Motherhood Of The Blessed Virgin Mary Feast Day - 11 October

A brief history of the feast day, also called the Feast of the Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary [1]:

This feast, observed throughout the Western Church on October 11, honor Mary as Mother of God, and bears the same sort of relation to the Annunciation and to Christmas as does the Synaxis of Our Lady in the Byzantine rite. It was long known in Portugal and elsewhere, but was finally instituted in 1931 by Pope Pius XI in view of the fifteenth centenary of the Council of Ephesus.

The following "is a Marian hymn used at Vespers from about the eighth century" [2], Ave Maria Stella, in English and in Latin, quoted without paragraph numbers [3]:

[English]

Ave, Star of Ocean,

Child Divine who barest,

Mother, Ever-Virgin,

Heaven’s Portal fairest.

Taking that sweet Ave

Erst by Gabriel spoken,

Eva’s name reversing,

Be of peace the token.

Break the sinners’ fetters,

Light to blind restoring,

All our ills dispelling,

Every boon imploring.

Show thyself a Mother

In thy supplication;

He will hear who chose thee

At His Incarnation.

Maid all maids excelling,

Passing meek and lowly,

Win for sinners pardon,

Make us chaste and holy.

As we onward journey

Aid our weak endeavor,

Till we gaze on Jesus

And rejoice forever.

Father, Son, and Spirit,

Three in One confessing,

Give we equal glory

Equal praise and blessing.

 

[Latin] 

Ave maris stella,

Dei Mater alma,

Atque semper Virgo,

Felix cœli porta.

Sumens illud Ave

Gabrielis ore,

Funda nos in pace,

Mutans Hevæ nomen.

Solve vincla reis,

Profer lumen cæcis,

Mala nostra pelle,

Bona cuncta posce.

Monstra te esse matrem,

Sumat per te preces,

Qui pro nobis natus,

Tulit esse tuus.

Virgo singularis,

Inter omnes mitis,

Nos culpis solutos

Mites fac et castos.

Vitam præsta puram,

Iter para tutum,

Ut videntes Jesum,

Semper collætemur.

Sit laus Deo Patri,

Summo Christo decus,

Spiritui sancto,

Tribus honor unus.

[1] https://reginamag.com/feast-of-the-maternity-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary/

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ave_maris_stella, quoted without hyperlinks.

[3] http://cathcorn.org/hotbam/149.html, chanted in Latin "by the Benedictine Monks of the Abbey at Ganagobie" on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlFaO_PdYE8

Our Lady Of The Holy Rosary Feast Day - 7 October

 A brief history of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Feast Day, quoted from Wikipedia [1]:

In 1571, Pope Pius V organized a coalition of forces from Spain and smaller Christian kingdoms, republics and military orders, to rescue Christian outposts in Cyprus, particularly the Venetian outpost at Famagusta which, however, surrendered after a long siege on August 1 before the Christian forces set sail. On October 7, 1571, the Holy League, a coalition of southern European Catholic maritime states, sailed from Messina, Sicily, and met a powerful Ottoman fleet in the Battle of Lepanto. Knowing that the Christian forces were at a distinct materiel disadvantage, the holy pontiff, Pope Pius V, called for all of Europe to pray the Rosary for victory, and led a rosary procession in Rome.

After about five hours of fighting on the northern edge of the Gulf of Corinth, off western Greece, the combined navies of the Papal States, Venice and Spain managed to stop the Ottoman navy, slowing the Ottoman advance to the west and denying them access to the Atlantic Ocean and the Americas.

On praying the Holy Rosary, with reference to the Luminous Mysteries [2]:

It is widely reported that Pope John Paul added the Luminous Mysteries in 2002 in his APOSTOLIC LETTER Rosarium Virginis Mariae, and this is a true statement. What is not widely reported is that it is completely optional. Not only that, it is up to the individuals whether they wish to include the added mysteries or not. Here is the quote from section 19 where he adds the proposed addition; “I believe, however, that to bring out fully the Christological depth of the Rosary it would be suitable to make an addition to the traditional pattern which, while left to the freedom of individuals and communities, could broaden it to include the mysteries of Christ’s public ministry between his Baptism and his Passion.”  [Emphasis  original.]

"The Pope was not speaking “Ex Cathedra”, this is not a Dogmatic Constitution, it was a recommendation." [3]

Given the choice, how should one decide, meditate on the Luminous Mysteries on Thursdays or on the Joyful Mysteries as many saints had done before they were added in 2002?

It probably does not matter so long as one prays the rosary attentively (easier said than done), without being distracted by a wandering mind, or having one that has gone blank and numb from an unthinking recitation of prayers.

So how did the Luminous Mysteries first come about?  Quoted in part from Aleteia [4]:

What’s interesting is that while [John Paul II] never stated publicly the source for this inspiration, a year earlier in 2001 John Paul II beatified Saint George Preca, a Carmelite priest from Malta. The Vatican biography notes how Preca, “In 1957 … suggested the use of five ‘Mysteries of Light’ for the private recitation of the Rosary.”

