I realized recently that in my several years here at Saint Maryʻs, Iʻd not done (to my recollection) a class on Baptism. So consider this a bit of #Baptism 101 for those interested (and join us live at 6:00 pm Hawaiʻi time, or whenever after).
#Christian #Episcopal #Anglican #Church #sacraments #theology #Bible #liturgy #salvation #gospel
Hab mich grad mal ein bisschen schick gemacht. Bling-Bling liegt ja jetzt wieder im liturgischen Trend. I just dressed up a little. Bling-bling is back in the liturgical trend. #Kirche #Church #katholisch #catholic #Papst #Pope #LeoXIV #Gottesdienst #Liturgy #Liturgie #Vatikan #Vatican
Back from vacation and pleased to say that I didn’t stumble, forget the sermon, or spill any wine.
Sermon topic: Abundance and partnership in Jesus’ charge to feed, tend, and feed.
#Episcopal #Liturgy #Sermons #SLECBuffalo
4 May: Blesseds Angel Maria Prat Hostench, Lucas of St. Joseph Tristany Pujol, Priests, and Companions (Not observed in 2025)
May 4
BLESSEDS ANGEL MARIA PRAT HOSTENCH,
LUCAS OF ST. JOSEPH TRISTANY PUJOL,
PRIESTS, AND COMPANIONS
Martyrs
Optional Memorial
In the houses in Spain: Memorial
Carmel desired to bring together in one single memorial its own martyrs who, in different locations in Spain, bore witness during the long and bloody Civil War (1936-1939). Mentioned in this memorial are Father Angel Maria Prat Hostench, O. Carm., killed with his community in Tarrega in 1936, and Father Lucas of St. Joseph O.C.D., killed with his fellow friars in Barcelona, also in 1936. In this memorial, we also remember the groups from Lérida, Tarragona, Toledo, Olot, Terrasa, etc. The entire group of bishops, diocesan priests, religious from various orders, and laity was beatified partly (498 martyrs) by Benedict XVI on October 28, 2007, and partly (522 martyrs) by Francis on October 13, 2013.
From the Common of Several Martyrs
OFFICE OF READINGS
The Second Reading
From a letter by Saint Cyprian, bishop and martyr
(Ep. 6, 1–2: CSEL 3, 480–482)
I greet you, dearest brothers, and would like also to enjoy your company face to face, if only the conditions in which I find myself did not prevent my coming to see you. What could be more desirable or more joyful for me than to embrace you now, to be encircled by those pure and sinless hands that have kept the faith of the Lord and refused to offer sacrilegious worship?
What could be more pleasant, more sublime, than to kiss at this moment those lips of yours, which have given such glorious utterance in praise of the Lord; to be seen also by those eyes of yours, which have despised the world and proved themselves worthy of seeing God?
But, because there is no opportunity for my sharing this joy, I send this letter as my representative for your ears and eyes to hear and see. Through it I congratulate you, and at the same time urge you to persevere courageously and steadfastly in your witness to heavenly glory, and to continue with spiritual courage, now that you have entered on the way that the Lord has graciously opened up for you, until you receive the crown of victory. You have the Lord as your protector and guide, for he has said: Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the world.
How blessed is the prison honored by your presence, how blessed the prison that sends men of god to heaven! Darkness brighter than the sun itself, more resplendent than this light of the world, for it is here that God’s temples are now established, and your limbs made holy by your praise of God.
Let nothing else be now in your hearts and minds except God’s commandments and the precepts of heaven: by their means the Holy Spirit has always inspired you to bear your sufferings. Let no one think of death, but only of immortality; let no one think of suffering that is for a time, but only of glory that is for eternity. It is written: Precious in the sight of God is the death of his holy ones. And again: A sacrifice to God is an afflicted spirit; a broken and humbled heart God does not despise.
Holy Scripture speaks also of the sufferings which consecrate God’s martyrs and sanctify them by the very testing of pain: Though in the eyes of men they suffered torments, their hope is full of immortality. They will judge nations, and rule over peoples, and the Lord will reign over them forever.
When, therefore, you recall that you will be judges and rulers with Christ the Lord, you must rejoice, despising present suffering for joy at what is to come. You know that from the beginning of the world it was so; justice is here oppressed in its conflict with the world, for at the very outset Abel the just is killed, and after him the just, and those sent as prophets and apostles.
