Saturday of our Lady

I'm going to, as I often do, let our beloved Abbot Gueranger, bring us into this day:

'This being Saturday, let us once more think of Mary, and of the joy she feels at the Resurrection of her Son. She had been His companion in His sufferings; there was not one that she had not endured, and suffered as far as a mere creature could suffer: so, too, there is not a single glory or gladness of the Resurrection in which she is not now made to participate. It was meet that she, to whom God had granted the grace and merit of sharing in the work of the Redemption, should take her part in the prerogatives which belong to her Jesus, now that He is risen. Her soul is raised to a higher state of perfection; grace loads her with new favours; her actions and sentiments become more than ever heavenly.

She was the first to receive a visit from Jesus after His Resurrection--the first, consequently, to receive from Him His own new life. Can we be astonished at her receiving it when we remember that every Christian, who, being purified by his having compassionated with Jesus in His Passion, unites Himself afterwards with holy Church, in the sublime mystery of the Pasch, becomes a sharer in the life of his risen Lord? This transformation, which in us is weak, and often, alas! of short duration, was perfect in Mary, for her high vocation and her incomparable fidelity deserved that it should be so; of her, then, far more truly than of us, it may be said that she was indeed risen in her Jesus.

The thought of these forty days, during which Mary still possesses her divine Son on this earth, reminds us of those other forty of Bethlehem, when we paid our affectionate homage to the young Virgin-Mother who fed her divine Babe at her breast; we heard the angels singing their Gloria, we saw the shepherds and the Magi; all was exquisite sweetness. What mainly impressed us then was the humility of our Emmanuel; we recognized Him as the Lamb that had come to take away the sins of the world; there was nothing that betokened the Mighty God. What changes have happened since that dear time?! What sorrows have pierced Mary's heart before her reaching this blissful season of Pascal joy! The sword foretold by Simeon is now, indeed, sheathed, yea, broken forever, but oh! how sharp and cruel have been its thrusts! Well may Mary now say with the Psalmist: According to the multitude of my sorrows in my heart, thy comforts, O Lord, have given joy to my soul! (Ps. 96,19) The Lamb, the gentle little Lamb, has become the Lion of the tribe of Juda; and Mary, the Mother of the Babe of Bethlehem, is equally the Mother of the glorious Conqueror!'


I want to end with a Sequence which was used in the Churches of Germany, celebrating the Seven Joys of our Blessed Mother, of which the Resurrection was one of the grandest.

O Virgin! Temple of the Trinity! the God of all goodness and mercy, being pleased with the loveliness of thy purity, is announced as having to be born of thee. The message is brought thee by the angel who hails thee 'full of grace'. Thou askest how? and thou art told. Thou consentest: and the King of glory instantly becomes incarnate in thy womb.

We beseech thee by this Joy, that we may deserve to receive mercy from this King, be protected by Him, and, thus protected, be admitted into the land of the living.

The second Joy is that thou, the Star, givest birth to the Sun, as the Moon emits its ray. This birth injures thee not; thou remainest a Virgin as before. As a flower loses not its beauty by sending forth its fragrance; so neither losest thou the bloom of thy Virginity by giving birth to thy Creator.

O Mary, kind Mother! be to us the way that leads to thy Son; and, by thy second Joy, graciously intercede for us, that we be converted from our sins.

A star tells thee of thy third Joy. Thou seest a star resting over thy Child, the Magi adoring Him, and offering their varied gifts. The star expresses Unity; three Kings, Trinity; the gold signifies purity of soul; the myrrh, chastity of body; the incense, adoration.

O Mary, Star of the Sea! pray for us, that we may be cleanses from our sins, enriched with virtue, and united with thee in the happiness and bliss of the heavenly Country.

The fourth Joy, O holy Virgin! was given thee, when Jesus rose from the tomb, on the third day. By this Mystery, faith is strengthened, hope restored, and death put to flight; and thou, O full of grace, hadst thy share in effecting these wonders. The enemy is conquered: he is imprisoned, and loses his power. Man, who had been made captive, is set free, and raised from earth to heaven above.

