Divine Liturgy

I have just finished watching the rebroadcast on EWTN of the Divine Liturgy from Turkey this morning. I did not see the entire liturgy but a the end when the two were on the balcony and they held hands and raised them over their heads was just beautiful.

Now I know that there are many things that stand between east and west, and one visit it not going to erase all of those years of distrust and misunderstanding, but what a gesture that was for me, and I have to say I got a tear in my eye. Let us continue to pray for discussions and understanding between both east and west. Many years to Pope Benedict and Many Years to Patriarch Batholomew.

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Joint Declaration by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew

and Pope Benedict XVI

1. The filial meeting of the two Church leaders renews their commitment to work towards the restoration of Full Communion between the two Churches, which is God’s will and command.
2. The two Prelates recalled with gratitude their predecessors, Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul II, as well as Ecumenical Patriarchs Athenagoras and Dimitrios, who lead the path towards the reconciliation (abatement) of the two churches, through their meetings and mutual visits, as well as the lifting of the 11th Century anathemas between Rome and Constantinople. They call on (implore) the faithful of both Churches to strengthen their prayers and endeavors towards the unity of the Churches.
3. They express their joy and satisfaction for the recommencement of the official Theological Dialogue between the two Churches, as well as for the recent meeting of the plenary session of the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue in Belgrade, offering their full support to its works.
4. They underline the duty of the Church to carry the message of the Gospel to the modern world, and especially to Christian countries, where secularization, relativism and even nihilism is observed, particularly in the West. The common heritage of the two churches should take into account modern cultural trends, quests as well as the problems of humanity in today’s world.
5. Referring to the formation of the European Union, they stress the following: “We evaluated positively the path towards the shaping of the European Union. The key players in this huge endeavor will surely take into account all that is related to human beings and their non-negotiable rights, especially religious freedom, which is proof and assurance of respect for all other freedoms. In every initiative for union, minorities, with their cultural rights and religious distinctiveness should be protected. In Europe, both Orthodox Christians and Roman Catholics, while remaining open to other religions and their contribution to culture, should unite their efforts to safeguard Christian roots, traditions and values, in order to preserve respect for history and to also contribute to the culture of a future Europe, as well as to the quality of human relations at all levels. In this respect, how could we not refer to very ancient martyrs and to the glorious Christian heritage of the land, in which we are meeting, beginning with the words of the Book of the Apostles for Saint Paul, Apostle to the Nations? On this land, the message of the Gospel and ancient philosophical tradition have met. This bond, which contributed to our common Christian heritage, remains current and will in the future bear fruit for the promotion of the Gospel and for our unity”.
6. They turn their eye towards the lands where Christians face difficulties and where wars, terrorism and famine prevail as well as the exploitation of the poor, of immigrants, of women and children.
They call on Roman Catholic and Orthodox Christians to take up common action for the respect of human rights for all people and the protection of human life from the slaughter of innocents, especially when it is carried out in the name of God.
In particular, they turn their eyes to the Middle East, where the Lord lived and where Christians have been living for centuries. They stressed the need for the restoration of peace in the area and for a peaceful coexistence and cooperation between the people, churches and religions, and they encourage interfaith dialogue in order to counter violence and discrimination in every form.
7. They express their concern in the face of great dangers stemming from the destruction of the natural environment and the negative consequences for humanity and all creation, caused by uncontrolled economic and technological progress. As spiritual leaders, they support every effort for the protection of the natural environment, so that an (intact) unharmed planet is inherited by future generations, where they could live.
8. Finally, they turn to all faithful Roman Catholic and Orthodox Christians around the world, clergy, monks and laypeople, giving them their blessing and their reassurance that they shall have their prayers and their love, as well as to all other Christians, with whom they are willing and ready to come into dialogue and cooperation.

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Andrew & Peter Meet

This is one of the many photos from today's Divine Liturgy in Turkey.