The Lord himself is an example of all this in his own person. He teaches us that only those who have followed him along his way arrive at his kingdom: He who loves his life in this world, will lose it. And he who hates his life in this world, will save it for eternal life. And again he says: Do not fear those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul; fear rather him who can kill both body and soul and send them to hell.
Paul too admonishes us, that as we desire to gain the Lord’s promises we must imitate the Lord in all things. We are God’s children, he tells us. If children, we are also heirs of God, and coheirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified with him.
Responsory
R/. We are warriors now, fighting on the battlefield of faith, and God sees all we do; the angels watch and so does Christ. * What honor and glory and joy, to do battle in the presence of God, and to have Christ approve our victory (alleluia).
V/. Let us arm ourselves in full strength and prepare ourselves for the ultimate struggle with blameless hearts, true faith and unyielding courage. * What honor and glory and joy, to do battle in the presence of God, and to have Christ approve our victory (alleluia).
Prayer
Almighty God,
you gave your blessed Carmelite martyrs of Spain
the grace to confront death
so to confess your word and bear witness to Jesus;
grant us the power of the Holy Spirit
to remain steadfast in the faith
and strong in the confession of your name.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Catholic Church 1993, Proper of the Liturgy of the Hours of the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel and the Order of Discalced Carmelites (Rev. and augm.), Institutum Carmelitanum, Rome.
#BlessedAngelMariaPratHostench #BlessedLucasOfStJosephTristanyPujol #Carmelite #DiscalcedCarmelite #friars #Liturgy #martyrs #SpanishCivilWar
28 April: Blessed Maria Felicia of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament Guggeri Echeverría
WORKING TRANSLATION*
April 28
BLESSED MARIA FELICIA OF JESUS IN THE BLESSED SACRAMENT
Virgin
Optional Memorial
Blessed Maria Felicia of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament (Maria Felicia Guggiari Echeverría), commonly known as Chiquitunga, was born in Villarrica del Espiritu Santo, Paraguay on January 12, 1925. At the age of 16, she enthusiastically joined Catholic Action and took care of the elderly, the sick, and prisoners. This fruitful apostolic experience, supported by the daily Eucharist, resulted in her consecration to the Lord. She entered the Carmel of Asunción on February 2, 1955, characterized by a life of dedication, deep humility, and great generosity, enveloped in a healthy joy; the motto of her life was: “I OFFER EVERYTHING TO YOU, LORD”. She died at the age of 34, accepting her illness with serenity. She was beatified on June 23, 2018, by the delegate of Pope Francis, Cardinal Angelo Amato, S.D.B.
From the Common of Virgins
Office of Readings
Second Reading
From the writings of Blessed Maria Felicia of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament
(Positio, vol. II. Diarios Íntimos; pp. 323, 311, 308, 295, 54, 319, 294, 320, 335; Ltr. 47, p. 622; Ltr. 2b, p. 376)
Amidst all this, I feel that the apostolate, whether of prayer or of action, is my vocation
Amidst all this, I feel that the apostolate, whether of prayer or of action, is my vocation. My consecration to the Lord is done; nothing belongs to me anymore, nor do I belong to myself…. But why do I worry, Lord? If I have given myself to You and abandoned myself to You, what do I fear? My Jesus, my only Master, true Master of all my love, for whom I have given and surrendered and accepted ALL! I too would like one day to become a Saint. Give me strength for the struggle and above all give me much, much love, ardent love for You, Eucharistic Jesus, for the Ideal, for souls, make me a true apostle. In all the works I am doing, I try to put the seal of our Christian spirit, because I want everything to be saturated with Christ, and wherever I am, I can leave a ray of His light…. Not because it is me, You know that, Lord!
There, there I intend to be and to fulfill the Holy Father’s request: The presence of the Christian woman in today’s world, and to work until the day has twenty-five hours, until I fall surrendered with happiness for having had everything and having given everything, especially this affection, Lord, which, renewing my offering, I place it once again at your feet: I offer you everything, Lord! I saw myself more than once walking calmly… walking through homes, lavishing even just a smile as a spontaneous fruit of the grace pulsating in our souls, lighting up our bosom with Love, Divine Love. To be apostles, Lord, what a beautiful dream. I never imagined that I would be so happy, bringing comfort to those whose pain makes our life possible.