Do thou, therefore, O Mother of our Creator! pray hourly for us, that, by this Joy, we may be associated with the choirs of the heavenly citizens, after this life's labours are over.

Thou didst receive thy fifth Joy, O Mary! when thou wast present at thy Son's Ascension into heaven. Then didst thou clearly know that He whose Mother thou wast was thy Creator. His Ascension shows us the path whereby we are to ascend to heaven. Let us then, who dwell in this miserable world, arise, and follow this path.

We beseech thee, by this Joy, to pray that we may never be made subject to Satan's power; but that we ascend to heaven, where, with thee and thy Son, we may rejoice for all eternity.

The sixth Joy was when the Holy Ghost descended, in the form of fiery tongues, from heaven, strengthening, defending, fill, cleansing, and inflaming the Apostles. The fire was given in tongues, that man, who owed his perdition to a tongue, might be saved by such fire; and that he who, at the beginning, had been defiled by sin, might by fire be purified.

We pray thee, O Virgin! by this holy Joy, intercede for us to thy Son, that He pardon us our sins, now in this our exile, lest there be found guilt upon us at the great judgement.

Jesus invited thee to the seventh Joy, when He called out of this world to heaven, placed thee on thy throne, and honoured thee with special favours. Thus is honour given to thee, such as none of the blessed in heaven enjoy; not can any mortal attain to the perfection of virtue, unless by thine intercession he receive the safeguard of virtue.


O Virgin Mother of Mercy! give us to feel the proofs of thy loving intercession, which will preserve us from sin, and lead us to eternal joys, in the company of the Blessed.

O Virgin most pure! we beseech thee, by these thy Seven Joys, pray that we may be purified from our sins; and, being made fruitful in good works, lead us, O fruitful Mother, to the blissful joys of heaven. Amen.

Spiritual Communion?

After 33 years of becoming Roman Catholic, I am still learning things. Yeah, I know, go figure! Anyway, I came to an epiphany today with help from a book I am now reading. It is called: "Spiritual Combat, by Lorenzo Scupoli, a priest who lived 1530-1610. The first edition came out in 1589 in Venice. It was translated into English in 1899, and is available from SOPHIA INSTITUTE in New Hampshire. St. Francis de Sales called this book 'golden', and his favorite, and carried a copy with him at all times. Well worth the reading if you should decide to obtain a copy.

Anyway, I am reading a chapter where he speaks of receiving 'Spiritual Communion'. I have used this on Sundays when I am unable to go to Mass for whatever reason. However, Mr. Scupoli suggests that we ask for It every hour of the day. I never even thought of doing this, and I can't think of why I didn't. Can you imagine of going to the Eucharist unworthily? Well, I'm thinking; if we do a Spiritual Communion during the day, wouldn't it help us not to do the things we do during the course of the day? Whatever we think, whatever we say, and whatever we do would be impacted if we thought of receiving Him spiritually. Would we be worthy to receive Him at any moment of the day?

Mr. Scupoli remarks: '...we may receive our Lord spiritually at every hour and at every moment. And nothing but negligence or some other fault on our part can deprive us of this privilege. Spiritual Communion may even be more advantageous to us and acceptable to God than many sacramental Communions, when the latter are received with imperfect dispositions. As often, then, as you shall dispose yourself and prepare for spiritual Communion, you will find the Son of God ready to give Himself with His own hands to you for your spiritual food.

By the way of preparation, turn your thoughts to Him for this end. And, after a short examination of your failings, mourn with Him over your offenses, and, with all humility and Faith, beseech Him that He would voushsafe to enter into your poor soul with some fresh gift of grace, to heal it and fortify it against the enemy.

When about to do violence to yourself and to mortify some appetite, or to do some act of virtue, do all with the motive of preparing your heart for your Lord, who is continually demanding this of you. Then turn to Him and invite Him with earnestness to come with His grace to heal you and deliver you from your enemies, to the end that He alone may possess your heart. Or else, calling to mind your last sacramental Confession, say with enkindled heart, "When, my Lord, shall I again receive Thee?"

