Listen to Sung Masses and Vespers

Last night I had the opportunity to attend sung Vespers for the first Sunday of Advent along with exposition and benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at my parish. It was a very beautiful and prayerful service. I wish that more parishes made this available for the faithful to take part in the beautiful prayer of the Church.

Going right along with that, The New Liturgical Movement made a post today about the Monks of the Monastery of San Benedetto in Norcia, Italy who have begun recording their sung Masses and Vespers and made them available to listen to for free on the internet. Here is a portion from NLM explaining:

"The NLM and the Benedictine Monastery of San Benedetto in Norcia, Italy (the birthplace of St. Benedict) are pleased to jointly announce today that, as we begin the liturgical year, so too has a new initiative begun which will make available recordings of festal and Sunday Vespers each and every Sunday as well as for important feast days of the liturgical year.

"The monks are, of course, already making available audio recordings of their daily Mass and this addition now makes Sung Vespers, in a Benedictine form of the Divine Office, available to a wider public, thus facilitating greater access to sung Sunday and Festal Vespers than has heretofore been available to the general Catholic public -- not, mind you, as it might be sung by a professional choir of course, but rather Vespers sung from within the intimacy of the monastic community and as part of the day-to-day exercise of the monastic horarium.

"It is certainly my own hope that, in addition to providing people with the opportunity to listen in each week, on feast days, or with whatever frequency they may choose, this might further inspire people to take up the praying of the Divine Office as part of their own personal spiritual practice, and also encourage priests and parishes to make sung Sunday Vespers available as part of their own parish liturgical life -- both of which were encouraged by the Second Vatican Council."

On the right side of this page, you will see a picture that links to the Monks' site with their recordings. I have listened to a bit of what they have up there and it is beautiful. It is in Latin which may pose a problem for those attempting to pray along, unless a Latin-English prayer book is available. If not, however, it is still nice to listen to while you are working on your computer or as background while you pray Vespers yourself in English. Regardless of how you intend to use these recordings, they are beautiful and I would encourage all to give them a listen!

Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle

St. Matthew 4:18-22

"As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, 'Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.' At once they left their nets and followed him. He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him."

November 30th is the Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle. As the Gospel reading above states, Andrew was the brother of Simon Peter. After Pentecost, it is believed that Andrew spread the Gospel in Greece and was martyred, being crucified on an x-shaped cross. Read more about St. Andrew here and check out the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Amalfi, Italy that houses his relics.

St. John Lateran Virtual Tour

A few weeks back, I wrote a post about the Feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the Cathedral of the Bishop of Rome, the Pope. Well, I recently found out about a website on which you can take a virtual tour of this magnificent Church. Once on the site, you can choose various areas of the Church to explore. It takes a minute to load, but once it does, you can use your mouse to look all around. Be sure to take a look at some of the side chapels which are more beautiful than most churches I have ever visited. The site also provides beautiful music to listen to while you're looking around. Check it out, I think you'll be glad you did.

1st Vespers of Advent

I just wanted to write a quick post to let everyone know that Catholic TV is going to be airing the 1st vespers of Advent with Pope Benedict XVI from the Vatican on Sunday, November 29th at noon and 8pm. Here is their commercial for it:



The New Liturgical Movement already has pictures of the service on their site.

Tune in if you can to watch this beautiful beginning of Advent.

Sunday Inspiration - 1st Sunday of Advent

To You I lift up my soul;

In You, O my God, I trust;

Let me not be put to shame;

Let not my enemies exult over me.

No one who waits for You shall be put to shame.

Happy New Year!

This Sunday marks the beginning of Advent, the new liturgical year of the Church. We begin the year by focusing on the coming of our Lord, which we celebrate on Christmas. My prayer for Advent is that everyone will spend this season preparing their hearts room for Jesus Christ.

Of course, as I mentioned in recent posts, many people focus most of this season preparing for Christmas morning with gifts and decorations, neither of which are bad in themselves. But let us not forget about the King of kings, the Lord of lords for whom we are celebrating.

Along those ends, I recently found out about the organization called Advent Conspiracy, which advocates for a changing of priorities in our society during Advent and Christmas. They produced this excellent video which really speaks for itself. Check it out, maybe you'll be inspired:

I really like the idea about taking some money you save from buying less stuff and giving it to those in need. One organization that helps you do this is World Vision . They have tons of options for donating money. You can buy people farm animals, wells, school supplies, and many more things that will help those who are seriously in need. Consider making this a part of your Advent and Christmas traditions.

So as we wait for the coming of Our Lord, let us give thanks for all that we have, but not be so focused on what we do not have that we forget about those who have nothing.

I pray that God blesses everyone during this wonderful season.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Psalm 150

Hallelujah!

