Thanks Be to You, O Lord

Bless the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit

Dear friend, it is the day after your funeral. Here on earth the Church now enters into her longest season, the season after Pentecost, after the descent of the Holy Ghost onto the disciples. You enter into eternity, and I pray that Holy Ghost has descended on you as well. May God bless you forever, and let us bless Him:

Trium puerórum cantémus hymnum, quem cantábant sancti in camíno ignis, benedicéntes Dóminum.

Let us sing the hymn of the three young men, which these holy ones sang of old in the fiery furnace, giving praise to the Lord.

Benedícite ómnia ópera Dómini Dómino: laudáte et superexaltáte eum in saécula. Benedícite Angeli Dómini Dómino: benedícite cæli Dómino Benedícite aquæ omnes quae super cælos sunt Dómino: benedícite omnes virtútes Dómini Dómino. Benedícite sol et luna Dómino: benedícite stellæ cæli Dómini. Benedícite omnis imber et ros Dómino: benedícite omnes spíritus Dei Dómino. Benedícite ignis et æstus Dómino: benedícite frigus et æstus Dómino. Benedícite rores et pruína Dómino: benedícite gelu et frigus Dómino. Benedícite glácies et nives Dómino: benedícite noctes et dies Dómino. Benedícite lux et ténebræ Dómino: benedícite fúlgura et nubes Dómino. Benedícat terra Dóminum: laudet et superexáltet eum in saécula. Benedícite montes et colles Dómino: benedícite univérsa germinántia in terra Dómino. Benedícite fontes Dómino: benedícite mária et flúmina Dómino. Benedícite cete, et ómnia, quæ movéntur in aquis Dómino: benedícite omnes volúcres cæli Dómino. Benedícite omnes béstiæ et pécora Dómino: benedícite fílii hóminum Dómino. Benedícat Israël Dóminum: laudet et superexáltet eum in saécula. Benedícite sacerdótes Dómini Dómino: benedícite servi Dómini Dómino. Benedícite spíritus et ánimæ justórum Dómino: benedícite sancti et húmiles corde Dómino. Benedícite Ananía, Azária, Misaël Dó-mino: laudáte et superexaltáte eum in saécula. Benedicámus Patrem et Fílium cum sancto Spíritu: laudémus et superexaltémus eum in saécula. Benedíctus es, Dómine, in firmaménto cæli: et laudábilis, et gloriósus, et superexaltátus in saécula.

All ye works of the Lord, bless the Lord: praise and exalt Him above all for ever. O ye angels of the Lord, bless the Lord: O ye heavens, bless the Lord O all ye waters that are above the heavens, bless the Lord: O all ye powers of the Lord, bless the Lord. O ye sun and moon, bless the Lord: O ye stars of heaven, bless the Lord. O every shower and dew, bless ye the Lord: O all ye spirits of God, bless the Lord. O ye fire and heat, bless the Lord: O ye cold and heat, bless the Lord. O ye dews and hoarfrosts, bless the Lord: O ye frost and cold, bless the Lord. O ye ice and snow, bless the Lord: O ye nights and days, bless the Lord. O ye light and darkness, bless the Lord: O ye lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord. O let the earth bless the Lord: let it praise and exalt Him above all for ever. O ye mountains and hills, bless the Lord: O all ye things that spring up in the earth, bless the Lord. O ye fountains, bless the Lord: O ye seas and rivers, bless the Lord O ye whales and all that move in the waters, bless the Lord: O all ye fowls of the air, bless the Lord. O all ye beasts and cattle, bless the Lord: O ye sons of men, bless the Lord. O let Israel bless the Lord: let them praise and exalt Him above all for ever. O ye priests of the Lord, bless the Lord: O ye servants of the Lord, bless the Lord. O ye spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord: O ye holy and humble of heart, bless the Lord. O Ananias, Azarias and Misael, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt Him above all for ever. Let us bless the Father, and the Son, with the Holy Ghost: let us praise and exalt Him above all for ever. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, in the firmament of heaven: and worthy of praise, and glorious, and exalted above all for ever.

Give thanks for the makers of music

Give thanks for the makers of music
who add to the beauty of creation
and give us songs of praise to sing to our Creator.

Sancta Cecilia, ora pro eis!

Most high, all powerful, all good Lord,
may we always remember Thy blessings,
and sing to Thee a hymn of gratitude in our hearts.

And I heard a voice from heaven, as the noise of many waters, and as the voice of great thunder; and the voice which I heard, was as the voice of harpers, harping on their harps.
And they sung as it were a new canticle, before the throne, and before the four living creatures, and the ancients; and no man could say the canticle, but those hundred forty-four thousand, who were purchased from the earth.