But if you desire to prepare yourself, and spiritually communicate in a more orderly manner, on the evening before, address all mortifications, acts of virtue, and every other good work to this end, that you may spiritually receive your Lord. And in the morning, consider what great happiness and benefit the soul gains by worthily receiving the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar (for in it lost virtue is regained, the soul is brought back to its first beauty and receives the fruits and merits of the Passion of the Son of God). And consider how pleasing it is to God that you receive it and possess these blessings, so that you may inflame your heart with a great desire to receive it to give Him pleasure.

When this desire is enkindled within you, turning to Him, say, "Inasmuch as it is not granted to me, Lord, today to receive Thee sacramentally, grant, O uncreated Goodness and Power, that I---every fault having been pardoned and healed---may now worthily receive Thee spiritually, every hour and every day, and provide me with fresh grace and strength against all my enemies, particularly against that one upon which, for Thy pleasure, I am making war."'


The above is just a part of this chapter, but it made me stop and think, about for the numerous times I could have been doing this and didn't. Let us together start receiving Him spiritually, and thanking Him for everything He has given, and beg Him to help us not to offend Him anymore. After all, He died for each one of us individually.

Mr. Scupoli ends with this: 'then, in a strain of thankfulness for the gifts and favors that the Lord has bestowed on you during that day, acknowledge Him as the Doer of all good, and return thanks to Him for having rescued you from so many open enemies and from so many more hidden ones, for having given you good thoughts and occasions of virtue, and for all other benefits that you may not have known, even though you received them.'

"CatholicTradition.org" has this online in its entirety, if you don't wish to purchase a copy.

St. Justin Martyr

I know that this Saint's day was yesterday, but I was distracted; thinking about mowing grass, as well as going to a bowling banquet, where my team was the Champion of the league. However, better late than never, I offer this little writing concerning Saint Justin Martyr. This is what can happen when we are really trying to learn the Truth of God. He is always willing to impart His infinite Wisdom to those who are sincere in their endeavors. Once Justin has learned the Truth, he feels the need to impart this Wisdom to everyone, even to the leaders of the world. This is called an Apology; to learn the Truth and pass it on. (Note: an 'apology does NOT mean we are apologizing for anything, but rather explaining) This thought process, in turn, cost Justin his head. But, by doing this, he gained his eternal reward. God rewards the willing ones.


One thing he said upon being arrested and questioned about his beliefs, said: "The right doctrine which we Christian men do keep with godliness is this: that we believe that there is one God, the Maker and Creator of all things, both those which are seen and those which bodily eyes do not see; and that we confess the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Who was of old foretold by the Prophets, and Who is to come to judge all mankind."

St. Justin was born of heathen parents at Neapolis in Samaria, about the year 103. He was well educated, and gave himself to the study of philosophy, but always with one object, that he might learn the knowledge of God. He sought this knowledge among the contending schools of philosophy, but always in vain, till at last God himself appeased the thirst which He had created. One day, while Justin was walking by the seashore, meditating on the thought of God, an old man met him and questioned him on the subject of his doubts; and when he had made Justin confess that the philosophers taught nothing certain about God, he told him of the writings of the inspired prophets and of Jesus Christ Whom they announced, and bade him seek light and understanding through prayer. The Scriptures and the constancy of the Christian martyrs led Justin from the darkness of human reason to the light of Faith. In his zeal for the Faith he travelled to Greece, Egypt, and Italy, gaining many to Christ. At Rome he sealed his testimony with his blood, surrounded by his disciples. "Do you think," the prefect said to Justin, "that by dying you will enter heaven, and be rewarded by God?" "I do not think," was the Saint's answer; "I know." Then, as now, there were many religious opinions, but only one thing certain: the certainty of the Catholic faith. This certainty should be the measure of our confidence and our zeal.

We have received the gift of Faith with little labor of our own. Let us learn how to value it from those who reached it after long search, and lived in the misery of a world which did not know God. Let us fear, as St. Justin did, the account we shall have to render for the gift of God.


