Lumen Christi gloriose resurgentisDissipet tenebras cordis et mentis. Let us also pray together, using the form given by Leo XIII, the Exorcism against Satan and the Apostate Angels (Exorcismus in Satanam et angelos apostaticos, Rituale Romanum, Tit. XII, Caput III), so we can all fight together the common enemy of the whole human race. The liturgical reforms of Pope Pius XII continued a process initiated by Pope Pius X. In February of 1951, the Holy See under Pope Pius XII issued a decree restoring the Easter Vigil to Holy Saturday night. The decree states that by its gradual removal, in[…]

Imagine yourself standing at the foot of the cross on which your Redeemer is suspended, and hear Him cry out in the words of the prophet, ” Oh all ye who pass by the way, attend and see if there be any sorrow like to My sorrow.” (Lament, i. 12.) Ponder attentively the whole passion in relation to the four principal circumstances, “that you may be able to comprehend with all the Saints what is the breadth, and length, and height, and depth.” (Eph. iii. 18.) I. The Depth.—How ignominious it was! He was suspended aloft in the air, as[…]

Station at St John Lateran The Station is held at St. John Lateran, originally called the Basilica of Saint Saviour. The Liturgy of Maundy Thursday is full of memories of the Redemption. It provided formerly for the celebration of three Masses: the first for the reconciliation of public Penitents, the second for the consecration of the holy oils, and the third for a special commemoration of the institution of the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper. This last Mass is the only one that has been preserved, and at it the Bishop, attended by twelve Priests, seven Deacons and seven[…]

I. After Christ was dead, His sacred body was taken down from the cross by Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea. They laid the sacred treasure in the Mother’s arms, fulfilling the expression in the Canticle, “A bundle of myrrh is my beloved to me; He shall abide between my breasts.” (Cant. i. 12.) Observe with what sighs and tears and what expressions of profound grief she received the mangled body. Ponder what was said and done by her and her devout companions on this occasion. Take care that you make your beloved Saviour “a bundle of myrrh” in your regard,[…]

“Rise, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ will enlighten thee.” (Ephes. v. 14.) I. When Christ raised His body from the dead, He decorated it with all the attributes of glory. Lacerated and deformed before, it now becomes beautiful and lovely. Reflect on the difference which exists between a body that is dead, pale, wan, and motionless, and the same body when it is invested with the attributes of glory. The same difference exists between a soul in sin, and in the state of grace. The same difference, with due proportion, is to be found between[…]

” Arise, O Jerusalem; loose the bonds from off thy neck, O captive daughter of Sion, ye were sold for nought, and ye shall be redeemed without money.” (Is. Hi. 2.) I. The Church in a particular manner at this holy time celebrates the benefits of our common redemption. We were all subject to the tyranny of the devil and children of wrath in consequence of original guilt, and there was no created being able to atone for the crime. We should all have been lost forever, had not God sent His only begotten Son as “a redemption to His[…]