Notre Dame de Rouen. The façade of the Gothic Church in France. Photographer: Hippo1947. Licence: SHUTTERSTOCK.

Saturday 31 October 2015

First Vespers For The Feast Of All Saints.


Text and Illustrations taken from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless otherwise stated.


The Church Triumphant.
The Church Militant.
The Church Suffering.

Illustration taken from UNA VOCE OF ORANGE COUNTY
who reproduce Text and Illustrations from The Saint Andrew's Daily Missal, 1952 Edition,
with the kind permission of ST. BONAVENTURE PUBLICATIONS

Artist: Rene de Cramer.
“Copyright Brunelmar/Ghent/Belgium”.
Used with Permission.




First Vespers
for The Feast of All Saints.
Available on YouTube at


[Editor: The following paragraph is taken from "The Liturgical Year", by Abbot Guéranger, O.S.B.]

FIRST VESPERS FOR THE FEAST OF ALL SAINTS.

The bells ring out as joyously as on the brightest days. They announce the great Solemnity of the closing Cycle: the Feast which shows us time stamped with the impress of eternity, and God taking possession of the declining year and gathering in its harvest. At the sound of their triumphant and harmonious peals, the Church, prostrate and Fasting since morning, raises her brow to the light. Guided by Saint John, she penetrates the secrets of Heaven; and the words of The Beloved Disciple, uttered by her lips, assume a tone of incomparable enthusiasm. This Feast is truly The Triumph of her motherhood; for the great crowd of the Blessed, before the Throne of The Lamb, are the sons and daughters she alone has given to The Lord.


Psalm CIX: Dixit Dominus.

This is one of the Messianic Psalms. The Messias sits at the Right Hand of The Father. He is The Son of God, The Priest of The Most High, The King Triumphant.


Psalm CX: Confitebor Tibi.

The Prophet sings the wonders worked by God for His people during the exit from Egypt and at Mount Sinai. This is a figure of what God does for The Church.


Psalm CXI: Beatus Vir.

The Just Man is happy because he follows the Commandments of God; great will be his reward in Heaven.


Psalm CXII: Laudate Pueri.

This Psalm is the beginning of the Hallel, which the Jews sang especially at Easter, while eating the Paschal Lamb.


Psalm CXVI: Laudate Dominum.

The Power of God has been made manifest: Ours the duty of praising it.




Vespers.
All-Night Vigil.
By 
Serge Rachmaninoff.
Available on YouTube at


The All-Night Vigil (Russian: Всенощное бдение, Vsenoshchnoe bdenie), Opus 37, is an a cappella choral composition by Sergei Rachmaninoff, written and premiered in 1915. It consists of settings of Texts taken from The Russian Orthodox All-Night Vigil Ceremony.
It has been praised as Rachmaninoff's finest achievement and "the greatest musical achievement of The Russian Orthodox Church". It was one of Rachmaninoff's two favourite compositions, along with The Bells, and the composer requested that one of its movements (the fifth) be sung at his funeral. The title of the work is often translated as simply "Vespers", which is both literally and conceptually incorrect as applied to the entire work: only the first six of its fifteen movements set Texts from The Russian Orthodox Canonical Hour of Vespers.





Chapter: Apocalypse vii. 2-3.

Behold, I, John, saw another Angel ascending from the rising of the sun, having the sign of The Living God; and he cried with a loud voice to the four Angels to whom it was given to hurt the Earth and the sea, saying: Hurt not the Earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we sign the servants of our God in their foreheads.


Hymn (Eighth Tone).

Rabanus Maurus, Abbot of Fulda and Archbishop of Mayence, is supposed to be the author of the following Hymn. The perfidious nation, whose expulsion from Christian lands is prayed for, was, in the 9th-Century, the race of infidel Normans, who filled the empire with slaughter and ruin under Charlemagne's weak successors. The striking conversion of these savage destroyers was the answer of the Saints. May they ever hear the Church's Prayers in a like manner, enlighten those who persecute her without knowing her, and make of them her firmest supporters. [Editor: This paragraph is taken from The Liturgical Year, by Abbot Guéranger, O.S.B.]

Placare Christe servulis, 
Quibus Patris clementiam, 
Tuae ad tribunal gratiae, 
Patrona Virgo postulat . . .