The Pope and the Patriarch greet each other as the Pope is welcomed into the church. I have not seen the Liturgy yet, I did not want to get up at 2am, but it will be rebroadcast this afternoon at 2pm on EWTN. From the comments I have read by my fellow bloggers it was a wonderful event. There were some questions as to why the Pope was not commemorated during the Liturgy as he was last night. This is an example of the separation. The prayer service last night was just that, a prayer service. The Liturgy is something different and if the Pope was commemorated during it it would assume communion. Since we are not in communion with each other, it would be inappropriate for the Pope to be commemorated. One interesting comment I found was that as the people were coming up for communion they were bowing to the Pope and he was bowing back to them. Very nice. More after I have a chance to watch but you can find many comments of both Orthodox and Catholic Blogs.

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Dog the Bounty Hunter

It would seem that the Dog is in the Dog House. This is not new news but Dog was on Larry King Live tonight talking about his case. He was arrested in Mexico several years ago while on a bounty. It would seem that bounty hunting is illegal in Mexico. I tune into the show from time to time, and if you can get past his appearance, he really is a good guy and tries to help out those that he arrests. Anyway, there is a hearing this coming Monday in Mexico to try and dismiss the charges. Good Luck Dog.

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Violence in Scotland

Rocco Palmo at Whispers in the Loggia has an article about violence against catholics in Scotland. One would think that after all these years that kind of thing would be over.

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Dis-Unity

This week we have been treated to TV coverage of the Popes visit to Turkey. Today the Pope and the Patriarch met together for prayer in the Cathedral Church of St. George. It was wonderful to see these two leaders together and to hear them commemorated together during the prayer service. They prayed together and spoke wonderful words to each other.

All of this saddens me in a way also. Tomorrow the two men will be together again in the greatest expression of our Christian faith, the Eucharistic Celebration. In the Divine Liturgy we pray for each other and for unity in all things. How sad will it be at the moment of communion that not everyone will take the precious Body and Blood of our Lord. How wonderful it would be to see Benedict and Bartholomew receive from the same cup. I wonder what kind of shock wave would be sent through the Christian world if that was to happen tomorrow. What a way to say we truly are brothers.

Now I know it will not happen, and for various reasons it cannot happen. But what a day that will be when we are all worshiping together again as it says in the creed that we all say at each liturgical celebration... "One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church."

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Welcome by His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew

to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI After the Prayer Service at the

Patriarchal Cathedral of St. George

Your Holiness, beloved Brother in the Lord,

It is with sentiments of sincere joy and satisfaction that we welcome you to the sacred and historical city of Istanbul.

This is a city that has known a treasured heritage for the growth of the Church through the ages. It is here that St. Andrew, the "first-called" of the Apostles founded the local Church of Byzantium and installed St. Stachys as its first bishop. It is here that the Emperor and "equal-to-the-Apostles," St. Constantine the Great, established the New Rome. It is here that the Great Councils of the early Church convened to formulate the Symbol of Faith. It is here that martyrs and saints, bishops and monks, theologians and teachers, together with a “cloud of witnesses” confessed what the prophets saw, what the apostles taught, what the church received, what the teachers formulated in doctrine, what the world understood, what grace has shone, namely…the truth that was received, the faith of the fathers. This is the faith of the Orthodox. This faith has established the universe.

So it is with open embrace that we welcome you on the blessed occasion of your first visit to the City, just as our predecessors, Ecumenical Patriarchs Athenagoras and Demetrios, had welcomed your predecessors, Popes Paul VI and John Paul II. These venerable men of the Church sensed the inestimable value and urgent need alike of such encounters in the process of reconciliation through a dialogue of love and truth.

Therefore, we are, both of us, as their successors and as successors to the Thrones of Rome and New Rome equally accountable for the steps - just, of course, as we are for any missteps - along the journey and in our struggle to obey the command of our Lord, that His disciples "may be one."

It was in this spirit that, by the grace of God, we visited repeatedly Rome and two years ago in order to accompany the relics of Saints Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom, formerly Archbishops of this City, whose sacred remains were generously returned to this Patriarchal Cathedral by the late Pope. It was in this spirit, too, that we traveled to Rome only months later to attend the funeral of Pope John Paul.