According to the Carmelites, Preca’s own division of the “Mysteries of Light” bears a remarkable similarity to John Paul II’s.

1) After Jesus was baptized in the Jordan, he was taken to the desert.

2) Jesus reveals himself as true God by word and miracles.

3) Jesus teaches the Beatitudes on the mountain.

4) Jesus is transfigured on the mountain.

5) Jesus takes his last supper with the Apostles.

The traditional mysteries of the Holy Rosary are the Joyful Mysteries, the Sorrowful Mysteries and the Glorious Mysteries.  Days of praying [5]:

Sunday

In Advent, Christmas, and Time After Epiphany: The Joyful Mysteries

In Septuagesima and Lent: The Sorrowful Mysteries

In Easter and Time After Pentecost: The Glorious Mysteries

In Advent, Christmas: The Joyful Mysteries

In Lent: The Sorrowful Mysteries

In Easter and Ordinary Time: The Glorious Mysteries

Monday: The Joyful Mysteries

Tuesday:  The Sorrowful Mysteries

Wednesday:  The Glorious Mysteries

Thursday: The Joyful Mysteries

Friday:  The Sorrowful Mysteries

Saturday: The Glorious Mysteries

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_of_the_Rosary, quoted without hyperlinks and references.

[2] https://joao.machado-family.com/2013/12/22/holy-rosary-traditional-form-without-luminous-mysteries/, from paragraph 3, quoted without hyperlink.

[3] Ibid.

[4] https://aleteia.org/2017/05/11/pope-john-paul-ii-wasnt-the-first-to-propose-luminous-mysteries-for-the-rosary/

[5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosary

San Francesco d'Assisi Feast Day - 4 October

Copied from book cited below [1]:

    One winter his holy little body was covered with only a single tunic.  It was mended with cheap patches.  His guardian, who was also his companion, acquired a piece of fox fur and brought it to him, saying: "Father, you're suffering illness in your spleen and stomach; so I'm begging your charity in the Lord to allow this skin to be sewn inside you tunic.  And if you don't want the whole skin, at least take some of it to cover your stomach."  The blessed Francis answered him: "If you want me to put up with this under my tunic, have another piece of the same size sewn on the outside, telling people that a piece of fur is hidden underneath."  The brother heard, but did not agree; he insisted, but got nowhere.  At last his guardian gave in, and one piece was sewn on top of the other, so that Francis should not appear differently on the outside than he was on the inside.

Oh, the same in word and in life!

The same outside and inside!

The same as subject and as prelate!

You, who would always boast in the Lord,

loved nothing of outward glory,

nothing of personal glory!

But, please I do not wish to offend

those covered in furs,

if I say: "sin for skin!"

After all,

we know those stripped of innocence

needed tunics made of skins!

Separately, GMA News Online  in the Philippines posted ten photographs in an article entitled Pets receive blessing via drive-thru ahead of Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, World Animal Day.  Here is the link:

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/hobbiesandactivities/758336/pets-receive-blessing-via-drive-thru-ahead-of-feast-of-st-francis-of-assisi-world-animal-d/story/

[1] Armstrong, Regis J., O.F.M. Cap.(2000) Francis of Assisi, Early Documents: Volume II, The Founder.  NY: New City Press.  Pages 332-3, Chapter XCIII, second paragraph and poem, copied without emphasis in bold and in italics.

Feast Of Sainte Thérèse de Lisieux - 3 October (Pre-1969 Roman Calendar)

Sainte Thérèse de Lisieux's "feast day in the General Roman Calendar was 3 October from 1927 until it was moved in 1969 to 1 October." [1]

The explanation for the change of feast day from 3 October to 1 October was provided by littleflower.org  [2]:

The Roman Catholic Church celebrates the feast of St. Therese, the Little Flower, on October 1st each year. This date was chosen because Therese died on September 30th. Following the ancient custom of celebrating their entrance into heaven the next day, October 1st was chosen as the day to celebrate Therese's life and eternity. Some people may remember that her feast day was previously October 3rd. That date was established for several reasons, including a packed liturgical calendar. In the liturgical renewal of the 1970's, when the calendar of saints was updated and refined, St. Therese's feast was properly moved to the more appropriate October 1st date. It is interesting to note that St. Therese's home Church in France celebrates her feast day on the last Saturday of September, no matter what the date.

"[Thérèse]'s spirituality is simple and she calls it her 'little way.' She believed and taught us that life presents enough challenges and opportunities for grace. She teaches us that God is everywhere - in every situation and person - and in the ordinary, simple details of life." [3]

"Even in prayer, [Thérèse] teaches simplicity - talking to God and Jesus in direct, personal and heartfelt ways. She did not like long prayers. She fell asleep during community prayer. She disliked the rosary. She prayed from her heart as a child speaks honestly and trustingly to a parent they love. God calls us to respond to Divine Love in a childlike relationship of love, trust and bold confidence to "Abba" (which literally means 'Dad'), and by doing the simple things for others, well and with love." [Emphasis  added.] [4]

It is interesting to note that a nun falling asleep during community prayer and disliking the rosary can still be canonized a saint!  According to Dynamic Catholic [5], "the full development of the Hail Mary prayer, the term “rosary” was finally given in 1597[,]" 276 years before Thérèse's birth on January 2, 1873. [6]

One of Sainte Thérèse de Lisieux's quotes [7]:

"What a comfort it is, this way of love! You may stumble on it, you may fail to correspond with grace given, but always love knows how to make the best of everything; whatever offends our Lord is burnt up in its fire, and nothing is left but a humble, absorbing peace deep down in the heart." (Story of a Soul, Ms. A., Knox translation). 