O Christ, Thy guilty people spare,
Lo, bending at Thy gracious throne,
Thy Virgin Mother pours her Prayer,
Imploring pardon for her own . . .





The Magnificat
at Solemn Tridentine Vespers.
CIEL Conference,
Merton College,
Oxford,
England.
October 2006.
Available on YouTube at


Antiphon at The Magnificat.

All The Choirs of Angels, all The Ranks of The Saints, receive, in The Magnificat Antiphon, the homage of The Church's Prayer; and all will join in praising The Queen of Heaven and Earth, by singing her own glorious Canticle. [Editor: This paragraph is taken from The Liturgical Year, by Abbot Guéranger, O.S.B.]

Angeli, Archangeli, Throni et Dominationes,
Principatus et Potestates, Virtutes caelorum,
Cherubim atque Seraphim, Patriarchae et Prophetae,
sancti legis Doctores, Apostoli, omnes Christi Martyres,
sancti Confessores, Virgines Domini, Anachoritae
Sanctique omnes, intercedite pro nobis.


Canticle of The Blessed Virgin Mary: Luke i. 46-53.

Mary's answer to her cousin, Elizabeth, who hails her as The Mother of God, Blessed among women.
The Church sings The Canticle of Mary, The Magnificat, in which are celebrated The Divine Maternity and all its consequent Blessings. This exquisite Canticle is an essential part of The Office of Vespers. It is The Evening Incense, just as The Canticle "Benedictus", at Lauds, is that of the Morning Incense. [Editor: This paragraph is taken from The Liturgical Year, by Abbot Guéranger, O.S.B.]


Magnificat: Anima mea Dominum.
Et exultavit spiritus meus:
In Deo salutari meo . . .

My Soul doth magnify The Lord.
And my Spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour . . .






The Prayer.

Omnipotens sempiterne Deus,
qui nos omnium sanctorum tuorum
merita sub una tribuisti celebritate venerari . . .

O Almighty, Everlasting God,
Who hast granted us to Venerate
in one Solemnity the Merits of all Thy Saints . . .


BENEDICTION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT.

In his Motu Proprio, of 1903, Pope Saint Pius X insists on "the importance of The Solemn Chanting of Vespers, to which may be added, with advantage, a suitable Sermon and Benediction of The Blessed Sacrament." Compline, chanted in the evening, may also be followed by Benediction, this latter Devotion is thus brought into association with The Official Worship of The Church.

The Vigil Of All Saints. 31 October.


Text is taken from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless otherwise stated.

The Vigil of All Saints.
31 October.

Simple.

Violet Vestments.



Iona Abbey,
Scotland.
Image: SHUTTERSTOCK


The most illustrious Martyrs had at Rome, from the 4th-Century A.D., their Basilicas, where was Celebrated each Year the Anniversary of their death, or, rather, their birth in Heaven.

At that time, a number of Masses were prescribed without any fixed day in honour of those who had no public recognition. When, later, the names of Saints, who were not Martyrs, were introduced into The Ecclesiastical Calendar, a more Universal character was given to such Masses.

It is thus that, in the 8th-Century A.D., The Gregorian Sacramentary indicates among The Common Masses without a date: The Mass in Honour of All Saints.

Fixed in the following Century on 1 November, it became The Mass of All Saints' Day, for which we are this day prepared by a Vigil.

This explains why the Mass of The Vigil, as well as that of The Feast, contains extracts from The Masses of The Common of Martyrs.




The Church Triumphant.
The Church Militant.
The Church Suffering.

Illustration taken from UNA VOCE OF ORANGE COUNTY
who reproduce Text and Illustrations from 
Saint Andrew's Daily Missal, 1952 Edition,
with the kind permission of ST. BONAVENTURE PUBLICATIONS

Artist: Rene de Cramer.
“Copyright Brunelmar/Ghent/Belgium”.
Used with Permission.



The following Text is taken from THE SAINT LAWRENCE PRESS LTD

Vigil of All Saints

The Vigil of All Saints is of simple rite and its liturgical colour is violet. As with all simple rite Vigils the Office runs from Mattins to None.

