devil.

V. From the spirit of fornication.

V. From everlasting death.

V. From the neglect of Your inspirations.

V. By the mystery of Your holy Incarnation.

V. By Your Nativity.

V. By Your Infancy.

V. By Your most divine Life.

V. By Your labors.

V. By Your agony and passion.

V. By Your cross and dereliction.

V. By Your sufferings.

V. By Your death and burial.

V. By Your Resurrection.

V. By Your Ascension.

V. By Your institution of the most Holy Eucharist.

V. By Your joys.

V. By Your glory. 

V. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,

     R. spare us, O Jesus.

V. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,

     R. graciously hear us, O Jesus.

V. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,

     R. have mercy on us, O Jesus.

V. Jesus, hear us.

     R. Jesus, graciously hear us.

Let us pray. O Lord Jesus Christ, You have said, “Ask and you shall receive, seek, and you shall find, knock, and it shall be opened to you.” Grant, we beg of You, to us who ask it, the gift of Your most divine love, that we may ever love You with our whole heart, in word and deed, and never cease praising You. Give us, O Lord, as much a lasting fear as a lasting love of Your Holy Name, for You, who live and are King for ever and ever, never fail to govern those whom You have solidly established in Your love. R. Amen.