St. Gregory I, Pope, Confessor, and Doctor of the Church

St. Gregory the Great transformed his house into a monastery and founded many others where the rule of St. Benedict was strictly observed. Elected in turn Abbot, Cardinal, and Supreme Pontiff, he was one of the greatest popes of the Middle Ages. To him belongs the honor of having collected those harmonious melodies called the "Gregorian Chant." St. Gregory is one of the four great Latin doctors. He died in 604.

We love you, Mom (Nana)!

Sensus Traditionis

Today's Featured Catholic Website is Sensus Traditionis: A Website Dedicated to the Sacred Tradition of the Roman Catholic Church

"This website is dedicated to the defense of the orthodox Catholic faith as well as a promotion of serious academic thought in the areas of Catholic theology and philosophy. One of the tragedies of modern Catholic thought is that it lacks the depth given by previous generations of the same issues. It is for this reason that this website was started, i.e. to aid the Church in recapturing the intellectual rigor it once had. The heresy of modernism has begun affecting the members of the Church by making them content with a superficial approach to and an explanation of their religion. One of the ways to combat this problem in the Church is to promote studies that draw the students into the depth and richness which Catholic thought can provide. However, none of that is possible without a deep sense of our indebtedness to tradition as well as a strong developed sense of the value of the those traditions." (Mission Statement.)

Sensus Traditionis contains, among other things, a handful of excellent articles (here) by Fr. Chad Ripperger, FSSP. Titles include: The Spirituality of the Ancient Rite of Mass, Modern Philosophy and the Liturgical Development, Operative Points of View, The Natural Law Basis of Home Schooling, Christian Art and Culture, Modern Man's Superiority Complex, etc.

The Forty Holy Martyrs

Under Licinius, forty soldiers of the garrison of Sebaste (Armenia) were exposed on a frozen pond for refusing to sacrifice to idols. All persevered but one, whose courage failed him, and he perished in a bath of tepid water prepared for him. But their guard, inspired by grace, took his place and died with them, so there were forty martyrs still. They suffered in 320.

As always we have linked the pictures of our trip on the sidebar, or you can just follow the links here: Paris; Chartres. We have also finished all the individual posts for each day, just scroll down to March 4-7.

Passion Sunday

The Mass of Passion Sunday is full of the thought of the Passion of Jesus and of the infidelity of the Jews, whose place in the kingdom of God was taken by those who were baptized, that is to say by Christians. From this day until Maundy Thursday, in Masses of the Season the Psalm Judica me is omitted on Sundays and ferias, as also the Gloria Patri at the Introit and at the Lavabo; but on feasts they are said as usual.

St. John of God, Confessor

After a stormy youth, he listened to the word of God and lived thenceforward a penitential life. He founded the Order of the "Brothers Hospitallers of St. John of God," who devote themselves to the care of sick bodies and souls. He died in 1550.

Well, we're back. It was a lovely week, and tomorrow we'll start uploading some pictures. St. John of God, by the way, is the patron saint of nurses, and hence one of Lisa's special patrons. The Catholic Encyclopedia has a good brief article.

St. Thomas Aquinas, Confessor and Doctor of the Church

His undisputed mastery in scholastic theology gained him the title of "Angelic Doctor." He is one of the greatest glories of the Friars Preachers. Leo XIII declared him the patron of all Catholic Schools. He died in the Cistercian monastery of Fossa Nuova, on his way to the Council of Lyons, in 1274.

Friday was easily the best day we spent in Paris. We ate breakfast in a Cafe outside of Sacre-Coeur (pictured below), and then walked up Montmartre into the Basilica. It was built in fulfillment of a national vow to the Sacred Heart, taken after France was defeated in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870. The defeat was understood to be an act of divine judgment on the nation for its rebellion against Him and His Church known as the French Revolution.

COR JESU SACRATISSIMUM

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

On Fridays in Lent the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, in whose care is still preserved the Crown of Thorns brought to Paris by King St. Louis IX in the 13th century, carry in procession into Notre-Dame this most verered relic of the Passion of Christ. In the picture above the Holy Crown of our Lord is barely visible (due to the relative darkness of the Cathedral's interior). After the procession and public prayer, we were invited to kiss the reliquary in which the Crown is preserved.

Ss. Perpetua and Felicitas, Martyres

These two young mothers, the former a lady of high rank, the latter a slave, were arrested at Carthage with other Christians. They were condemned to the wild beasts and died finally by the sword in 202.