At Mattins the invitatory, hymn, antiphons, psalms, versicle and response are from the Psalter for Friday. The lessons, proper to the Vigil, in the nocturn are a homily of St. Ambrose from the Common of Several Martyrs. The responsories are from the Friday of the fifth week of October. The Te Deum is not sung. The second scheme of Lauds for Friday is sung with psalms 50, 142, 84, Domine, audivi auditionem tuam, and 147. The Office hymn is Aeterna caeli gloria. After the antiphon on the Benedictus has been repeated the ferialpreces are sung, with the choir kneeling. After the collect of the Vigil the Suffrage of the Saints is omitted (c.f. pre-1911-13 praxis when the Suffrages were sung).

At Prime the psalm displaced from Lauds by the Miserere is added to the psalmody of the day: Pss. 21i, 21ii, 21iii & 98. Both the Dominical and ferial preces are sung, with the choir kneeling. At the other Hours the short series of ferial preces are sung, again with the choir kneeling, before the collect of the Vigil.

Mass is sung after None. Following the normal rules for Vigils, four candles are placed on the altar, in contrast with two on ordinary ferial days. The deacon and sub-deacon wear violet dalmatic and tunicle, not folded chasubles. The ferial tone is used for the orations and for the preface and Pater noster. There is no Gloria. The second collect is of the Holy Ghost, Deus,qui corda, the third collect Ecclesiae. As it is a 'kneeling day', the choir kneels for the prayers and from the Sanctus until Pax Domini. As the Gloria is not sung, the dismissal is Benedicamus Domino.

Vespers are first Vespers of the feast of All Saints with a corresponding colour change to festive white. The Office is proper and the antiphons Vidi turbam magnam etc are sung, doubled, with Pss. 109, 110, 111, 112 and 116. The Office hymn is Placare, Christe, servulis. At Compline the Dominical psalms are sung.

In the 'liturgical books of 1962' the Vigil of All Saints has been abolished. Today is kept as a IV class ferial 'green' day. Mass is of Pentecost XX, there is a single collect. Although the Gloria is not sung, Ite missa est is the dismissal.

Allegri's "Miserere". Performed By Peter Phillips And The Tallis Scholars.



Iona Abbey,
Scotland.
Image: SHUTTERSTOCK



Allegri's "Miserere",
by The Tallis Scholars.
Available on YouTube at



The Blessed Virgin Mary.
Image: SHUTTERSTOCK

Friday 30 October 2015

The Black Watch. "Nemo Me Impune Lacessit". "No-One Provokes Me With Impunity".


Text is from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia,
unless otherwise stated.




The Black Watch.
"Nemo Me Impune Lacessit".
"No-One Provokes Me With Impunity".
Badge and Tartan.
Original page was as follows:
Uploaded by GraemeLeggett on 15 May 2007.
(Wikipedia)



1st Battalion
The Black Watch
Pipe and Drums.
Available on YouTube at


The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland (3 SCOTS) is an Infantry Battalion of The Royal Regiment of Scotland.

Prior to 28 March 2006, The Black Watch was an Infantry Regiment – The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) from 1931 to 2006, and The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) from 1881 to 1931. Part of The Scottish Division, it was the Senior Regiment of Highlanders.

The source of The Regiment's name is uncertain. In 1725, following The Jacobite Rebellion of 1715, General George Wade was authorised by King George II to form six "Watch" Companies to patrol the Highlands of Scotland, three from Clan Campbell, one from Clan Fraser, one from Clan Munro and one from Clan Grant.




The Royal Highland Regiment (The Black Watch), at Fontenoy, 1745.
Signed and dated ' W. Skeoch Cumming/1894'.
Date: 1894.
Author: William Skeoch Cumming (1864-1929).
(Wikimedia Commons)



These were to be "employed in disarming The Highlanders, preventing depredations, bringing criminals to justice, and hindering rebels and attainted persons from inhabiting that part of the Kingdom." The force was known in Gaelic as Am Freiceadan Dubh, "The Dark" or "Black Watch".

The first Battle in which The Black Watch took part was The Battle of Fontenoy, in 1745, where The Regiment distinguished themselves with great bravery.

