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Rorate Mass {A New Season}

by Filed Under: Advent, Rorate Leave a Comment

There is no exercise which is more pleasing to God, or more meritorious, or which has greater influence in infusing solid piety into the soul, than the assisting at the holy sacrifice of the Mass. If this be true at all the various seasons of the Christian year, it is so, in a very special manner, during the holy time of Advent. The faithful, therefore, should make every effort in order to enjoy this precious blessing, even on those days when they are not obliged to it by the precept of the Church. #domprospergueranger

The Rorate Mass is a special votive mass for Our Lady during Advent, traditionally celebrated by candlelight in the early morning. As the Mass ends the sky is just starting to glow with the new day and we journey from darkness to light and the coming of the Word Made Flesh in the womb of the Virgin Mother is upon us.

The beauty and austerity of the morning can not be put into words. The senses are drawn in more than ever before.

This year, it is my time — no need to stay behind with littles or reserve my energy for pregnancy. I do not squander the opportunity. We rise at 3:30am to prepare to assist at Holy Mass. We must arrive early to get a seat. The extra hour and a half with our Lord is a sweet Advent consolation for me.

We long for the darkness that we will be surrounded with in the Church, the world, and that which is placed before us for this Holy Mass. We impress the necessity for us to trust in the maternal love of Our Lady for all our needs as we prepare for Holy Mass.

Holy Mass begins and all the worries fade. The darkness is almost unnoticeable as all the senses are drawn into the True Light.

It’s all a beautiful preparation for the Christchild.

I give thanks for this glorious gift!

Divine Infant King Jesus, come down into our hearts!

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Have you been blessed to attend a Rorate Mass this Advent or in a past Advent?

Keep Studying

by Filed Under: Papal Documents, Pope Pius IX, Syllabus of Errors Leave a Comment

We ended yesterday’s glorious feast of the Immaculate Conception of the BVM with our Advent family devotions AND further discussed what our 17 year old began with Father in her civics & religion lessons from earlier in the week.

The same year that Pope Pius IX proclaimed the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, he released a major proclamation. It is one that has long been forgotten. But it is one that we should well be aware of as it contains condemnations — the errors that built the modern world. These are much of the errors of our current time, and many of which are promoted within the NO church, including the current hierarchy.

If you’ve never read it, are not aware of it, or haven’t revisited in some time — do so now!

The Syllabus of Errors is an important papal document that was sent to all the bishops of the Catholic world in 1864 “in order that these same bishops may have before their eyes all the errors and pernicious doctrines which he [Pius IX] has reprobated and condemned.”

The Syllabus is a catalog of 80 erroneous propositions, a list of the most common errors of modern thinking.

It is grouped under ten separate headings, each proposition is cross-referenced to the specific Papal document where the particular proposition was discussed—and condemned as erroneous.

This document is useful for us to have a better understanding of what we’re dealing with in our current times and within the Church — all of which will continue to affect our future and that of the world.

Immaculate mary, pray for us!

Pope Pius IX. “The Syllabus of Errors.” Papal Encyclicals, 18 Dec. 2017, https://www.papalencyclicals.net/pius09/p9syll.htm.

Pope Pius IX. “Quantra Cura & The Syllabus of Errors.” Angelus Press, Feb. 2017, https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1527/1691/files/Quanta_Cura.pdf. 

Family Advent Devotions

by Filed Under: Advent Leave a Comment

Our Advent devotions are led by our oldest son (not the oldest children in the home whom are girls) when Dad is away and not available to call us for our family prayers. And the youngest always NEEDS to lead a mystery. We pray for all the intentions we hold in our hearts and those which you have shared with us.

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Prayer is the most necessary weapon of defense against our enemies; he who does not avail himself of it, says St. Thomas, is lost….

