First Mass at Immaculate Conception Church, Omaha, NE

From Saint John Vianney's catechism on Holy Orders:

My children, we have come to the Sacrament of Orders. It is a Sacrament which seems to relate to no one among you, and which yet relates to everyone. This Sacrament raises man up to God. What is a priest! A man who holds the place of God -- a man who is invested with all the powers of God. "Go, " said Our Lord to the priest; "as My Father sent Me, I send you. All power has been given Me in Heaven and on earth. Go then, teach all nations. . . . He who listens to you, listens to Me; he who despises you despises Me. " When the priest remits sins, he does not say, "God pardons you"; he says, "I absolve you. " At the Consecration, he does not say, "This is the Body of Our Lord;" he says, "This is My Body. 

Saint Bernard tells us that everything has come to us through Mary; and we may also say that everything has come to us through the priest; yes, all happiness, all graces, all heavenly gifts. If we had not the Sacrament of Orders, we should not have Our Lord. Who placed Him there, in that tabernacle? It was the priest. Who was it that received your soul, on its entrance into life? The priest. Who nourishes it, to give it strength to make its pilgrimage? The priest. Who will prepare it to appear before God, by washing that soul, for the last time, in the blood of Jesus Christ? The priest -- always the priest. And if that soul comes to the point of death, who will raise it up, who will restore it to calmness and peace? Again the priest. You cannot recall one single blessing from God without finding, side by side with this recollection, the image of the priest. 

Enjoy this video showing the highlights from the First Mass of Father J. Kodet, FSSP today at Immaculate Conception Church, a parish for the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter and the Archdiocese of Omaha.

Psalm 129, De Profundis: praying for the dead

De profundis clamavi ad te, Domine;
Domine, exaudi vocem meam. Fiant aures tuæ intendentes
in vocem deprecationis meæ.
Si iniquitates observaveris, Domine, Domine, quis sustinebit?
Quia apud te propitiatio est; et propter legem tuam sustinui te, Domine.
Sustinuit anima mea in verbo ejus:
Speravit anima mea in Domino.
A custodia matutina usque ad noctem, speret Israël in Domino.
Quia apud Dominum misericordia, et copiosa apud eum redemptio.
Et ipse redimet Israël ex omnibus iniquitatibus ejus.

Out of the depths I have cried to thee, O Lord:

Lord, hear my voice. Let thy ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.

If thou, O Lord, wilt mark iniquities: Lord, who shall stand it.

For with thee there is merciful forgiveness: and by reason of thy law, I have waited for thee, O  Lord. My soul hath relied on his word:

my soul hath hoped in the Lord.

From the morning watch even until night, let Israel hope in the Lord.

Because with the Lord there is mercy: and with him plentiful redemption.

And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities. 

This past week brought the death of a friend, a man of faith and someone endeared by those who knew him, priests, seminarians, and fellow parishioners alike.  He was a man who thought with the mind of the Church. 

Reflecting upon his death brought a renewed vigor to pray for the repose of the souls in purgatory. Each day we should pray for the poor souls, as the last bells ring in the third hour of the night let us commit to praying the De Profundis with the following versicles.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,

R. and let perpetual light shine upon them:

May they rest in peace

R. Amen.

Let us pray: Most gentle Heart of Jesus, ever present in the Blessed Sacrament, ever consumed with burning love for the poor souls in Purgatory, have mercy on the souls of the Faithful Departed. Be not severe in Thy Judgments, but let some drops of Thy Precious Blood fall upon the devouring flames and do Thou, O merciful Savior, send Thy angels to conduct them to a place of refreshment, light and peace. Amen.

May 23, Novena to the Holy Ghost: day 9

Come, O Divine Spirit, fill my heart with Thy heavenly fruits, Thy charity, joy, peace, patience, benignity, goodness, faith, mildness, and temperance, that I may never weary in the service of God, but by continued faithful submission to Thy inspiration, may merit to be united eternally with Thee in the love of the Father and the Son. Amen. 

Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and seven Glory Be's

Consecration to the Holy Ghost

On my knees before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses,
I offer myself soul and body to Thee, Eternal Spirit of God.
I adore the brightness of Thy purity,
the unerring keenness of Thy justice,
and the might of Thy love.