Was the Lord offended by Thérèse's dislike of the rosary and her falling asleep during community prayer?  According to Sainte Thérèse de Lisieux, it does not matter for "whatever offends our Lord is burnt up in its fire, and nothing is left but a humble, absorbing peace deep down in the heart."  One can only hope that all the things that one thinks, says and does often and repeatedly throughout life that displeases God will be incinerated in the Lord's fire, leaving in one's heart a humble and absorbing peace that will last through eternity.

"[Thérèse] believed and taught that 'everything is grace' – God’s face and presence could be experienced in every person and situation of our lives, if we just attend with love and expectancy." [8]

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thérèse_of_Lisieux

[2] https://www.littleflower.org/therese/st-therese-faqs/#when-is-her-feast-day

[3] https://www.littleflower.org/therese/st-therese-faqs/#what-is-meant-by-her-little-way

[4] Ibid.

[5] https://dynamiccatholic.com/rosary/history-of-the-rosary

[6] https://www.littleflower.org/therese/life-story/important-dates-in-the-life-of-st-therese/

[7] https://www.littleflower.org/therese/reflections/st-therese-of-lisieux-quotations/

[8] https://saint-therese.org/about-therese/

A Lesson In Humility

By now, the world already knows about Donald Trump, current president of the United States, has tested positive for Covid-19. [1]  "Trump’s diagnosis, which came hours after he predicted that 'the end of the pandemic is in sight.'" [2]

"American voters view Donald Trump as having traits associated with sadistic personality disorder and narcissistic personality disorder, according to new research published in Clinical Psychological Science. The study found that even those who personally voted for Trump perceived him as having a highly disordered personality." [3]

Narcissism is not consonant with the virtue of humility.  Many leaders, regardless of title, religious and non-religious, in both secular and non-secular worlds seem to have quite a bit of narcissism and an excess of pride.  They tend to have an abundance of confidence in themselves without the slightest degree of compunction, and without giving the slightest thought of the need to perform periodic examinations of conscience, thereby putting themselves above God.  

The time when the proudest people are most humbled is when they meet death, when they see their power extinguish before their eyes.  The lucky ones get to have a taste of humility when illness befall them when they can no longer expect to function as they would normally.  Should they recover, it will be difficult for many of them to forget about their brush with death.  One could only hope that such an experience would give them the opportunity to repent and to humble themselves before God, while reminding themselves these words of Christ [4]:

“Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?”

Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. 

[1] https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/10/trump-quarantines-after-aide-hicks-tests-positive-for-covid.html

[2] Ibid., quoted without hyperlink.

[3] https://www.psypost.org/2020/04/trump-perceived-as-abnormally-sadistic-and-narcissistic-by-both-conservatives-and-liberals-study-finds-56646, quoted without hyperlink.

[4] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+19%3A10-11&version=NIV, quoted in part without paragraph numbers.

The Feast Of The Holy Guardian Angels - 2 October

From Exodus 23:20 [1]:

Behold I will send my angel, who shall go before thee, and keep thee in thy journey, and bring thee into the place that I have prepared.

"Catholics set up altars in honor of guardian angels as early as the 4th Century, and local celebrations of a feast in honor of guardian angels go back to the 11th Century." ... "The feast was first kept by the Franciscan order in 1500." [2]  "In 1615, Pope Paul V added it to the Roman calendar." [3]

[1] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+23%3A20&version=DRA

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorial_of_the_Holy_Guardian_Angels, quoted without references.

[3] https://www.franciscanmedia.org/feasaint-of-the-guardian-angels/

Notable Feast Days In October 2020

The following are selected notable feast days in October:

2  October - The Holy Guardian Angels

3  October - Saint Teresa Of The Child Jesus (Sainte Thérèse de Lisieux) - pre-1969 Roman Calendar, 1 October starting in 1969

4  October - Saint Francis of Assisi (San Francesco d'Assisi)

                 

7  October - Our Lady Of The Holy Rosary

11  October - Motherhood Of The Blessed Virgin Mary

 

15  October - Saint Teresa of Avila (Sainte Thérèse d'Avila)

17  October - Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque (Sainte Marguerite-Marie Alacoque)

18  October - Saint Luke The Evangelist

24  October - Saint Raphael The Archangel

28  October - Saint Simon The Apostle and Saint Jude The Apostle

25  October - Feast Of The Kingship Of Our Lord Jesus Christ - (the last Sunday of October - extraordinary form - Roman Catholic Daily Missal 1962)