I want to embrace everything. May I always have a song and a smile on my lips, even if in my heart I bear the wounds of disappointment and misunderstanding, and even if everything around me collapses, may I sing your glories and say to you, “Thank you, Lord!” I am relatively calmer, almost indifferent, as if absent from all things. Above all, I want to increase my life of union with my God, deep intimacy, which I find quite difficult. How much I would really like to converse with Him, without worrying about times, moments, and places! I need it so much that I hope to be able to have those days to fill myself with my God and then be able to overflow his word, his example, his life in all souls!
I, on the other hand, have already decided on my vocation: I do not see my happiness outside of a total surrender, of abnegation and sacrifice, and of constant immolation of my life for the glory of God and the salvation of souls and the sanctification of priests!
On Wednesday, February 2, with a simple ceremony, God and the Virgin Mary willing, I will leave everything behind me, to embrace Him alone, the only one who can satisfy the unfathomable anxieties of the heart. My God, Most Holy Trinity, Jesus Crucified, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, I will ask only one thing of you, for the rest, the rest will truly come to me and you will give it to me in addition. What I ask for is Love to be able to love, and with it, I will lack nothing, I will have nothing to spare.
Responsory
R/. Whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. * Indeed I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord (alleluia).
V/. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as refuse, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him. * Indeed I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord (alleluia).
Prayer (Official)
O God,
who in the Virgin Blessed Maria Felicia of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament
gave us an excellent witness of love towards your Son
grant, that, following her example
we may live in the spirit of the beatitudes
and offer our lives for your glory and the salvation of the world.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.
*This working translation from the Spanish text is the blogger’s own work product, provided as a reference for our readers. This office is based on the official Spanish text, kindly provided by the Central American Province of the Discalced Carmelite Friars; the Discalced Carmelite General Curia provided the closing prayer. We await the complete official English translation approved by the Holy See.
#BlessedMariaFeliciaOfJesusInTheBlessedSacrament #Chiquitunga #Liturgy #optionalMemorial #virgin
Mich würde ja mal interessieren, welche Kirchenmusik genau beim Requiem heute bei Franziskus in Rom gesungen wurde. #churchMusic #liturgy
23 April: Blessed Teresa Mary of the Cross Manetti (Not observed in 2025)
April 23
BLESSED TERESA MARY OF THE CROSS MANETTI
Virgin
Optional Memorial
She was born at Campi Bisenzio, Florence, where in 1874 she founded the Congregation of Carmelite Sisters of St. Teresa, who she also sent to Lebanon and the Holy Land. She lived joyfully, body and soul, the mystery of the Cross in full conformity to the will of God and she was outstanding for her love for the Eucharist and her maternal care for children and for the poor. She died at Campi Bisenzio on April 23, 1910.
From the Common of Virgins or the Common of Holy Women (Religious)
Office of Readings
Second Reading
From the works of Saint Teresa of Avila
(Interior Castle VII, 4; 4, 5, 8. Way of Perfection 26, 7. Interior Castle II, 1; 11.)
Fix your gaze on the Crucified and everything becomes easy
His Majesty could not grant us a greater favor than to give us a life that would be an imitation of the life that His beloved Son lived. For this reason, I hold it certain that these favors are meant to fortify our weakness so that we may be able to imitate Him in his great sufferings.
Fix your eyes on the Crucified and everything will become easy for you. If His Majesty showed us His love by means of such works and frightful torments, how is it you want to please Him only with words?
Do you know what it means to be truly spiritual? It means becoming the slaves of God. Marked with His brand, which is that of the Cross, spiritual persons, because now they have given Him their liberty, can be sold by Him as slaves of everyone, as He was. In acting this way, He doesn’t do us any harm but rather He grants us a not insignificant grace.
We have always seen that those who were closest to Christ our Lord were those with the greatest trials. Let us look at what His glorious Mother suffered and the glorious apostles.
Take up the Cross of Jesus. Help your Spouse to carry the burden that weighs Him down and pay no attention to what they may say about you. If you should happen to stumble and fall like your Spouse, do not withdraw from the Cross or abandon it. No matter how great your trials may be, you will see that they are quite small in comparison to His.