Thou art the Strength and Light of my soul.
In Thee I live and move and have my being.
I desire never to grieve Thee by unfaithfulness
and I pray with all my heart
to be kept from the smallest sin against Thee.

Mercifully guard my every thought, word, deed and hope.
Grant that I may always watch for Thy light,
listen to Thy voice,
and follow Thy gracious inspirations.

I cling to Thee and give myself to Thee
and ask Thee, by Thy compassion,
to watch over me in my weakness.
Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus
and looking at His Five Wounds,
trusting in His Precious Blood,
adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart,
I implore Thee, Adorable Spirit, Helper of my infirmity,
to keep me in Thy grace that I may never sin against Thee.

Give me grace, O Holy Spirit,
Spirit of the Father and the Son,
to say to Thee always and everywhere,

"Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth." Amen.

Prayer to the Holy Ghost for His Gifts

O Lord Jesus Christ

Who, before ascending into heaven,

did promise to send the Holy Spirit

to finish Thy work

in the souls of Thy Apostles and Disciples,

deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me,

that He may perfect in my soul

the work of Thy grace and Thy love.

Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom

that I may despise the perishable things of this world

and aspire only after the things that are eternal,

the Spirit of Understanding

to enlighten my mind with the light of Thy divine truth,

the Spirit of Counsel

that I may ever choose the surest way

of pleasing God and gaining heaven,

the Spirit of Fortitude

that I may bear my cross with Thee

and that I may overcome with courage

all the obstacles that oppose my salvation,

the Spirit of Knowledge

that I may know God and know myself

and grow perfect in the science of the Saints,

the Spirit of Piety

that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable,

and the Spirit of Fear

that I may be filled with a loving reverence

towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him.

Mark me, dear Lord, with the sign of Thy true disciples,

and animate me in all things with Thy Spirit. Amen.

May 22, Novena to the Holy Ghost: day 8

Come, O Spirit of Wisdom, and reveal to my soul the mysteries of heavenly things, their exceeding greatness, power and beauty. Teach me to love them above and beyond all passing joys and satisfactions of the earth. Help me to attain them and possess them for ever. Amen.

Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and seven Glory Be's

May 21, Novena to the Holy Ghost: day 7

Come, O Spirit of Counsel, help and guide me in all my ways, that I may always do Thy holy will. Incline my heart to that which is good; turn it away from all that is evil, and direct me by the straight path of Thy commandments to that goal of eternal life for which I long. Amen. 

Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and seven Glory Be's

May 20, Novena to the Holy Ghost: day 6

Come, O Spirit of Understanding, and enlighten our minds, that we may know and believe all the mysteries of salvation; and may merit at last to see the eternal light in Thy light; and in the light of glory to have a clear vision of Thee and the Father and the Son. Amen. 

Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and seven Glory Be's

May 19, Novena to the Holy Ghost: day 5

Come, O Blessed Spirit of Knowledge, and grant that I may perceive the will of the Father; show me the nothingness of earthly things, that I may realize their vanity and use them only for Thy glory and my own salvation, looking ever beyond them to Thee, and Thy eternal rewards. Amen.

Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and seven Glory Be's

May 18, Novena to the Holy Ghost: day 4

Come, O Blessed Spirit of Fortitude, uphold my soul in times of trouble and adversity, sustain my efforts after holiness, strengthen my weakness, give me courage against all the assaults of my enemies, that I may never be overcome and separated from Thee, my God and greatest Good. Amen. 

Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and seven Glory Be's

May 17, Novena to the Holy Ghost: Day 3

Come, O Blessed Spirit of Piety, possess my heart. Enkindle therein such a love for God, that I may find satisfaction only in His service, and for His sake lovingly submit to all legitimate authority. Amen. 

Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and seven Glory Be's

May 16, Novena to the Holy Ghost: day 2

Come, O blessed Spirit of Holy Fear, penetrate my inmost heart, that I may set Thee, my Lord and God, before my face forever; help me to shun all things that can offend Thee, and make me worthy to appear before the pure eyes of Thy Divine Majesty in heaven, where Thou livest and reignest in the unity of the ever Blessed Trinity, God world without end. Amen. 

Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and seven Glory Be's

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Image via Wikimedia, Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin

May 15, Novena to the Holy Ghost: Day 1

Almighty and eternal God, Who hast vouchsafed to regenerate us by water and the Holy Ghost, and hast given us forgiveness of all our sins, vouchsafe to send forth from heaven upon us Thy sevenfold Spirit, the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and Fortitude, the Spirit of Knowledge and Piety, and fill us with the Spirit of Holy Fear. Amen.

Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and seven Glory Be's


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Image via Wikimedia: painted by Corrado Giaquinto ca. 1750, The Holy Spirit

The Feast of the Ascension: 'Who is this King of Glory?'

May your celebration of the Feast of the Ascension be one full of grace and truth unto the increase of your hope and thus also your faith and charity!

I didn't understand the great importance of this Feast prior to reading a work for a paper I wrote a few months ago concerning the Angels, Angels and their Mission by Jean Cardinal Danielou. Before reading this book, my understanding of the Feast paled in comparison to the beautiful explanations provided in the work, specifically those of the Church Fathers. I hope to keep the post short, and still try to convey the striking beauty of the Ascension of Christ into Heaven.

Cardinal Danielou introduces the Fathers with these words, concerning the mystery of the Ascension of Our Lord:

Just as, at the Nativity, we see the Word descend, surrounded by the angels of heaven, and meet the guardian angels of earth, so now we see Him rise, accompanied by the angels of earth, and meet the angels who guard the gates of heaven. But these do not recognize Him, because He appears united to the human nature that He assumed and bearing the marks of His Passion. Thus, they question the angels who are accompanying Him to find out who He is.*

Elsewhere, he writes, "The Ascension is not only the elevation of Christ in His Body into the midst of the angels; to be more theologically precise, it is the exaltation of human nature, which the Word of God has united to Himself, above all the angelic orders that are superior to it. This is a complete reversal of the regular order, and it affords the angels an "unheard-of " spectacle."**

St. John Chrysostom adds:

Today we are raised up into heaven, we who seemed unworthy even of earth. We are exalted above the heavens; we arrive at the kingly throne. The nature that caused the Cherubim to keep guard over paradise is seated today above the Cherubim. Was it not enough to be elevated above the heavens? Was it not enough to have place among the angels? Was not such a glory beyond all expression? But He rose above the angels, He passed the Cherubim, He went higher than the Seraphim, He bypassed the Thrones, He did not stop until He arrived at the very throne of God.***

Saint Irenaeus describes the scene, for me the most beautifully, as he expounds upon Psalm 23: 7-10:

David says somewhere that He was to be lifted up into heaven. "Princes, raise up your gates; rise up, gates of eternity, and the King of Glory shall pass through." The gates of eternity are heaven...Seeing Him approach, the lower angels cried out to those who were above them, "Open your gates; rise up, ye gates of eternity; the King of Glory will enter." And when the angels from above asked in their astonishment, "Who is He?" those who saw Him cried out anew, "It is the Lord, strong and mighty. It is the King of Glory."^

Saint Athanasius also highlights the dialogue between the choirs of Angels during the Ascension of Our Lord:

The angels of the Lord who followed Him upon earth, seeing Him arise, announced His coming to the Virtues of heaven, so that they might open their gates. The Powers were filled with amazement at seeing Him in the flesh. That is why they cried, `Who is this?' - astounded by this mysterious order of salvation. And the Angels rising with Christ answered them, `The Lord of Powers, He is the King of Glory who teaches the great mystery to those who are in heaven: that the King of Glory has won the victory over the spiritual enemy.^^

 Danielou continues noting, "The entry of the Incarnate Word into heaven appears much like an unforeseen revelation made to the heavenly Powers."^^^

The Angels were amazed at seeing Our Lord, Who had suffered His Passion and bore the glorious marks upon His Sacred Body. He is not recognized having put on the 'poor tunic of our nature' and dressed in garments 'dyed crimson in the winepress of human evils.'~

Let us meditate upon Psalm 23 and be reminded of the dignity in Christ we possess and the duty we have to honor Christ Our King, Ascended into Heaven!