The Regiment was numbered The 43rd Regiment of Foot, in 1747, changing to The 42nd Regiment of Foot, in 1749. In 1751, The Regiment was titled "42nd (Highland) Regiment" and, in 1758, was permitted the honour to add "Royal" to its title. However, it continued to be known colloquially as "The Black Watch".




Jimmy Doig, Piper of The Angus Black Watch Association,
plays The Pipes at The Old and Saint Andrew's Church,
Montrose, Scotland, on 14 September 2008.
Photo: Frank G. Proctor, Glengate.



In 1881, when The 42nd Regiment of Foot amalgamated with The 73rd Regiment of Foot, the new Regiment was named "The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)". The Regiment adopted The Royal Motto of Scotland's Stewart Monarchs, Nemo me impune lacessit ("No-one provokes me with impunity").

The Black Watch was formed as part of The Childers Reforms, in 1881, when The 42nd (Royal Highland) Regiment of Foot (The Black Watch) was amalgamated with The 73rd (Perthshire) Regiment of Foot, to form two Battalions of the newly-named Black Watch (Royal Highlanders). The 42nd Regiment of Foot became the 1st Battalion Black Watch (Royal Highlanders), and the 73rd (Perthshire) Regiment of Foot became the 2nd Battalion Black Watch (Royal Highlanders).




The Black Watch
Homecoming Parade,
Dundee, Scotland.
20 April 2012.
Available on YouTube at


Recipients of The Victoria Cross.

All of The Black Watch Servicemen, listed below, were awarded The Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious Award for Gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth Forces.

Francis Edward Henry Farquharson, Indian Mutiny Lucknow, 9 March 1858.
John Simpson, Indian Mutiny Fort Ruhya, 15 April 1858.
Alexander Thompson, Indian Mutiny Fort Ruhya, 15 April 1858.
James Davis, Indian Mutiny Fort Ruhya, 15 April 1858.
Edward Spence, Indian Mutiny Fort Ruhya, 15 April 1858.
William Gardner, Indian Mutiny Bareilly, 5 May 1858.
Walter Cook, Indian Mutiny Sissaya Ghat, 15 January 1859.
Duncan Millar, Indian Mutiny Sissaya Ghat, 15 January 1859.
Samuel McGaw, Ashanti War Amoaful, 31 January 1874.
Thomas Edwards, Egyptian Campaigns Tamaai, 13 March 1884.
John Ripley, First World War Rue du Bois, 9 May 1915.
David Finlay, First World War Rue du Bois, 9 May 1915.
Charles Melvin, First World War Istabulat, 21 April 1917.
Lewis Pugh Evans, First World War Zonnebeke, 4 October 1917.




An 11-foot high bronze statue of a Black Watch Soldier, by William Birnie Rhind,
commemorates over 200 Members of The Black Watch Regiment 
who were killed 
or wounded in the South African War of 1900-02.
The Black Watch, the oldest Highland Regiment, was formed by General Wade in 1739 to police the Highlands at a time when many of the Clans harboured pro-Jacobite sympathies. Their name derived from the contrast of their dark green Tartan against the regular Red Tunics of The British Army.
The unveiling ceremony for the Memorial, planned for 25th May, 1910, was cancelled
because the Nation was still in Official Mourning after the death of King Edward VII.
Date: 9 September 2011.
Source: Own work.
Author: Kim Traynor.
(Wikimedia Commons)


Notable Members.

Robert Munro, the original Black Watch Commander, Colonel Sir Robert Munro.
Lachlan Macquarie, Governor of New South Wales, Australia, from 1810 to 1821. An inscription on his tomb in Scotland describes him as "The Father of Australia".
Bernard Fergusson, Baron Ballantrae, the last British-born Governor-General of New Zealand
Alfred Anderson, Scotland's last surviving World War I veteran (died 2005).
James Anton, Late-Quartermaster-Sergeant of 42nd Royal Highlander and author.
Jim Baxter, Scottish footballer.




Jim Baxter.
Scottish footballer.
A former Member of The Black Watch.
Illustration: DAILY RECORD



Fergus Bowes-Lyon, older brother of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.
Duncan Campbell, Scots nobleman and British Army officer.
Harold Davis, Scottish former professional football player.
Henry Davie, Liberal Member of Parliament for Haddington.
Adam Ferguson, Scottish philosopher, social scientist and historian.
Stewart Granger, actor.
J. B. S. Haldane, British-born geneticist and evolutionary biologist.
Christopher Logue, English poet.
Fulton Mackay, Scottish actor.