The Apocalypse of Saint John 14:2-3

A Mild Day in November

We have had chilly days already, and there is no question that winter approaches, but today it warmed to 65°F.

Thank You, heavenly Father, that our lives include the comfort of days like today. Grant that we may bless Thy holy name in every season.
Through Christ our Lord.

A New Translation

Heaven and earth shall pass away: but My words shall not pass away.

I went to Mass this evening, the first Mass at our parish using the new translation of the Novus Ordo. What a joy to hear our Lord's words spoken accurately at the Consecration! We in the congregation stumbled over our words in parts, nearly falling silent during the Creed at the words "by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary", but our pastor has high hopes. He spoke in his homily of catechetics that would teach the faith sooner and more thoroughly than has been common in recent years, and Masses that would offer worship to our Creator with profounder reverence and awe. May God bless his efforts and favor the work of his hands.

Hymn of Thanksgiving

Te Deum laudamus	We praise Thee, O God;
te Dominum confitemur.	we acknowledge Thee to be the Lord.
Te aeternum Patrem	Thee, the Father everlasting,
omnis terra veneratur.	all the earth doth worship.
Tibi omnes Angeli;	To Thee all Angels,
tibi caeli et universae Potestates;	to Thee the heavens and the powers of the universe,
Tibi Cherubim et Seraphim	to Thee the Cherubim and Seraphim
incessabili voce proclamant:	cry out with unceasing voice:
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus,	Holy, Holy, Holy,
Dominus Deus Sabaoth.	Lord God of Hosts;
Pleni sunt caeli et terra	Heaven and earth are full
maiestatis gloriae tuae.	of the majesty of Thy glory.
Te gloriosus Apostolorum chorus,	Thee, the glorious choir of angels,
Te Prophetarum laudabilis numerus,	Thee, the admirable company of the Prophets,
Te Martyrum candidatus laudat exercitus.	Thee, the white-robed army of martyrs
Te per orbem terrarum	Thee, throughout all the world,
sancta confitetur Ecclesia,	the Holy Church acknowledges,
Patrem immensae maiestatis:	The Father, of an infinite Majesty;
Venerandum tuum verum et unicum Filium;	worthy of worship, Thy true and only Son;
Sanctum quoque Paraclitum Spiritum.	and also the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete.
Tu Rex gloriae, Christe.	Thou art the King of Glory, O Christ.
Tu Patris sempiternus es Filius.	Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father.
Tu ad liberandum suscepturus hominem,	When Thou didst take upon Thee to deliver man,
non horruisti Virginis uterum.	Thou didst not abhor the Virgin's womb.
Tu, devicto mortis aculeo,	Thou, after defeating the sting of death,
aperuisti credentibus regna caelorum.	didst open the kingdom of the heaven to those who believe.
Tu ad dexteram Dei sedes, in gloria Patris.	Thou sittest at the right hand of God in the glory of the Father.
Iudex crederis esse venturus.	We believe that Thou shalt come to be our Judge.
Te ergo quaesumus, tuis famulis subveni:	We pray Thee, therefore, help Thy servants,
quos pretioso sanguine redemisti.	whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy precious blood.
Aeterna fac cum sanctis tuis in gloria numerari.	Make them to be numbered with Thy Saints in everlasting glory.
Salvum fac populum tuum, Domine,	save Thy people, O Lord,
et benedic hereditati tuae.	and bless Thine inheritance.
Et rege eos, et extolle illos usque in aeternum.	Govern them, and lift them up for ever.
Per singulos dies benedicimus te;	Day by day we bless Thee
Et laudamus Nomen tuum in saeculum, et in saeculum saeculi.	and we praise Thy name for ages, and to the age of ages.
Dignare, Domine, die isto sine peccato nos custodire.	Deign, O Lord, this day to keep us without sin.
Miserere nostri Domine, miserere nostri.	Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us.
Fiat misericordia tua, Domine,	Let Thy mercy be shown to us, O Lord,
super nos, quemadmodum speravimus in te.	as we have hoped in Thee.
In te, Domine, speravi:	In Thee, O Lord, I have hoped
Non confundar in aeternum.	let me not be confounded forever.