If we never look at Him or reflect on what we owe Him and the death He suffered for us, I don’t know how we’ll be able to know Him or serve Him. And without these works in His service, what value will our faith have? And what value will our works have if they are separated from the inestimable merits of Jesus Christ, our Good? And then who will bring us to love this Lord?
Responsory
R/. I rejoice in the trials I bear and make up in my flesh that which is lacking in the sufferings of Christ * for the sake of His body which is the Church (alleluia).
V/. I have been crucified with Christ, and now no longer live but Christ lives in me: * for the sake of His body which is the Church (alleluia).
Prayer
O God,
you sustained the virgin,
Blessed Teresa Mary,
along the way of the cross
by a most ardent love of the Eucharist,
and you gave her a mother’s love
for your little ones and the poor.
Through her intercession, grant that,
strengthened by the bread of angels,
we may delight in sharing
the sufferings of Christ,
and hasten the coming of your kingdom
through our own works of mercy.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Catholic Church 1993, Proper of the Liturgy of the Hours of the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel and the Order of Discalced Carmelites (Rev. and augm.), Institutum Carmelitanum, Rome.
#Bettina #BlessedTeresaMaryOfTheCrossManetti #CarmeliteSistersOfStTeresaInFlorence #foundress #Liturgy #optionalMemorial #virgin
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb ….
It’ll be a little light because we’re starting at 6:00 am (I couldn’t convince people to be at church at 5:30 am). But morning is still the best time for the #EasterVigil
#Episcopal #Easter #Liturgy #SLECBuffalo #PriestLife
In these dark times I figured it was worthwhile to write something a little more light and hopeful. I love corny earnestness in #Christianity and so I wanted to share with you all a bit about my favorite examples of Retrofuturism enshrined in the liturgy of the Episcopal Church
https://catecheticconverter.com/space-age-prayer
#Episcopal #Church #Jesus #Retrofuturism #liturgy #worship #space #SpaceTravel #NASA
17 April: Blessed Baptist Spagnoli (Not observed in 2025)
April 17
BLESSED BAPTIST SPAGNOLI
Priest
Optional Memorial
Born in Mantua on April 17th, 1447, as a youth Baptist joined the Carmelites of the Congregation of Mantua at Ferrara. He made his religious profession in 1464 and served in many positions of responsibility in the community; he was vicar general of his congregation six times, and in 1513 was elected prior general of the whole Order. In his own time, he was a renowned humanist ‘who brought his richly varied poetry into the service of Christ.” He used his friendships with scholars as an opportunity of encouraging them to live a Christian life. He died in Mantua on March 20th, 1516.
From the Common of Holy Men (Religious)
Office of Readings
The Second Reading
From the treatise of Blessed Baptist Spagnoli “On Patience”
We draw hope from the consolation of scripture
You will find that the reading of sacred scripture is a great and powerful remedy against bodily suffering and depression of mind. In my opinion, there is no other writing, no matter how eloquent and stylish it may be, that can bring such peace to our minds and so thoroughly dissolve our cares as sacred scripture can.
I speak from personal experience: for there have been times when I was beset with anxieties, the worst of which came from the experience of my own weakness, and if on such occasions I sought relief in the scriptures, the hopes, and desires that led me there were never disappointed. The word of scripture proved to be a solid bulwark against my anxieties and a relief to my troubled spirit.
I have often wondered why the scriptures have this persuasive power, why they have such a powerful effect of those who listen to them, and why they lead us to the commitment of faith and not to the mere forming of opinion. This response of faith does not happen because of a reasoning process, because scripture does not offer one; and it is not a matter of literary style or artistic merit, because scripture does not use these devices; nor does it use soft words to persuade us.
The real reason that scripture has this persuasive power is that it comes from First Truth. Surely there can be no other explanation for such conviction. It seems as though scripture has an inherent authority that compels us to believe. But on what base does this authority rest? None of us has seen God preaching, writing, teaching — and yet we believe as though we had seen, and realize that what we read comes from the Holy Spirit. One reason for believing may well be that the truth contained in scripture is very solid truth, even though it is not as clear as we might wish. All truth has an inherent power to win our acceptance: the greater the truth, the greater its power.