Fulton Mackay.
Played Prison Officer Mackay
in the TV Programme, "Porridge", to great acclaim.
A former Member of The Black Watch.
Illustration: AVELEYMAN.COM



Gillean Robert Maclaine, the 25th hereditary Chief of Clan Maclaine of Lochbuie.
Major Ian Stanhope Murray.
Eric Newby, English travel author.
Simon Ramsay, Conservative politician and colonial governor.
Neil Ritchie, British Army officer during the Second World War.
William Rose, screenwriter.




Portrait of The Viceroy of India,
Field-Marshal Sir Archibald Wavell.
1943.
A former Member of The Black Watch.
Source: IWMCollections IWM Photo No.: TR 841.
Post-Work: User:W.wolny.
(Wikimedia Commons)


Frederick Guthrie Tait, Scottish soldier and amateur golfer.
Rory Stewart, Scottish diplomat, Harvard Professor and Conservative MP.
Arthur Wauchope, British soldier and colonial administrator.
Archibald Wavell, British Field-Marshal during The Second World War.




The Black Watch
Pipe and Drums.
Available on YouTube at





Piper David Muir, George Glen, Donald McKenzie and Colour-Sergeant William Gardner,
42nd Royal Highlanders (forebears of The Black Watch)
grouped round a drinks table at Aldershot Garrison, England.
Photo: 1854-1856.
Source: This is photograph Q 71646 from the
collections 
Author: Cundall, Joseph and Howlett, Robert.
(Wikimedia Commons)

Next Time You're Decorating, Don't Try This On Your Living-Room. Or Your New Workshop. Or Your New Shed. Especially In Wales.



USS Mahomet (ID-3681) in port, circa November 1918.
The ship has a Dazzle Camouflage scheme that distorts the appearance of her bow.
This File: 1 March 2012.
Naval History and Heritage Command website.
Author: Unknown.
(Wikimedia Commons)



painted by Tobias Rehberger in 2014,
to commemorate the use of Dazzle Camouflage in World War I.
Photo: 13 February 2015.
Source: Own work.
Author: DieSwartzPunkt.
(Wikimedia Commons)



English: Dazzle Camouflage Ships, Liverpool, England.
Français: Camouflage en cale sèche à Liverpool.
Date: 1919.
Current location: English: National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Canada.
Français: Musée des beaux arts du Canada, Ottawa, Canada.
Source: Own work.
This File: 24 January 2009.
User: Mzajac.
(Wikimedia Commons)



Royal Mail Ship (RMS) Olympic,
Titanic's sister ship, in Dazzle Camouflage
while in service as a Troopship during World War I.
Date: World War I.
Author: Unknown.
(Wikimedia Commons)



displaying a coat of Dazzle Camouflage.
Date: 1918.
Source: File:HMS Argus (1917).jpg
Author: Unknown US Navy Personnel, 1918.
(Wikimedia Commons)


It is not inconceivable that all the above may appeal to certain skilled artists/engravers/sketchers, especially in Wales, who may wish to apply any of, or all, the above to their new workshop/shed.

In which case, nobody will be able to find it.

Thursday 29 October 2015

Einsiedeln Abbey, Switzerland.


Text and Illustrations from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia,
unless otherwise stated.





English: Einsiedeln Abbey Church,
Switzerland.
Switzerland.
Photo: 29 November 2010.
Source: Own work.
Author: Roland zh.
(Wikimedia Commons)





English: Interior of Einsiedeln Abbey, Switzerland.
Français: Vue Intérieure.
Photo: 8 August 2011.
Source: Own work.
Author: Caro.ray.
(Wikimedia Commons)



Einsiedeln Abbey is a Benedictine Monastery, in the Town of Einsiedeln, in the Canton of Schwyz, Switzerland. The Abbey is Dedicated to Our Lady of The Hermits, the Title being derived from the circumstances of its Foundation, for the first inhabitant of the region was Saint Meinrad, a Hermit. It is a Territorial Abbey, and, therefore, not part of a Diocese, which is subject to a Bishop. It has been a major resting point, on the Way of Saint James, for Centuries.