On occasions of solemn thanksgiving, the following prayers are added:

V. Benedictus es, Domine Deus patrum nostrorum.	Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers
R. Et laudabilis et gloriosus in saecula.	and worthy to be praised and glorified for ages.
V. Benedicamus Patrem et Filium cum Spiritu sancto.	Let us bless the Father and the Son, with the Holy Ghost.
R. Laudemus et superexaltemus eum in secula.	Let us praise and exalt Him above all forever.
V. Benedictus es, Domine, in firmamento coeli.	Blessed art Thou, O Lord, in the firmament of heaven.
R. Et laudabilis et gloriosus et superexaltatus in secula.	And worthy of praise, and glorious, and exalted for ever.
V. Benedic, anima mea, Dominum.	Bless, O my soul, the Lord.
R. Et noli oblivisci omnes retributiones ejus.	And forget not all his benefits.
V. Domine, exaudi orationem meam.	O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. Et clamor meus ad te veniat.	And let my cry come unto Thee.
V. Dominus vobiscum.	The Lord be with you.
R. Et cum spiritu tuo.	And with Thy spirit.
Oremus	Let us pray.
Deus, cujus misericordiae non est numerus, et bonitatis infinitus est thesaurus, piissimae Majestati tuae pro collatis donis gratias agimus, tuam semper clementiam exorantes: ut qui petentibus postulata concedis, eosdem non deserens, ad praemia futura disponas.	O God, Whose mercies are without number and Whose goodness is an infinite treasure: we render thanks to Thy most gracious Majesty for the gifts Thou hast bestowed upon us, always imploring Thy mercy, that as Thou grantest the prayers of those that ask Thee, Thou wilt never forsake them but will prepare them for the future reward.
Deus, qui corda fidelium Sancti Spiritus illustratione docuisti: da nobis in eodem Spiritu recta sapere et de ejus semper consolatione gaudere.	O God, who hast taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Ghost, grant that by the gift of the same Spirit we may be truly wise, and ever rejoice in His consolation.
Deus, qui neminem in te sperantem nimium affligi permittis, sed pium precibus praestas auditum: pro postulationibus nostris votisque susceptis gratias agimus, te piissime deprecantes, ut a cunctis semper muniamur adversis. Per Dominum nostrum.	O God, Who allowest no one who puts his trust in Thee to be afflicted beyond his strength, but givest a gracious hearing to his prayer, we thank Thee for receiving our petitions, and beseech Thee, most holy, to ever protect us from the adversities of life. [This we ask] through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God through all the ages of ages.
R. Amen	Amen

Behold, now is the acceptable time

The Traditional Mass returns to Sts. Peter and Paul in Naperville this afternoon after an absence of nearly 40 years. Deo gratias!

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A lesson from the Epistle of Blessed Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians:

Brethren, we exhort you that you receive not the grace of God in vain. For He saith: In an accepted time have I heard thee, and in the day of salvation have I helped thee. Behold, now is the acceptable time, behold now is the day of salvation. Giving no offense to any man, that our ministry be not blamed: but in all things let us exhibit ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in tribulation, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in prisons, in seditions, in labors, in watchings, in fastings, in chastity, in knowledge, in long-suffering, in sweetness, in the Holy Ghost, in charity unfeigned, in the word of truth, in the power of God, by the armor of justice on the right hand and on the left: by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report: as deceivers and yet true, as unknown and yet known: as dying, and behold we live: as chastised and not killed: as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing: as needy, yet enriching many: as having nothing and possessing all things.

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A prayer from Saint Thomas Aquinas. Thanksgiving After Holy Communion:

I thank You, O holy Lord,
almighty Father, eternal God,
who have deigned, not through any merits of mine,
but out of the condescension of Your goodness,
to satisfy me a sinner, Your unworthy servant,
with the precious Body and Blood of Your Son,
our Lord Jesus Christ.

I pray that this Holy Communion
be not a condemnation to punishment for me,
but a saving plea to forgiveness.

May it be to me the armor of faith
and the shield of a good will.
May it be the emptying out of my vices
and the extinction of all lustful desires;
and increase of charity and patience,
of humility and obedience, and all virtues;
a strong defense against the snares
of all my enemies, visible and invisible;
the perfect quieting of all my evil impulses
of flesh and spirit,
binding me firmly to You, the one true God;
and a happy ending of my life.

I pray too that You will deign to bring me, a sinner,
to that ineffable banquet where You
with Your Son and the Holy Spirit,
are to your Saints true light, fulfillment of desires, eternal joy,
unalloyed gladness, and perfect bliss.

Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Joyful Joyful, We Adore Thee

The motu proprio has been published.

Thank you, Lord.

Thanksgiving

Thank You Lord, for the reformation of the new rite of the Mass, and for the restoration of the old. Thank You for the graces You grant Your Church in every age. May we make use of them to the glory of Your holy Name, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, always and forever. Amen.