So why is it, then, that not all believe the good news? My reply is that not all are drawn by God. However, there is no point in arguing further. We believe in sacred scripture to the degree that we accept in our hearts God’s divine inspiration.
Responsory
R/. Your decrees give me joy, * a joy beyond all wealth (alleluia).
V/. In Your statutes I find delight; I will not forget Your word, * a joy beyond all wealth (alleluia).
Canticle of Zechariah
Ant. The mouth of a virtuous man is a fountain of life: his lips enlighten many (alleluia).
Prayer
Lord God,
You made Our Lady’s faithful servant,
Blessed Baptist Spagnoli,
a preacher of Your Gospel by word and example.
Through His prayers
may we ponder Your word in Mary’s company
and praise You with her by the way we live.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Canticle of Mary
Ant. Your statutes have been my songs in the place of my exile; they are the delight of my heart (alleluia).
Catholic Church 1993, Proper of the Liturgy of the Hours of the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel and the Order of Discalced Carmelites (Rev. and augm.), Institutum Carmelitanum, Rome.
Featured image: This portrait of Blessed Baptist Spagnoli is attributed to Antonio Maria Crespi. The oil on canvas painting dates to the period 1613–1621 and forms part of the art collection at the Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana in Milan. Image credit: Pinacoteca Ambrosiana (Public domain)
#BlessedBaptistSpagnoli #Carmelite #Liturgy #Mantua #optionalMemorial #priest
18 April: Blessed Mary of the Incarnation Avrillot (Not observed in 2025)
April 18
BLESSED MARY OF THE INCARNATION AVRILLOT
Religious
Optional Memorial
In the houses in France: Memorial
Barbe Avrillot was born in Paris in 1566. At the age of sixteen, she married Pierre Acarie, by whom she had seven children. In spite of her household duties and many hardships, she attained the heights of the mystical life. Under the influence of St. Teresa’s writings, and after mystical contact with the Saint herself, she spared no effort in introducing the Discalced Carmelite nuns into France. After her husband’s death, she asked to be admitted among them as a lay sister, taking the name of Mary of the Incarnation; she was professed at the Carmel of Amiens in 1615. She was esteemed by some of the greatest men of her time, including St. Francis de Sales; and she was distinguished by her spirit of prayer and her zeal for the propagation of the Catholic faith. She died at Pontoise on April 18th, 1618.
From the Common of Holy Women (Religious)
Office of Readings
Hymn
Proud Heresy, with fur’ous, flame-like glance,
Hath gazed exulting on the Western nations;
And fired, as by a torch, unhappy France
is prey to cruel wars and devastations.
A noble woman, brave, of lion heart,
Now giveth rescue, home and faith defending,
With courage to repel the poison-dart,
And spurn the peril with a will unbending.
The exile of her lord is bravely borne,
Her scattered heritage and ruined dwelling;
She nobly conquers insult, pride, and scorn,
With joyful heart to lowly deeds compelling.
She faltereth not tho’ trial presseth sore,
Though cares abound, tho’ lamed in torture lying;
Nay, for her Lord’s sweet sake she craveth more,
To suffer all with Him her soul is sighing.
And when misfortune giveth place to peace,
She resteth not, her zeal o’erpasseth measure;
To spread the faith her ardors never cease,
And gentle service is her life and pleasure.
From Spain she seeketh help for her loved land,
For Carmel there, a noble vine hath flourished,
Transplanting thence a sacred virgin band,
By blest Theresa’s strength of spirit nourished.
All honor to the Father and the Son!
Be equal glory to the Spirit given!
O great Divinity, Thou, Three in One,
May ages praise Thee with the songs of Heaven!
10.11.10.11.
The Second Reading
From the Way of Perfection by Saint Teresa of Avila
(C. 1, no. 1ff.: ed. Kavanaugh-Rodriguez 1980, pp. 41-43, 50)
The apostolic aim of the Teresian Carmel
When I began to take the first steps toward founding this monastery, it was not my intention that there be so much external austerity.
At that time news reached me of the harm being done in France and of the havoc the Lutherans had caused and how much this miserable sect was growing. The news distressed me greatly, and, as though I could do something or were something, I cried to the Lord and begged him that I might remedy so much evil. It seemed to me that I would have given a thousand lives to save one soul out of the many that were being lost there.