Saint Meinrad was educated at The Abbey School, on Reichenau Island, in Lake Constance, Switzerland, under his kinsmen, Abbot Hatto and Abbot Erlebald, where he became a Monk and was Ordained a Priest. After some years at Reichenau, and at a dependent Priory, on Lake Zurich, he embraced an eremitical life and established his Hermitage on the slopes of Etzel Mountain. He died on 21 January 861 A.D., at the hands of two robbers, who thought that the Hermit had some precious treasures, but, during the next eighty years, the place was never without one or more Hermits emulating Meinrad's example. One of them, named Eberhard, previously Provost of Strasbourg, erected, in 934 A.D., a Monastery and Church there, of which he became the first Abbot.




English: Nave of The Abbatial Cathedral Saint Mauritius, Einsiedeln,
Canton of Schwyz, Central Switzerland.
Deutsch: Langhaus der Abteikathedrale Sankt Mauritius, Einsiedeln,
Kanton Schwyz, Zentral-Schweiz.
Photo: 29 January 2013.
Source: Own work.
Author: Zairon.
(Wikimedia Commons)



The Church was miraculously Consecrated, so the legend runs, in 948 A.D., by Christ, Himself, assisted by The Four Evangelists, Saint Peter, and Saint Gregory the Great. This event was investigated and confirmed by Pope Leo VIII and subsequently ratified by many of his successors, the last ratification being by Pope Pius VI, in 1793, who confirmed the acts of all his predecessors.




English: Einsiedeln Abbey, Switzerland.
Einsiedeln, Switzerland.
Photo: 26 January 2013.
Source: Own work.
Author: Roland zh.
(Wikimedia Commons)



In 965 A.D., Abbot Gregory, the third Abbot of Einsiedeln, was made a Prince of The Holy Roman Empire, by Emperor Otto I, and his successors continued to enjoy the same dignity up to the cessation of The Empire at the beginning of the 19th-Century. In 1274, the Abbey, with its dependencies, was created an Independent Principality by Rudolf I of Germany, over which the Abbot exercised Temporal as well as Spiritual jurisdiction. It continued as an Independent Principality until 1798, the year of the French invasion. The Abbey is now what is termed an Abbey Nullius, the Abbot having quasi-episcopal authority over the territory where the Monastery is built.

For the learning and piety of its Monks, Einsiedeln Abbey has been famous for a thousand years, and many Saints and scholars have lived within its walls. The study of Letters, Printing, and Music have greatly flourished there, and the Abbey has contributed largely to the glory of The Benedictine Order. It is true that discipline declined somewhat in the 15th-Century and The Rule became relaxed, but Ludovicus II, a Monk of Saint Gall, who was Abbot of Einsiedeln 1526-1544, succeeded in restoring the stricter observance.




English: Choir of The Abbatial Cathedral Saint Mauritius, Einsiedeln,
Canton of Schwyz, Central Switzerland.
Deutsch: Chor der Abteikathedrale St. Mauritius, Einsiedeln,
Kanton Schwyz, Zentral-Schweiz.
Photo: 29 January 2013.
Source: Own work.
Author: Zairon.
(Wikimedia Commons)



In the 16th-Century, the religious disturbances, caused by the spread of The Protestant Reformation in Switzerland, were a source of trouble for some time. Zwingli, himself, was at Einsiedeln Abbey for a while, and used the opportunity for protesting against the famous Pilgrimages, but the storm passed over and the Abbey was left in peace. Abbot Augustine I (1600–1629) was the leader of the movement, which resulted in the erection of The Swiss Congregation of The Order of Saint Benedict, in 1602, and he also did much for the establishment of stricter observance in the Abbey and for the promotion of a high standard of scholarship and learning amongst his Monks.