In order to understand better the value of prayers in God’s sight, it is sufficient to read both in the Old and New Testaments the innumerable promises which God makes to the man that prays. Cry to me, and l will hear you (Ps. 49,15). Call upon me, and I will deliver you (Jer. 33,3). Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. He shall give good things to them that ask him (Mt. 7,7). Everyone that asks receives, and he that seeks finds (Lk. 11,10). Whatsoever they shall ask, it shall be done for them by my Father (Jn 15,7). All things whatsoever you ask when you pray, believe that you shall receive them, and they shall come to you (Mt. 18,19). If you ask me anything in my name, that will I do (Jn 14,14). You shall ask whatever you will, and it shall be done to you. Amen, amen, l say to you, if you ask the Father anything in my name, he will give it to you (Jn 16,23). There are a thousand similar texts; but it would take too long to quote them. #stalphonsusliguori my #advent patron

Our rhythm is slowing down – not like years past but a new season with more “lasts” than “firsts”. Our baby is 5!

I give thanks for them all and take none of it for granted — praying for the grace to live each moment to the fullest and to tend to my duties as He wills.

Veni, Veni Emmanuel

Previous Years:

Our First Week of Advent

by Filed Under: Advent, First Week of Advent, Jesse Tree, Second Sunday in Advent Leave a Comment

My boys and I made our own manger for Baby Jesus.

For years we have just put their hay (received for sacrifices, almsgiving,…) into our crèche floor. And every year we would say how much we wanted a larger scale, more realistic manger. I hadn’t ever found one and was even ready to resort to making one out of cardboard.

Instead, I took a trip down the craft isle while grocery shopping and came across the “pallet” wall hanging for $4.95. I bought two and $1 worth of paint. We improvised as we went and persevered despite having malfunctions with our tools — currently it’s being held together with hot glue. But I think that will be perfect, making it easy to take apart for storage.

Our “Baby Jesus” will be my son’s prop for his All Saint’s Day costume, St. Cajetan.

So, four days into Advent and we’re still getting things set — no perfection or rush. It would be nice to have our Jesse TREE and ornaments out but those have been misplaced. My oldest son said he will make it happen tomorrow.

We actually like the staggered start with all of our traditions — the anticipation builds naturally with nothing forced, only prompted by my children’s desires to pick up the traditions which they have so lovingly embraced.

On Sunday, we moved a step deeper into Advent…

Second Sunday of Advent {Affections and Prayers}

by Filed Under: Second Sunday in Advent, Second Week of Advent, St. Alphonsus Liguori Leave a Comment

O my Jesus! if Thou hadst not accepted and suffered death for me, I should have remained dead in my sins, without hope of salvation and without the power of ever loving Thee. But after Thou hast obtained life for me by Thy death, I have again many times voluntarily forfeited it by returning to sin.

Thou didst die to gain my heart to Thyself, and I by my rebellion have made it a slave of the devil. I lost all reverence for Thee, and I said that I would no longer have Thee for my master.

All this is true; but it is also true that Thou desirest not the death of the sinner, but that he should be converted and live; and therefore didst Thou die to give us life.

I repent of having offended Thee, my dearest Redeemer; and do Thou pardon me through the merits of Thy Passion; give me Thy grace; give me that life which Thou hast purchased for me by Thy death, and henceforth mayest Thou have entire dominion over my heart.

Never let the devil have possession of it again; he is not my God, he does not love me, and has not suffered anything for me.

In past times he was not the true sovereign, but the robber of my soul; Thou alone, my Jesus, art my true Lord, who hast created and redeemed me with Thy blood; Thou alone hast loved me, and oh, how much! It is therefore only just that I should be Thine alone during the life that remains to me.

Tell me what Thou wouldst have me to do; for I will do it all.

Chastise me as Thou wilt; I accept everything Thou sendest me; only spare me the chastisement of living without Thy love; make me love Thee, and then dispose of me as Thou wilt.

Most holy Mary, my refuge and consolation, recommend me to thy Son: his death and thy intercession are all my hope.

– Meditations for Every Day of Advent – Second Sunday, St. Alphonsus Ligouri

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