I realized I was a woman and wretched and incapable of doing any of the useful things I desired to do in the service of the Lord. All my longing was and still is that since he has so many enemies and so few friends that these few friends be good ones. As a result I resolved to do the little that was in my power; that is, to follow the evangelical counsels as perfectly as I could and strive that these few persons who live here do the same.
I did this trusting in the great goodness of God, who never fails to help anone who is determined to give up everything for him. My trust was that if these sisters matched the ideal my desires had set for them, my faults would not have much strength in the midst of so many virtues; and I could thereby please the Lord in some way. Since we would all be occupied in prayer for those who are the defenders of the Church and for preachers and for learned men who protect her from attack, we could help as much as possible this Lord of mine who is roughly treated by those for whom he has done so much good; it seems these traitors would want him to be crucified again and that he have no place to lay his head. Still, my heart breaks to see how many souls are lost. Though I can’t grieve so much over the evil already done—that is irreparable—I would not want to see more of them lost each day.
O my Sisters in Christ, help me beg these things of the Lord. This is why he has gathered you together here. This is your vocation. These must be the things you desire, the things you weep about; these must be the objects of your petitions. The world is all in flames, they want to sentence Christ again, so to speak, since they raise a thousand false witnesses against him; they want to ravage his Church.
So, then, I beg you for the love of the Lord to ask His Majesty to hear us in this matter. Miserable though I am, I ask His Majesty this, since it is for his glory and the good of the Church; this glory and good is the object of my desires.
Responsory
R/. Let petitions and prayers of thanksgiving be offered to God for everyone: * for it is His will that all should be saved and come to know the truth (alleluia).
V/. Prayer of this kind is good, and pleasing to God our Savior, * for it is His will that all should be saved and come to know the truth (alleluia).
Morning Prayer
Hymn
Freed at length from marriage tie,
Winged with joy her soul doth fly
To the fortress of Teresa, led by Spirit’s call;
Choosing there the lowest place,
She, who with a mother’s grace
Well might rule and govern, now is subject unto all.
O’er her sisters rising far,
As a bright and glorious star,
Guide of all who seek the path of life to God above,
She all honor doth despise,
And with great Teresa vies
In the tortures of her heart consumed with flames of love.
Mount thee to the heavenly height,
In the grace of love and light,
Harken to thy suppliants then, who pleading cry to thee.
Cast a love-enkindled glance
On thine own, thy native France,
That all minds and hearts be one in faith and charity.
Hasten all ye right of heart,
Sing ye loud with joyful art
Praise to our Redeemer Christ, and humbly Him adore;
Praise with all the heavenly host
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
One in Blessed Trinity of Persons ever more.
77.76.D.
Canticle of Zechariah
Ant. Whatever you ask of the Father in my name, says the Lord, He will give you (alleluia).
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
You gave Blessed Mary of the Incarnation
heroic strength in the face of the adversities
she met along life’s road,
and zeal for the extension of the Carmelite family.
May we your children
courageously endure every trial
and persevere to the end in Your love.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Evening Prayer
Hymn
Let angels hymn sweet harmony unending,
Let Carmel gladly join her ardent prayer,
While temples echo with the songs ascending
Upon the joyful air.
The glorious life of Mary now inspires
The chanting of her praises, fitly due;
She dwelleth high amid celestial choirs,
In bliss serene and true.
Her mind reposed in God from earliest dawning;
Her ready heart was swift to prompting grace;
All empty pomp and sinful pleasures scorning,
She fled the world’s embrace.
To dwell with Christ a virgin, was her choosing;
She fondly sought Him for her Lord and Spouse,
But wishes of her parents ne’er refusing,
‘Neath wedded yoke she bows.
So hath God willed that this exalted matron
With brightest luster of her state might shine,
To them that wed a noble type and patron
Of virtues all divine.
As wife and mother strong her love and tender,
Meek to obey her husband’s every call,
To children and to servants prompt to render,
A prudent care in all.
All honor to the Father, Son, and Spirit,
O glorious Trinity enthroned above.
The blessed faith whose teachings we inherit,
Proclaims Thee One in love.