Einsiedeln Abbey,
Switzerland.
Photo: 27 July 2006. 
Source: Own work.
Author: Markus Bernet.
(Wikimedia Commons)



The Pilgrimages, which have never ceased since the days of Saint Meinrad, have tended to make Einsiedeln Abbey the rival even of Rome, The Holy House of Loreto and Santiago de Compostela, serving as a major stopping point on The Way of Saint James leading there. Pilgrimages constitute one of the features for which the Abbey is chiefly celebrated. The Pilgrims number around one million, from all parts of Catholic Europe or even further. The statue of Our Lady, from the 15th-Century, enthroned in the little Chapel erected by Eberhard, is the object of their Devotion. This Chapel stands within the great Abbey Church, in much the same way as The Holy House at Loreto, encased in marble and elaborately decorated.

14 September and 13 October are the chief Pilgrimage days, the former being the Anniversary of the miraculous Consecration of Eberhard's Basilica, and the latter that of The Translation of Saint Meinrad's Relics from Reichenau Island to Einsiedeln Abbey, in 1039. The millennium of Saint Meinrad was kept there with great splendour in 1861, as well as that of the Benedictine Monastery, in 1934.

The great Church has been many times rebuilt, the last time by Abbot Maurus between 1704 and 1719. The last big renovation ended after more than twenty years in 1997. The Library contains nearly 250,000 volumes and many priceless Manuscripts. The work of the Monks is divided chiefly between Prayer, work and study. At Pilgrimage times, the number of Confessions heard is very large.




Saint Meinrad Arch-Abbey,
Indiana,
United States of America.
Photo: 23 June 2008.
Source: Own work.
Author: Chris Light.
Attribution: Chris Light at en.wikipedia
(Wikimedia Commons)



Saint Meinrad Arch-Abbey, in Spencer County, Indiana, USA, was Founded by Monks from Einsiedeln Abbey, Switzerland, on 21 March 1854, and is home to approximately ninety-eight Monks. It is one of only two Arch-Abbeys in The United States and one of only nine in the World.

The Benedictine Community, at Saint Meinrad Arch-Abbey, consists of men who dedicate their lives to Prayer and work. They gather in Community five times a day — for Morning Prayer, Mass, Noon Prayer, Evening Prayer and Compline — to Pray for The Church and the World. Guests often join the Monks in Prayer in the Arch-Abbey.

Gregorian Chant is sung in The Canonical Hours of The Monastic Office, primarily in Antiphons, used to sing The Psalms, in the Great Responsories of Matins, and the Short Responsories of The Lesser Hours and Compline. The Psalm Antiphons of The Office tend to be short and simple, especially compared to the complex Great Responsories. In addition, the Monks spend private time reading Spiritual and Religious material. They live under The Rule of Saint Benedict, which are the 6th-Century A.D., instructions for Community Living, written by Saint Benedict.




This is a representation of the Coat-of-Arms of
Saint Meinrad Arch-Abbey in Saint Meinrad,
Indiana, United States of America.
Blazon: Azure, a Ship with one Sail, Argent, the Mast terminating in a Cross, the Sail charged with the Greek letters Chi Rho, Sable, resting on a Sea Barry Wavy of six, Argent and Azure; on a Chief, Or, two Eagles (Ravens ?) rising to Dexter, Sable. [1].
Date: 6 August 2012.
Source: Own work.
Author: Alekjds.
(Wikimedia Commons)



In 2013, the Community numbered sixty Monks. Attached to the Abbey are a Seminary and a College for about 360 Pupils, who are partially taught by the Monks, who also provide Spiritual Direction for six Convents of Religious Sisters.

In 1854, when the Monastery was again facing suppression, a colony was sent to The United States, from Einsiedeln, to minister to the local German-speaking population and to develop a place of refuge, if needed. Daughter Houses began to be Founded, the first being Saint Meinrad, Indiana, and, in 1881, these were formed into the Swiss-American Congregation, which, in 2013, comprised fourteen Monasteries from Canada, in the North, down to Guatemala, ten of which were directly Founded from Einsiedeln. In The Fall of 1887, Einsiedeln Abbey sent eight Novices, and one Professed Monk, to Subiaco, Arkansas. The Reverend Father Gall D'Aujourd'hui, O.S.B., is considered to be the Co-Founder of Subiaco Abbey and Academy.