Our beloved Abbot Gueranger has a prayer to this Saint in today's writing, and I'm going to put pieces of it here:

'Thou wast born in the kingdom of darkness, but thou didst early seek to break the chains of falsehood which bound thee like so many others. Thou didst love Wisdom even before thou didst know her, and she too had chosen thee. (Ecclus. iv, 18) But, she will not enter into a malicious soul, nor dwell in a body subject to sins. (Wis. i,4) Many men seek to hide their self-love under the beautiful name of Philosophy, and to find in her an excuse for all their vices; but thou didst seek for knowledge out of a desire to know and love the Truth and her laws. This purity of heart and mind brought thee near to God and made thee worthy to meet in the ways of life the living Wisdom whom thou art now enjoying in the full light of eternity...'

Apparently, after the Vatican Council I, the same problems with vain people emerged; those who thought they knew what was best for themselves. Our Abbot continues: 'It is hardly becoming for such men to reproach the Church with despising reason. On the contrary, the Church has but lately, in the Council, emphasized and exalted the mutual help rendered by Faith and reason in leading men to God, and she casts out of her fold those who deny to human reason the power to affirm with certainty the existence of God our Lord and Creator. When seeking to define in these days the respective value of Faith and reason, without either separating or confusing them, the Church had but to listen to the testimony of Christian philosophers in all centuries, beginning with thee (Justin), for their works, which complete one another, are full of this doctrine...Christian champions may not rest satisfied with a toleration extended equally to Christ and satan. They must cry with thee, even when fresh violence is threatened: "Our cause is just, for we, and we alone, speak the Truth."'


St. Justin is considered the most important of the second century apologists, and is an outstanding model for lay apostles of today. His life was devoted to the task of harmonizing the wisdom of the world with those greater riches revealed in the true Faith.

He is the Patron Saint of: apologists, lecturers, orators, philosophers, and speakers.

Quote:

"We call this food Eucharist, and no one else is permitted to partake of it, except one who believes our teaching to be true and who has been washed in the washing which is for the remission of sins and for regeneration [has received baptism] and is thereby living as Christ enjoined. For not as common bread nor common drink do we receive these; but since Jesus Christ our Savior was made incarnate by the word of God and had both Flesh and Blood for our salvation, so too, as we have been taught, the food which has been made into the Eucharist by the Eucharistic prayer set down by Him, and by the change of which our blood and flesh is nurtured, is both the Flesh and the Blood of that incarnated Jesus.”

~ St. Justin Martyr, First Apologia (# 66)

St. Justin Martyr, please pray for us in our endeavors to propose the eternal Truth to those who seemingly are not listening.

Amorality rules!

The beeeotch is back; as if she ever left. She is throwing her multiple hats into the ring for presidency of the US. It wouldn't surprise me if she made it, since we have already had the greatest congame and abuse of the Constitution since its inception. We have someone in there right now who was NOT even eligible, running and ruining the world, and no one seems to bat an eyelash! This time, the seemingly only 'libtard' in the race has announced her pant-suited waddle for that same seat! I say the 'only' because, have we heard of anyone else running? The media has already made up their collective mind!

However, I must say this: Whoever votes for or supports anyone who is for abortion in any way has incurred a MORTAL SIN for their soul in the eyes of God, therefore making them ineligible to receive heaven. So-called Catholics are in danger of losing their souls with their misguided endeavors. All will be in mortal sin, but Catholics more so, since they should know better. And, it they don't, shame on them! And, shame on the teachers who taught them their error. If these 'catholics' go to Holy Communion, they have incurred yet another mortal sin on their soul. Think about how many politicians who call themselves 'catholic' are running a huge risk. They think they are of the non-stick variety.

The other party doesn't seem to have anyone worthy either. They are all two-faced! The 'Tea Party' at least have morals; but even they have been infiltrated with some 'liberal' ideas by some.

It looks like we will get a 'golden swirly' once again. But, we are getting what we deserve, and it is because people have given in to immorality and rejected the only ONE Who can help us. If it wasn't for His Mother holding back His arm, we would just be crumbs at the bottom of the toaster!

Please say NO to this poor wreck of a person.