11.10.11.6
Canticle of Mary
Ant. I have not labored for myself alone, but for all who seek wisdom (alleluia).
Catholic Church 1993, Proper of the Liturgy of the Hours of the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel and the Order of Discalced Carmelites (Rev. and augm.), Institutum Carmelitanum, Rome.
Featured image: This portrait of Blessed Mary of the Incarnation was created by an unknown artist in the mid-17th century. The is part of the art collection at the Carmel of Saint Joseph in Pontoise, France. Image credit: Discalced Carmelites (Used by permission)
#BlessedMaryOfTheIncarnation #DiscalcedCarmelite #France #Liturgy #MadameAcarie #nuns #optionalMemorial #religious
Today the altar guild met at 3:00 to zoom with my daughter who gave instructions on folding #PalmCrosses. Then we moved into the church and rehearsed for the #MaundyThursday stripping of the altar and changed all the hangings to red and cross coverings to black.
I got home at 6:00.
#HolyWeek is almost here.
"Blessed are you, Jesus of Nazareth. You are the king who comes in peace, riding on a donkey".
Opening Prayers for Palm/Passion Sunday Year C (April 13 2025)
#PalmSunday
#PassionSunday
#liturgy
#worship
Opening Prayers for Palm/Passi...
At #SLECBuffalo :
the #Lent5 bulletin is finished and the #GreatLitany procession has been mapped out;
the #PalmSunday bulletin has been completed;
the #MaundyThursday bulletin is close to being finished.
We’re getting close to having a relaxing #HolyWeek
#Liturgy #Episcopal #PriestLife
Quote of the day, 2 April: St. Edith Stein
“Through him, with him, and in him in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, for ever and ever.”
With these solemn words, the priest ends the eucharistic prayer at the center of which is the mysterious event of the consecration. These words at the same time encapsulate the prayer of the church: honor and glory to the triune God through, with, and in Christ.
Although the words are directed to the Father, all glorification of the Father is at the same time glorification of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Indeed, the prayer extols the majesty that the Father imparts to the Son and that both impart to the Holy Spirit from eternity to eternity.
All praise of God is through, with, and in Christ.
The dual meanings of through, with, and in clearly express the God-man’s mediation.
The prayer of the church is the prayer of the ever-living Christ. Its prototype is Christ’s prayer during his human life.
Saint Edith Stein
The Prayer of the Church (1936)
Note: Edith’s former prioress, Sister Teresia Renata Posselt, O.C.D. comments on this essay in her biography, Edith Stein: Life of a Philosopher and Carmelite. Sister Teresia Renata writes:
Ecclesia orans. The classic phrase is indeed the most concise way of expressing the essence of Edith Stein. She was the embodiment of the Church’s prayer. No happier theme could have been offered her, to touch the deepest springs of her heart, than that set her by the Academic Union of St. Boniface: The Prayer of the Church. In 1936 she contributed an essay under that title to a symposium on “The Lifestream of the Church” (Bonifatius Verlag, Paderborn). The thoughts she there expresses are the precious fruits of her own enlightened devotion.
Whoever reads this, can discern that Sr. Benedicta here opens the carefully guarded door to the sanctuary of her soul and lets us glimpse a little of her intimacy with God, kindled to a flame of love by the Holy Spirit in the opus Dei and in contemplation. Many people who were not very close to her were disappointed when Edith Stein chose to enter the contemplative order of Carmel rather than a liturgical order. But anyone who reads her article The Prayer of the Church will unhesitatingly include her among the great men and women of prayer from whom she there quotes, and will realize that this soul, inclined to contemplation by nature and grace, by inclination and vocation, could only become a Carmelite.
Posselt, T 2005, Edith Stein: The Life of a Philosopher and Carmelite, translated from the German by Batzdorff S, Koeppel J, and Sullivan J, ICS Publications, Washington DC.
Stein, E. 2014, The Hidden Life: hagiographic essays, meditations, spiritual texts, translated from the German by Stein, W, ICS Publications, Washington DC.
Featured image: Orans woman in the Catacomb of Priscilla, a symbol of the Church at prayer. Image credit: Kristicak / Wikimedia Commons (Some rights reserved)
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Reflection question:
How does knowing you’re part of Christ’s Body change the way you pray?
Share your thoughts in the comments.