The earth is the Lord' s and the fulness thereof: the world, and all they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas; and hath prepared it upon the rivers. Who shall ascend into the mountain of the Lord: or who shall stand in his holy place? The innocent in hands, and clean of heart, who hath not taken his soul in vain, nor sworn deceitfully to his neighbour. He shall receive a blessing from the Lord, and mercy from God his Saviour.

This is the generation of them that seek him, of them that seek the face of the God of Jacob. Lift up your gates, O ye princes, and be ye lifted up, O eternal gates: and the King of Glory shall enter in. Who is this King of Glory? the Lord who is strong and mighty: the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your gates, O ye princes, and be ye lifted up, O eternal gates: and the King of Glory shall enter in. Who is this King of Glory? the Lord of hosts, he is the King of Glory.

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*Jean  Danielou. Angels and Their Mission (Kindle Locations 363-366). Kindle Edition.
**Ibid., 344-347
***Ibid., 356-360

^Ibid., 377-380
^^Ibid., 383-387
^^^Ibid., 387
~Ibid., 390

Rogation Days

Traditionally, these days are days of fasting, especially on Wednesday, the Vigil of the Ascension.

Let us meditate on the Gospel for the Rogation Mass, which is that taken from the Gospel according the Saint Luke, chapter 11, verses 5 thru 13:

At that time Jesus said to his disciples: "Which of you shall have a friend and shall go to him in the middle of the night and say to him. 'Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has just come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him'; and he from within should answer and say, 'Do not disturb me; the door is now shut, and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give to you.' "I say to you, although he will not get up and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him all he needs.
And I say unto you, ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; and he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks it shall be opened. But if one of you asks his father for a loaf, will he hand him a stone? or for a fish, will he for a fish hand him a serpent? or if he asks for an egg, will he hand him a scorpion? Therefore, if you, evil as you are, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Good Spirit to those who ask him!"

Here is a short video from the first Rogation day at the rural farm of a family from Immaculate Conception Church, a parish of the FSSP and the Archdiocese of Omaha:

It would serve you well to also meditate on the prayers which precede the Holy Mass on these days, some are included in the snapshot below:

The Holy Scourging...

Yet how often I fail to even offer the smallest of sacrifices. Oh beautiful Love, oh ancient Love, how willing You are to pardon, and even more willing to express Thy Love for poor sinners by the smallest of caresses and the quietest whispers of assurance and comfort. May a day not pass in which Thy Holy Passion does not give beat to my heart. A beat in unison with Thy Most Sacred Heart!

My Queen, My Lady: May Crowning

How dear is it to see children bring flowers to Our Lady, to see children honor their Mother!

Here is a video from the May Crowning at Immaculate Conception Parish, a parish of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter.

Thou Virgin Mother, daughter of thy Son
Humble and high beyond all other creatures.
The limit fixed of the eternal counsel,
Thou art the one who such nobility
To human nature gave, that its Creator
Did not disdain to make himself its creature,
Within thy womb rekindled was the love,
By heat of which in the eternal peace
After suchwise this flower has germinated.
Here unto us thou art a noonday torch
Of charity, and below there among mortals
Thou art the living fountain-head of hope.
Lady thou art so great, and so prevailing,
That he who wishes grace, nor runs to thee
His aspirations without wings would fly.
Not only thy benignity gives succor
To him who asketh it, but oftentimes
Forerunneth of its own accord the asking.
In thee compassion is, in thee is pity,
In thee magnificence, in thee unites
Whate'er of goodness is in any creature.

(Dante, Paradiso, canto XXXIII, verses 1-21)

The Innocence of Christ the King

So many deny Christ His Rights as King. So many are seemingly unmoved by the sight of the innocent Infant King in the arms of His Blessed Mother Mary. 

Let us acknowledge Christ's rights as King and humbly submit ourselves to follow Him.

The wicked mob screams out:
“We don’t want Christ as king!,”
While we, with shouts of joy, hail
Thee as the world’s supreme King.*

*From the last verse of the Vesper's hymn for the Feast of Christ the King