LOW SUNDAY--Quasimodo Sunday

This Sunday is called 'Low Sunday.' It is apparent that this name signifies the octave of the Easter celebrations, and because it is on a lower scale than the Highness of last Sunday. We hear about 'Doubting' Thomas. He didn't believe the Apostles when they said they had seen our Lord Jesus, he just didn't believe them. Jesus wouldn't do a miracle for Herod, and He won't do one now just to make us believe. The following Sunday, Thomas did see and then believed. Jesus told him: "Because thou hast seen me, Thomas, thou hast believed. blessed are they who have not seen and have believed."

According to our beloved Abbot, Gueranger:
'Such is the great Truth, spoken by the lips of the God-Man: it is a most important counsel, given, not only to Thomas, but to all who would serve God and secure their salvation. What is it that Jesus asks of His disciple (Thomas)? Has He not heard him make profession that now, at last, he firmly believes? After all, was there any great fault in Thomas' insisting on having experimental evidence before believing in so extraordinary a miracle as the Resurrection? Was he obliged to trust to the testimony of Peter and the others, under penalty of offending his divine Master? Did he not evince his prudence, by withholding his assent until he had additional proofs of the truth of what his brethren told him? Yes, Thomas was a circumspect and prudent man, and one that was slow to believe what he had heard; he was worthy to be taken as a model by those Christians who reason and sit in judgement upon matters of faith. Jesus is merciful, and has condescended to the weakness of His disciple as to accept the condition on which alone he declares that he will believe: now the disciple stands trembling before his risen Lord...This stubbornness, this incredulity, deserves a punishment: the punishment is, to have these words said to him: "Thomas! thou hast believed, because thou hast seen!"

Then was Thomas obliged to believe before having seen? Yes, undoubtedly. Not only Thomas, but all the Apostles were in duty bound to believe the Resurrection of Jesus even before He showed Himself to them...'

(I myself have often wondered about what Thomas received as a punishment, as it were. He wasn't present on Easter Sunday evening, when the others had Jesus breathe on them and give them the power to forgive or bind sins by the Holy Spirit. Did he, as a kind of punishment, have to wait until Pentecost to receive these gifts? Just wonderin')

Our belief has not been perfect at all times. After hearing about an Apostle, Thomas, let us strive to do better. As our beloved Abbot states: 'Let us go to our Jesus, and say to Him: 'Thou art my Lord and my God! But alas! I have many times thought and acted as though thou were my Lord and my God in some things, and not in others. Henceforth I will believe without seeing; for I would be of the number of those whom thou callest blessed!'

NOTE TO SELF:
We believe first, and then we see things more clearly. It's like our Blessed Mother in her Magnificat, when she states: "My soul magnifies the Lord". If we look closer at her, maybe we can see clearer things concerning her son, Christ.

My Lord and my God, help my unbelief.



Also, on this, which is called a Greater Double rite; it is such a solemn day, that NO feast, however great, is supposed to be kept on it. 'Mercy Sunday'? Could it be that JP2 bypassed the Church Canons and history when he started this, just as he did when he started the 'Luminous' mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary of our Blessed Mother Mary. I think she knew what she was doing and how she wanted it said; far better than the Holy Father; when she asked for this devotion to begin in the 13th century. JPII knows better now, wherever he ended up, doesn't he?

We used to participate in this Novena. However, upon reading that NO feast can be held in place of 'Low Sunday' no matter how great we are told it is, I began to wonder if this novena was all that good. NOTE!: all of these intentions which are prayed for during this novena are prayed for on Good Friday. Well, they USED to be. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the prayers for the conversion of the Jews are conveniently missing in the novena. The prayers during this novena are, basically, good. We desperately need to pray for all to convert; and come to the entire Truth, throughout the world.

I guess we are to accept them as they are, instead of fulfilling our Lord's command to convert them and everyone else on the planet. Maybe we should all get together and sing 'Everything's Beautiful'. Maybe this would satisfy our Lord?! The perpetrators will find out some day when they go before the Divine Judge as to whether they have served Him well or not. Final thoughts: GOOD LUCK WITH THAT!