Praise God in his holy sanctuary;

give praise in the mighty dome of heaven.
Give praise for his mighty deeds,

praise him for his great majesty.
Give praise with blasts upon the horn,

praise him with harp and lyre.
Give praise with tambourines and dance,

praise him with flutes and strings.

Give praise with crashing cymbals,

praise him with sounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath give praise to the LORD!

Hallelujah!

Black Friday Rant

Well, today is Thanksgiving, a wonderful day in which we give thanks to God for all that we have. Unfortunately, for many this holiday has turned into a day of preparation for the intense first day of Christmas shopping known as Black Friday. It is called Black Friday because of the huge profits many retailers make, causing them to be "in the black," as opposed to "in the red." Most stores have big discounts on items which means that scores of people line up hours in advance hoping to be one of the lucky ones to partake in these deals. I have been seeing advertisements on televsion for the big sales that many stores are having. Just yesterday I saw an add for a clothing store that will be opening at 3am!

I see two problems with all of this material madness.

First, Thanksgiving is such a wonderful holiday we have in the U.S.A. and for many it has been pushed aside to make way for their desire to save a bit of money on Christmas gifts. Rather than being focused on what we can get for cheap, we should be giving thanks for what we have.

Second, because most of these stores that have deals on items only have a limited quantity, it has lead to some serious competition. As mentioned above, people camp out all night waiting for the store to open. Then, as we hear about in the news each year, as the store doors open there are mass stampedes with people being injured and sometimes killed and, of course, there are the disputes and fights over the items. Here is an article about last year's madness in which a Wal-Mart employee was crushed and two men shot each other at a toy store.

Personally, I think it's crazy. Christmas is a celebration of the life of Christ and the life that we all have through Him. Yet we're willing to kill to buy presents to celebrate that?

Please join me in praying that people will find the true meaning of Christmas and not be so focused on getting the best stuff for the best deals that they are willing to hurt others to get it.

More Inspiration - The Youth Bringing Christ to the Streets

I just saw this over at wdtprs and felt that it was more than worthy to be shared.

This weekend the National Catholic Youth Conference was held in Kansas City. There was a Eucharistic Procession of about 22,000 people. The pictures from this event are absolutely amazing and inspiring. I've posted a couple below. Click here to see them in a larger format (my little pictures do not do them justice) and to see other pictures from the event.

What an amazing witness! Imagine someone walking down the street, turning the corner, and seeing this! I would say this is a pretty powerful way to spread the Gospel!

Sunday Inspiration - Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King

This Sunday is the Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King. This is the last Sunday of the Church year and so we finish the year by celebrating the King of Kings. Next week we begin the season of Advent in which we prepare for the coming of Our Lord. Below is the Gospel reading for this feast, a quote from St. Augustine, and the Collect from the old Roman Missal. I pray that these will help direct all who read them to Our Lord and King, Jesus Christ.

St. John 18-33-37

Pilate said to Jesus,"Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered, "Do you say this on your own or have others told you about me?" Pilate answered, "I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?" Jesus answered, "My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here." So Pilate said to him, "Then you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice."

"For He Who on earth is called the King of the Jews, in heaven is Lord of the Angels"
-St. Augustine

Collect from the old Roman missal:

Almighty and eternal God,
who hast willed to restore all things in Thy beloved Son,
the King of the whole creation:
mercifully grant that all the peoples of the human family
which have been disunited by the wound of sin
may become subject to the most sweet dominion of Him:
Who liveth and reigneth, with Thee
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, world without end.
Amen.

It's Christmas!!! - oh wait...its not even Thanksgiving yet.

I love Christmas. I just want to say that before I start complaining about so much of the stuff that comes with Christmas. To me Christmas is a very important day because it is the day we celebrate the birth of Christ. I love the beautiful music, visiting with family, and decorating the tree.

I also love Thanksgiving. And the season of Advent. That is why I am very bothered by the fact that I began seeing Christmas decorations on display in stores, Christmas advertisements on television, and Christmas lights on houses in October! I just saw a commerical on television yesterday advertising a Christmas program for kids that is going to be aired this week!

I think in some ways people think this early celebration of Christmas somehow enhances the holiday. I, however, think that it takes away from it very much, not to mention taking away almost completely the celebration of Thanksgiving and the preparation for Christmas that is the season of Advent. It seems that Christmas would be so much more meaningful if we waited in anticipation until the actual day to celebrate. What a celebration it would be! I must admit that in the last few years I am pretty much sick of Christmas by the time it even gets here. Even though I try to avoid Christmas as much as I can until we get close to December 25th, it is almost impossible. I am bombarded with commercials, advertisements, and music. It's everywhere!