Thursday we caught the 9:00 train out of Paris to Chartres, about an hour away by train, in order to visit one of the foremost examples of Gothic architecture in all Europe: Notre-Dame de Chartres. Unfortunately there was some scaffolding erected around parts of the church outside, and it was rather dark on the inside, so the conditions were not very good for many great pictures. Nevertheless, we managed a few. One of the unique features of this church is the contrast offered by its two towers, the one pictured on the right was constructed earlier in the Romanesque style and the other later in the Gothic style.

The main reason why this particular church was constructed on such a grand scale was to accomodate the immense crowds of pilgrims coming to venerate the Veil of the Virgin, as we were also able to do.

Wednesday in Paris

Wednesday morning we headed first thing for the Louvre. The main entrance is actually through the glass pyramid in the middle of the courtyard of the former Tuileries Palace (now the Louvre). This palace was the scene of the merciless slaughter of the swiss guards loyal to King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette (after the swiss had reluctantly laid down their arms at the command of the king). In the glass pyramid is an elevator that takes one down into the main lobby of the Louvre.

Of the three wings, we visited only the Denon Wing, location of the painting and sculpture collections, including the Mona Lisa and a few others by Leonardo Da Vinci, and the famed Venus de Milo sculpture.

After the Louvre and a picnic lunch we walked along the river until the Eiffel Tower came into clear view. We are told that it is more impressive by night, but this is the closest we came to it.

The highlight of the day was our visit to the Chapel of the Miraculous Medal, the site of our Lady's apparitions to St. Catherine Laboure. The bodies of Ss. Louise de Marillac (co-foundress with St. Vincent De Paul of the Daughters of Charity) and Catherine Laboure are there, as is the heart of St. Vincent. The chapel was quite full of people praying, so we didn't take any pictures, but you can visit their website.

St. Casimir, Confessor

St. Casimir, son of King Casimir IV of Poland, led an angelic life and excelled in love for the poor and great devotion to the Blessed Virgin. He practised the most heroic virtues amid the dangers of his father's court. He is patron of Poland and Lithuania. He died in 1483.

Tuesday morning we awoke before 3:00 and took off from Vienna around 6:40. We landed in Paris around 8:40. After finding our Hotel we rushed right off to see the Sacre-Coeur Basilica (in retrospect a nap would have been a good idea). We should have learned - our first time in Rome Lisa fell asleep in St. Peter's Basilica. But I digress...

Pictures were not allowed inside the Basilica, out of respect for the exposed Blessed Sacrament. We did take some pictures of the outside, but it was a bit rainy, and the pictures from a few days later turned out better. If you can't wait, check out the official website.

Next, we rushed off to the Cathedral of Notre-Dame (again, the nap would have been the intelligent thing to do). And by "rushed off," of course, I mean "took the metro," which was almost always a harrowing experience. Let's just say, non-stroller friendly. But, Notre-Dame was actually even more impressive than either of us expected. Which brings us to our first picture: here we are.

After a long stroll through the heart of Paris we returned to the Ile de Cite to see La Sainte Chapelle - the private chapel built by King St. Louis IX in the 13th century to house relics of the Passion, chief amongst which was the Crown of Thorns. The two most beautiful chapels in the world are certainly this and the Sistine - the Sistine is a masterpiece of paint, La Sainte Chapelle of stained glass. Pictures fail to capture the beauty of either one.

We returned to the Hotel for a respite, but it was almost time to head for Mass already. It took a bit of looking to find the Parish of Saint-Eugene where the Traditional Latin Mass is offered daily, but we made it. We have no pictures of this fine church though, as we were there only in the evenings for Mass - and hence very little light inside.

Not looking forward...

...to waking up before 3:00 AM tomorrow. Itinerary: leave Gaming in school van at 3:30, arrive at Vienna airport around 5:00, take off for Paris at 6:40. Please pray for our safety, and for God's grace to be with us on our little pilgrimage.

Laetare Sunday

"Laetare, Rejoice," says the Introit. Laetare Sunday offers us a break in the midst of Lenten observance. We are soon to rise again with Jesus through confession and Easter Communion.