Easter Saturday

The seventh day of the gladdest of weeks has risen upon us, bringing with it the memory of the Creator's rest, after the six days of creation. It also reminds us of that other rest, which this same God took in the tomb; like a warrior, who, when sure of the victory, calmly reposes before the final combat with the enemy. Our Jesus slept His rest in the sepulchre, after permitting death to vanquish Him: but when He awoke by His Resurrection, what a victory over the tyrant! Let us, today, visit this Holy Sepulchre and venerate it: it will speak to us of Him we love, and make or love the warmer. Here, we shall say to ourselves, here rested our dear Master, after He had died for us! Here was the scene of the glorious victory, when He arose again, and this, to, for us!

We think about this sepulchre today and every day, and the prayers for today sum it up for us.

Church of the Holy Sepulchre--Jerusalem


The CAPITULA:

O Christ, the Son of God, thou rest of our souls, Who didst observe the repose of the Sabbath by resting in the tomb, that thou, Who on this day didst heretofore rest from all the work of thy creation, mightest also on the same rest in the sepulchre; hereby truly keeping holy that day, whose evening is the beginning of our first day of the Sabbath, which is likewise the eighth day; that thou, Who commanded light to shine forth out of darkness, mightest, by thy Resurrection, appear in the flesh: so direct the course of our lives in the path of all holiness, that in these seven days of the world's duration, on each of which the Lamb is slain and the Pasch is celebrated for us, we may live in such wise as to secure our salvation, and may daily be found worthy to celebrate the true Pasch, pure from the leaven of malice: that thus, by a holiness pleasing to thee, we may so rest on this day from all our works, that we may deserve to receive the glory of the Resurrection, on the eighth, that is, the eternal day.


I also found in the propers of this day another hymn concerning the Holy Sepulchre, comparing it to the Virginal womb of our Blessed Mother:

Be glad, my soul, and sing the wonders of the glorious sepulchre, whence came thy Christ, as, heretofore, from the womb of His Virgin Mother. Thus was it foretold by the truthful prophets.

He was conceived in the pure womb of a Virgin Mother; so, too, He was buried in a tomb, wherein no other man had been placed; from both He comes the glorious Jesus, as Infant first, and then as man.

The Mother, after long ages of hope, brings Him forth created in mortal Flesh; the tomb, though none had hoped it, restores Him clad in immortality: Mary wrapped Him in swathing-bands; the sepulchre held Him in the winding-wheet.

He is born, for the world's salvation, from the womb of His Mother; He rises from the tomb, after our salvation has been wrought: the Mother nursed Him for the Cross; the tomb, for glory.

O thrice holy sanctuary! beautified with the Blood of the Lamb of God! let earth, and sea, and heaven, venerate thee. How strange to call that a sepulchre, whence life was born!

Glory and honour be, for ever, to the most high God! To the Father, Son, and Holy Paraclete, one praise and power, for everlasting ages. Amen.



And, lastly, let us turn to the Blessed Mother, for this is her day. Let us congratulate her upon the Resurrection of her divine Son, in the words of this devout sequence, taken from the ancient missals of the churches of Germany:

Give praise, O Mother, to thy risen Jesus, Who reigns triumphant over the prince of death. Cease thy mourning:for Jesus, the fruit of thy womb, is restored to life, and visits thee.

His death was thy cross; His Passion, the sword that cruelly pierced thy Heart: but now, sing a hymn of joy, and be glad, because of His Resurrection.

He was crucified; but now He is risen from the tomb, and has taken thee to His heavenly court: pray to Him for us, we beseech thee, that we may rise from our sins to everlasting joy. Amen.

Easter Friday

The following is totally from The Liturgical Year, by the Abbot Gueranger, which is from the 1920's, but published in 1949. This man has given us a treasury of devotions, as well as something for every day of the year. Even has the saints we honor on their days, according to the 'Old' calendar. This calendar has soooo much more than the 'new', and is a better way to learn about the Faith that comes to us from Jesus and the Apostles. All should try to get this 15 volume set, if at all possible. This Abbot has to be a saint, for he has given so much. Anyway, here goes:


'This is the sixth day of the creation. Upon it, the hand of the Son of God formed the body of man out of the slime of the earth, into which He breathed a living soul. This was the creature that was to be the King of the visible creation. A simple command of the divine Word had sufficed to call form the earth all the animals that live upon it; but when, towards the close of this great day, the Creator said: "Let us make man to Our image and likeness," He did more than merely command, He seems to have deliberated: He deigned to become the artificer of His work. Let us adore this His sovereign goodness towards our race, and ever gratefully honour the Friday of each week, as the day whereon the Son of God completed the work He began on the Sunday by the creation of Him Who was to be Master and Lord of the world. Nor is this the only mystery that should make Friday dear to us. It was on this same day that the divine Word, having taken upon Himself the flesh He Himself had made, died upon the Cross, that He might save His rebellious and lost creature man. O sacred day! Day that didst witness both our creation and our redemption! Thou speakest to us of the Son of God, and of His love for us, even more sweetly than of His power! Let us express all this by reciting the following devout prayer, which the Mozarabic Liturgy uses on the Friday of Easter Week:


CAPITULA (a collection of short, isolated statements of Doctrine organized by topic)

O God, Son of God, Who, in the sixth age of the world didst, by thy Blood, redeem man Whom thou hadst formed out of nothing, on the sixth day, and who, though created in goodness, fell into evil, but has now risen regenerated unto what is more perfect; grant that we may so truly prize the mystery of our redemption, that we may forever glory in thy death and Resurrection: and that thou, Who, in the time of our salvation, didst succour the world and conquer our death by thine own, mayst deliver us from the eternal damnation of the Judgement.



Today let us hearken to the Church of Armenia celebrating the Resurrection. (Let's also remember this area of the world during the strife which is occurring there these days) For thirteen centuries she has sung the following stanzas, which is from the Charagan, which is a hymn book. The sentiment is the same as we find expressed in other Liturgies; but there is, moreover, the style peculiar to the Armenian character. The reader will be pleased with the fragrance of antiquity which he will find in these verses, whose vigorous and solemn lyric beauty surpasses that of the liturgical compositions of the Greek Church.


Today, the immortal and heavenly Bridegroom rose again from the dead! To thee the glad tidings, O Church, His spouse on earth! Bless thy God, O Sion, with a joyous voice.

Today, the ineffable Light of light enlightened thy children. Be thou enlightened, O Jerusalem! for Christ, thy Light, has risen!

Today the darkness of ignorance is dispelled by the triple light: and the light of knowledge has risen upon thee, it is Christ rising again from the dead.

Today is our Pasch, by the sacrifice of Christ; let us keep the feast with gladness, being renewed from the oldness of sin: and let us say: Christ hath risen again from the dead!

Today a bright angel came down from heaven, struck the guards with fear, and said to the holy women: "Christ hath risen again from the dead!

Today the great tidings were given to our first parent, Adam: Arise, thou that sleepest! Christ, the God of our fathers, hath enlightened thee."

Today the tidings told by her daughters, who brought their perfumes to the tomb, sounded in the ears of Eve: "We have seen Him risen, Who is thy resurrection, Christ, the God of our fathers."

Today the angels came down from heaven, saying to men: "The Crucified hath risen, and hath raised you up with Himself."

Today, O Christ, by thy holy Resurrection, thou didst change the mournful Pasch of Israel into the Pasch that saves souls.

Today thou, O Lamb of God, didst give us thine own saving Blood for the blood of irrational lambs that were slain.

Today, in place of the ransom of the first-born, thou, the first-fruits of life among them that sleep, the first-born among the dead--didst redeem the captives.

Today the angels of heaven rejoice together with men; and coming down from heaven, they say to the world: "Be glad! today Christ hath risen again from the dead!"

Today the angel that sat upon the rock and kept guard spoke with a loud voice to the holy women that had come with their spices, and bade them be messengers to the disciples: "Be glad! today Christ hath risen again from the dead!

Today, he that is the Rock of Faith, and John, the beloved, ran to Jesus' sepulchre, and said, when they saw it: "Christ hath risen again form the dead!"

Today let us also be bright in the joy of this feast. God is reconciled with us; let us embrace each other with love, and say with one voice: "Christ hath risen again from the dead!"'