Let us pray with the Church and for the Church AMDG!

As we are approaching Easter, the pace quickens.

Starting with the sombre Season of Septuagesima, we progress to the Season of Lent, a season of prayer, fasting and penitence, thus prepared to be reflect on the Passion of Our Lord through the liturgy of Passion-tide. All this culminates in the Triduum, the 3 days before Easter, with its once magnificent ceremonies everywhere. Traditionally, during these three days, the Tenebrae are chanted.

If you would like to know more, see the article about it on the  Editorials  page!

…..is unfolded through the Holy Liturgy of this Season.

The beautiful liturgical  prayers  help us to share in the sorrowful  Passion of  Our Lord, consoling Him and thanking Him for His willingness to pay such a heavy price for our redemption.

P. S. The Breviary notes were bought up to date.

Whilst our heart is filled with sorrow because Brother Martin OSsS, so kind, so cheerful,  is not among us , we should thank God that we have known him, inspired and edified by the example and cheered in encounters with this   consecrated soul ,living his  holy  vocation to the full.

In a way, it was a unique vocation. The Brigittine Brothers, a contemplative order, to which Brother Martin belonged for close to a quarter century, is a truly trailblazing enterprise.    In the chaotic situation of the recent decades, when even previously established orders simply dwindled away a group of dedicated Americans achieved under the inspired leadership of Brother Benedict Kirby (RIP) of happy memory what others have been unsuccessfully trying for more than 100 years in Europe –  to re-establish a male branch of Brigittines after the Brigittine Brothers were simply swept away in the wake of the Protestant reformation.

Several of those who have tried the life, did not persevere.  Those who did and do to this day, made and are making it work by turning their hands to any of the tasks presented without decreasing the time for prayer- daily Holy Mass, the full Divine Office (also known as the Liturgy of the Hours) recited in common, adoration and rosary each day.

May God grant the graces to the confreres of dear Brother Martin to carry on with their work of sanctifying themselves and others AMDG and may Our Lady dry their tears of grief!

The present part of the liturgical year, the Sundays after Epiphany, could also be called the “Let us get ready” season.  After the splendour of the Christmas cycle and before the sombre Season f Septuagesima, preparing us for the penitential practices of Lent begins, we are in a bit of no man’s land. Let us therefore pray that we see the road-map for our journey to heaven when seasonal prayers to aid us start again.

This time, when we are not so busy celebrating, more often not with others, may be a good time to review our New Year resolutions.

The Breviary notes were bought up to date. all dates for the various Seasons are now also current for the year of 2018

In the traditional Latin liturgy, the light of Christmas simply explodes into splendour. Then we had shepherds   from nearby. We now have the Magi coming from far afar, bearing the splendid gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

This is how the Little Chapter at ad Primam puts it:

Omnes de Saba vénient, aurum et thus deferéntes, et laudem Dómino annuntiántes. (All they from Saba shall come, bringing gold and frankincense: and shewing forth praise to the Lord.

The above is said once. The Little Chapter below is repeated three times, namely at ad Laudes, ad Tertiam and at ad Vesperas:

Surge, illumináre Ierúsalem, quia venit lumen tuum, et glória Dómini super te orta est. (Arise, be enlightened, O Jerusalem: for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.)

May be given the graces also to see better as to what God wishes for us to do!

The” Breviary notes” page has been updated.

… hoping that you have received many graces during the Holy Season!

I did not forget you, and you were in my prayers, but was not able to write. At Christmas time I was visiting  the Clear Creek Abbey

and staying with the Clear Creek Sisters.

It was wonderful. there  I am planning  to tell you all about it later.

Let  us great Our Heavenly Mother with a song!

Here is a strophe from the a hymn from the Brigittine Divine Office, sung on the Feasts of Our Lady :

O Virgo fons laetitiae – Tu corda nostra marcida

Irriga rore gratiae – Sint ut virtute florida .

(O Virgin, fountain of joy – Soften our hearts

Irrigate them with the dew of grace – So that they would be flowery with virtue.)

Here is a Feastday present for everyone – a new article “Non-liturgical devotions of the Brigittini Servitores” on the  “Brigittine prayers” page.

Let us light a candle to dispel the ignorance of drkness though  religious reading !

Let us prepared the dwelling for the Holy Family  by cleaning the stable with good confessions!

Let us sing joyfully with the angels in thanksgiving  for the gift of our Catholic faith!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT1fA59oH7Q

The” Breviary notes” page has been updated.

I greet Thee Jesus, My Lord, my all, with a verse from the hymn for Thursday in the   Brigittine Divine Office.

Rex Christe clementissime – Tu corda nostra posside

Ut tibi  laudes debitas – Reddamus omni tempore.

 Christ, most merciful King – Possess our hearts

So that we return at all times – The praises owed to Thee.

I beseech Thee to grant me the graces of continuing to praise Thee for all the days of my life here on earth and in Heaven   hereafter.