Random news items: yesterday there was a fierce storm that blew through; we're told it was actually dangerous in Vienna. Here it was just lots of strong wind, rain, and some hail... Both of our umbrellas are broken... Lisa and I finished reading together Anne Carroll's Christ and the Americas, a great high school level textbook on American history from an unapologetically Catholic viewpoint. Yes, that means that the author is biased, but with this difference: she has a bias in favor of objective truth and honesty. Not exactly a flaw... Maria is still very cute... Only 29 days left until Opening Day for the Tigers (who are undefeated so far in Spring Training)... Only 18 days until Will and Anna arrive here (we're all very excited!)...

March: Dedicated to St. Joseph

This year the Feast of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and Confessor (I Class) is moved to March 15 because March 19 falls within Holy Week. This means that the novena to St. Joseph also begins earlier, but I suddenly find myself wondering whether novenas are generally prayed on the nine days preceding the feast (in this case March 6-14), or is the feast itself the ninth day (in this case March 7-15)? The case of Pentecost, which I would take as the paradigmatic novena would seem to indicate the former. Does anyone know?

St. Joseph is among other things the patron Saint of a happy death. In bk. 5 ch. 4 of The Mystical City of God (containing the private revelations granted to Venerable Mary of Agreda), the "Happy Death of St. Joseph" is spoken of at length. An excerpt:

In his ecstasy he [St. Joseph] clearly saw the Divine Essence, and manifested therein, all that he had believed by faith: the Incomprehensible Divinity, the Mystery of Incarnation and Redemption, the Militant Church with all its Sacraments and Mysteries.

The Blessed Trinity commissioned and assigned him as the messenger of our Savior to the holy Patriarchs and Prophets of Limbo and commanded him to prepare them for their issuing forth from this bosom of Abraham to eternal rest and happiness.

All this Most Holy Mary saw reflected in the soul of her Divine Son together with all the other Mysteries, just as they had been made known to her beloved spouse, and she offered her sincerest thanks for all this to her Lord.

When Saint Joseph issued from this ecstasy his face shone with wonderful splendor and his soul was entirely transformed by his vision of the Essence of God. He asked his blessed spouse to give him her benediction; but she requested her Divine Son to bless him in her stead, which He did.

Then the Great Queen of Humility, falling on her knees, besought Saint Joseph to bless her, as being her husband and head. Not without Divine impulse the man of God fulfilled this request for the consolation of his Most Prudent Spouse. She kissed the hands with which he blessed her and asked him to salute the just ones of Limbo in her name.

The most humble Joseph, sealing his life with an act of self-abasement, asked pardon of his Heavenly Spouse for all his deficiencies in her service and love and begged her to grant him her assistance and intercession in this hour of his passing away. The holy man also rendered humblest thanks to her Son for all the blessings of his life and especially for those received during this sickness. The last words Saint Joseph spoke to his Spouse were:

"Blessed art thou among all women and elect of all the creatures. Let Angels and men praise thee; let all the generations know, praise and exalt thy dignity; and may in thee be known, adored and exalted the name of the Most High through all the coming ages; may He be eternally praised for having created thee so pleasing in His eyes and in the sight of all the Blessed and in the sight of all the Blessed Spirits. I hope to enjoy thy sight in the Heavenly Fatherland."

Then this man of God, turning toward Christ, our Lord, in profoundest reverence, wished to kneel before Him. But the Sweetest Jesus, coming near, received him in His arms, where reclining his head upon them, Joseph said:

"My highest Lord and God, Son of the eternal Father, Creator and Redeemer of the world, give Thy blessing to Thy servant and the works of Thy hand; pardon, O Most merciful King, the faults which I have committed in Thy service and intercourse. I extol and magnify Thee and render eternal and heartfelt thanks to Thee for having, in Thy ineffable condescension, chosen me to be the spouse of Thy true Mother; let Thy greatness and glory be my thanksgiving for all eternity."

The Redeemer of the world gave him the benediction saying:

"My father, rest in peace and in the grace of My Eternal Father and Mine; and to the Prophets and Saints, who await thee in Limbo, bring the joyful news of the approach of their redemption."

At this word of Jesus, and reclining in His arms, the fortunate Saint Joseph expired and the Lord Himself closed his eyes.

At the same time the multitude of Angels, who attended upon their King and Queen, intoned hymns of praise in loud and harmonious voices. By command of the Lord they carried his most holy soul to the gathering place of the Patriarchs and Prophets, where it was immediately recognized by all as clothed in the splendors of incomparable grace, as the putative father and intimate friend of the Redeemer, worthy of highest veneration.

Conformably to the will and mandate of the Lord his arrival spread inutterable joy in this countless gathering of the saints by the announcement of their speedy rescue.