So here is my suggestion: Wait for Christmas. Give thanks and celebrate on Thanksgiving, rather than spending the day planning your 18-hour shopping trip on "Black Friday." Spend the beautiful season of Advent preparing for and anticipating the coming of Our Lord. And finally, celebrate Christmas...on December 25th!

Sunday Inspiration

In the Gospel according to St. Mark, we hear this account of Christ's death:

And at three o'clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" which is translated, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Some of the bystanders who heard it said, "Look, he is calling Elijah." One of them ran, soaked a sponge with wine, put it on a reed, and gave it to him to drink, saying, "Wait, let us see if Elijah comes to take him down." Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. The veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. When the centurion who stood facing him saw how he breathed his last he said, "Truly this man was the Son of God!"

This calls to mind the beautiful Psalm from which Jesus' words come. This Psalm has been an inspiration to me this week. It begins with the Psalmist seeming frightened and alone, but then, even with so many terrible things going on, he turns and praises God. I pray that this Psalm will also be an inspiration to you in troubled times.

Psalm 22

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
Why so far from my call for help, from my cries of anguish?
My God, I call by day, but you do not answer; by night, but I have no relief.
Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the glory of Israel.
In you our ancestors trusted; they trusted and you rescued them.
To you they cried out and they escaped; in you they trusted and were not disappointed.
But I am a worm, hardly human, scorned by everyone, despised by the people.
All who see me mock me; they curl their lips and jeer; they shake their heads at me:
"You relied on the LORD--let him deliver you; if he loves you, let him rescue you."
Yet you drew me forth from the womb, made me safe at my mother's breast.
Upon you I was thrust from the womb; since birth you are my God.
Do not stay far from me, for trouble is near, and there is no one to help.
Many bulls surround me; fierce bulls of Bashan encircle me.
They open their mouths against me, lions that rend and roar.
Like water my life drains away; all my bones grow soft.
My heart has become like wax, it melts away within me.
As dry as a potsherd is my throat; my tongue sticks to my palate;
you lay me in the dust of death.
Many dogs surround me; a pack of evildoers closes in on me.
So wasted are my hands and feet that I can count all my bones.
They stare at me and gloat; they divide my garments among them;
for my clothing they cast lots.
But you, LORD, do not stay far off; my strength, come quickly to help me.
Deliver me from the sword, my forlorn life from the teeth of the dog.
Save me from the lion's mouth, my poor life from the horns of wild bulls.
Then I will proclaim your name to the assembly; in the community I will praise you:
"You who fear the LORD, give praise!
All descendants of Jacob, give honor; show reverence, all descendants of Israel!
For God has not spurned or disdained the misery of this poor wretch,
Did not turn away from me, but heard me when I cried out.
I will offer praise in the great assembly;
my vows I will fulfill before those who fear him.
The poor will eat their fill; those who seek the LORD will offer praise.
May your hearts enjoy life forever!"
All the ends of the earth will worship and turn to the LORD;
All the families of nations will bow low before you.
For kingship belongs to the LORD, the ruler over the nations.
All who sleep in the earth will bow low before God;
All who have gone down into the dust will kneel in homage.
And I will live for the LORD; my descendants will serve you.
The generation to come will be told of the Lord,
that they may proclaim to a people yet unborn the deliverance you have brought.

Blog Update

My life has been quite hectic lately, hence the lack of recent posts. For those of you who read this blog, I will be trying to increase the frequency of posts soon. Please pray for me.

Dedication of St. John Lateran

Today is the feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the Cathedral of Rome. You can read about the history of this glorious church here and here. These pictures, from the latter of the previously mentioned links, show the beauty of this church, built under the Emperor Constantine.

The Nave



The High Altar



The Pope's Cathedra



Today's Opening Prayer from Mass:


God our Father,
from living stones, your chosen people,
you built an eternal temple to your glory.
Increase the spiritual gifts you have given to your Church,
so that your faithful people may continue to grow
into the new and eternal Jerusalem.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

Sunday Inspiration - Spreading the Gospel

In Friday's reading at Mass from St. Paul's letter to the Romans (15:14-21), the Apostle says:

"For I will not dare to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to lead the Gentiles to obedience by word and deed, by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum I have finished preaching the Gospel of Christ. Thus I aspire to proclaim the Gospel not where Christ has already been named, so that I do not build on another's foundation, but as it is written:
'Those who have never been told of him shall see, and those who have never heard of him shall understand.'"

The priest at my parish preached an inspiring homily about this reading on not being afraid to spread the Gospel. He reminded us that that is what we are called to do as Christians.

This video, that a friend of mine recently found and posted on Facebook, is a short film about bringing Christ to those who may not know Him. May it inspire all who watch it to do just that.

See more inspiring videos at NYpriest.com.