English: The Nave,
Einsiedeln Abbey,
Switzerland.
Photo: 26 January 2013.
Source: Own work.
Author: Roland zh.
(Wikimedia Commons)



One of Einsiedeln Abbey's Apostolates is a School (Gymnasium), for the seventh- to twelfth-grades, which has existed in its present form since 1848. It is the continuation of a tradition of education that dates to the Early-Middle-Ages. Its distinguished Alumni include: Gall Morel; Franz Fassbind; Philipp Etter; Hans Hürlimann, and his son, Thomas Hürlimann; Bruno Frick; and Anatole Taubman.

Located in separate Cantons, Einsiedeln Abbey and Fahr Abbey, a Community of Benedictine Nuns, form a Double Monastery, both under the authority of the Abbot of Einsiedeln.

Einsiedeln Abbey's Library contains the Versus de scachis, the earliest mention of Chess in Western Literature.




Einsiedeln Abbey,
Switzerland.
Photo: 27 May 2009.
Source: Own work.
Author: Roland zh.
(Wikimedia Commons)


Wednesday 28 October 2015

Saint Simon And Saint Jude. Apostles. Feast Day, Today, 28 October.


Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless otherwise stated.

Saint Simon and Saint Jude.
Apostles.
Feast Day 28 October.

Double of The Second-Class.

Red Vestments.



Saint Simon and Saint Jude.
Artist: Rene de Cramer.
“Copyright Brunelmar/Ghent/Belgium”.
Used with Permission.



Jude, or Thaddeus, had asked The Master, at The Last Supper, why He manifested Himself to The Apostles and not to the World. Jesus answered that He only manifested Himself to Souls who show Him their fidelity by observing His Commandments.

While Simon announced the Gospel to the peoples of The East, Jude wrote his catholic Epistle, which is still read in The West, and "which", declares Origen, "contains strong Doctrine in a few lines".

In the first part, he foretells the condemnation of heretics; he compares them to clouds without water, to Autumn trees without fruit, and to wandering stars, for whom profound darkness is apportioned for all Eternity. Like the rebel Angels, they shall burn for ever in avenging flames.




In the second part, he exhorts The Faithful not to be deceived by the seducers, but to remain firm in their Faith in God and Christ. [My well-beloved, rising like an edifice on the Foundation of your Holy Faith and Praying by The Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God." The Archangel Saint Michael, Saint Jude again declares, was established by The Most High as Guardian of The Tomb of Moses. Having, on this occasion, to fight with Satan, probably to hinder him taking possession of the Prophet's body, out of respect for his Angelical dignity, he left to God to condemn him Himself, saying: "May The Lord rebuke him."

The Church puts these very words on the lips of the Priests in the Prayers of Pope Leo XIII, which are said after Low Mass at the foot of the Altar.] (Editor: The Leonine Prayers.)

Mass: Mihi autem.




English: Church of Saint Simon and Saint Jude (Thaddeus),
Polski: Koścół z XIII wieku.
Date: 24 March 2006 (original upload date).
Source: Transferred from pl.wikipedia to Commons.
(Wikimedia Commons)



The following Text is from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia.

According to Tradition, Saint Jude suffered Martyrdom, about 65 A.D., in Beirut, in the Roman Province of Syria, together with the Apostle Simon the Zealot, with whom he is usually connected. The axe that he is often shown holding in pictures symbolizes the way in which he was killed.


Their Acts and Martyrdom were recorded in an Acts of Simon and Jude, that was among the collection of passions and legends traditionally associated with the legendary Abdias, Bishop of Babylon, and said to have been translated into Latin by his disciple, Tropaeus Africanus, according to the Golden Legend account of the Saints.

Sometime after his death, Saint Jude's body was brought from Beirut to Rome and placed in a Crypt in Saint Peter's Basilica, which was visited by many devotees. Now, his bones are in the Left Transept of Saint Peter's Basilica, under the main Altar of Saint Joseph, in one tomb with the remains of the Apostle Simon the Zealot.





Saint Thaddeus (Jude), Saint Sandukht, and other Christians in Sanatruk's prison.
This File: 14 December 2009.
User: 517design.
Source: Armenian History in Italian Art - Հայոց Պատմության Էջեր.
Author: Fusaro (19th-Century).
(Wikipedia)



THE SAINT ANDREW DAILY MISSAL



THE SAINT ANDREW DAILY MISSAL

Available (in U.K.) from

Available (in U.S.A.) from


Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...