#contemplative #essay #Liturgy #prayer #StEdithStein #TeresiaRenataPosselt #vocation
I am not the world’s most spatially adept guy. Because of that, I just spent a much longer time than necessary mapping out the procession for the #GreatLitany this coming Sunday.
#Liturgy #SLECBuffalo #Worship #PriestLife
Opening Prayers for the Third Sunday in Lent Year C (March 23 2025)
These opening prayers for Sunday worship take their inspiration from the Scripture readings of the Revised Common Lectionary. Worship leaders are welcome to use them for worship, but if you print or display any part of them, please credit the author. Comments welcome. The following prayers are for based on the readings for The Third Sunday in Lent March 23, 2025.
Prayer of Approach and Confession
Because your steadfast love is better than life,
our lips will praise you.
Psalm 63.3 (alt)
Let us pray.
God of power and glory,
the provider of all good things,
we come before you today
hungry and thirsty for your presence.
We cannot comprehend you fully
for you are the source of all things
maker and sustainer of the universe.
Nor can we measure the height and depth of your love for us.
Yet when we think of all that you mean to us
we are overcome by joy.
Even when we try to ignore you,
you provide all that we need:
food and drink for our bodies;
colleagues, friends and families
to help us learn how to love one another;
work and duties which bring meaning to our lives;
music and art that lifts our souls;
times for rest and recuperation
and people to care for us when we need it
to remind us of your care for us.
God of power and glory,
with joy and gratitude
we worship you today.
We confess, gracious God
that too often we seem unaware of your goodness to us.
Even as you provide us with your good gifts
we fail to acknowledge and thank you.
We are often and greedy and thoughtless,
and ignore the cries of the poor and starving.
Even in our religion
we are often guilty of a false pride
thinking that we know all there is to know about you
imagining that we are better
than those who we think of a offenders against you.
But Jesus Christ calls us to recognise our failings.
His message calls all people to repentance-
even- perhaps especially-
those of us who call ourselves Christ’s followers.
He offers a second chance
to change our ways
so that we bear the fruits of our faith:
compassion, empathy, care for others.
Help us to hear again
his call to true repentance and deeper faith
that we might more perfectly love God and our neighbour.
Let us not put God to the test
but to trust in Christ’s salvation.
Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call upon God while he is near;
Isaiah 55:6 (alt)
silence
Faithful God,
forgive our failings
assure us of your forgiveness,
and help us to endure the trials of life
confident in the help and strength of your Spirit.
We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Opening Prayers for the Second Sunday in Lent Year C (March 16 2025)
These opening prayers for Sundays worship take their inspiration from the Scripture readings for the Revised Common Lectionary. Worship leaders are welcome to use them for worship, but if you print or display any part of them, please credit the author. Comments welcome. The following prayers are for based on the readings for The Second Sunday in Lent March 16, 2025.
Call to prayer or Call to worship
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27.1 (NRSV)
Let us pray.
Prayer of Approach
God of time and space,
creator of galaxies and snowdrops
you made us in love
and protect us by your power:
we praise you.
Lord Jesus Christ
who humbly came among us
healing the sick and befriending the poor and outcast
but now, in glory, rules over all:
we praise you.
Mysterious Spirit of God,
God alive and at work in our world
who brings miracles of hope and healing
in the face of death and threats of evil:
we praise you.
Holy God, Creator, Redeemer and Holy Spirit,
who is alone worthy of our praise and prayers,
our worship and obedience:
We praise you.
Prayer of Confession
We confess, merciful God
that we find it hard to imitate Christ
in our daily lives.
We are tempted to set our minds on earthly things
forgetting that our citizenship is in heaven.
Lift us up, we pray from despair and sin
take away our fear of the enemies of Christ
and shelter us and protect us
as we try to follow in his way.
Hear us, O Lord, as we cry aloud;
be gracious to us an answer us!
silence
Assurance of Pardon
Our confidence is in God alone.
Through the death and resurrection of Christ
our sins are forgiven.
And we are promised a Spirit of power to strengthen us.
May God grant us all forgiveness and peace.
Supplication
Almighty God,
conscious of the frailty of our faith
and the fickleness of our wills,
we offer ourselves to you
as those whose living and believing
need to be better modelled on your Son,
our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
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