We are deeply grateful to God that Your Holiness has taken similar steps today in the same spirit. We offer thanks to God in doxology and express thanks also to Your Holiness in fraternal love.

Beloved Brother, welcome. "Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord."

"Blessed is the Name of the Lord now and forevermore."

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Commemoration

How moving it was to hear Pope Benedict and Patriarch Bartholomew commemorated in the same voice at the same altar. I will admit I still have a lump in my throat because of this. Some may say that this is merely a symbolic moment, but I believe it is more than that. How wonderful it will be tomorrow when they attend Divine Liturgy together. If only they could commune together.

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Ecumenical Patriarch

Here is a little blurb about the Patriarch also from his website:

The Ecumenical Patriarchate is the primary ecclesiastical centre of the Orthodox Church throughout the world, tracing its history to the Day of Pentecost and the early Christian communities founded by the Apostles of Jesus Christ. According to tradition, the “First-Called” of these Apostles, Andrew, preached the Gospel around Asia Minor, the Black Sea, Thrace and Achaia, where he was martyred. In 36AD, he founded the Church on the shores of the Bosphorus in the city known then as Byzantium, later Constantinople and today Istanbul. St. Andrew is the Patron Saint of the Ecumenical Patriarchate; his Patronal Feast is celebrated on November 30.

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Visit to Turkey

I got up early this morning to see the arrival of Pope Benedict in Turkey and will try and watch the coverage this week. With the visit I thought I would post something about the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Turkey. It seems that the coverage I am watching keeps referring to him only as the Patriarch of the Greek Orthodox. So I found this on the Patriarchs website and I will post it here:

The Ecumenical Patriarchate is the highest see and holiest center of the Orthodox Christian Church throughout the world. It is an institution with a history spanning seventeen centuries, during which it retained its see in Constantinople (present-day Istanbul). It constitutes the center of all the local Orthodox Churches, heading these not by administration but by virtue of its primacy in the ministry of pan-Orthodox unity and the coordination of the activity of the whole of Orthodoxy.

The function of the Ecumenical Patriarchate as center par excellence of the life of the entire Orthodox world emanates from its centuries-old ministry in the witness, protection and outreach of the Orthodox faith. The Ecumenical Patriarchate therefore possesses a supra-national and supra-regional character. From this lofty consciousness and responsibility for the people of Christ, regardless of race and language, were born the new regional Churches of the East, from the Caspian to the Baltic, and from the Balkans to Central Europe. This activity today extends to the Far East, to America and Australia.

Orthodox Christians on all continents, which do not fall under the jurisdiction of the autocephalous (independent) or autonomous (semi-independent) Churches, fall under the direct jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The most important of the autocephalous Churches are the ancient Patriarchates of Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem (together with the ancient Archdiocese of Mt. Sinai), the Patriarchates of Russia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria and Georgia, as well as the Churches of Cyprus, Greece, Poland, Albania, and the Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia. The Autonomous Churches include those of Finland and of Estonia. Consequently, the Orthodox Churches in Europe, America, Australia and Britain, which are not under the jurisdiction of the aforementioned autocephalous Churches, lie within the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. All Orthodox feel that they are constituents of one essentially spiritual community, wherein “when one member suffers, so do all.” It is a true sense of unity in diversity.

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LOCAL GREEK ORTHODOX AND ROMAN CATHOLIC PRELATESISSUE JOINT STATEMENT FOR UPCOMING MEETING
BETWEEN ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW AND
POPE BENEDICT XVI IN ISTANBUL

BOSTON – Metropolitan Methodios of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston and Seán Cardinal O’Malley of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston have issued the present joint statement of fraternal understanding and prayer for the upcoming three-day visit of Pope Benedict XVI with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in Istanbul, Turkey on November 28 - December 1, 2006. As global tensions run high, the local Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic hierarchs pray for the safety and fruitful ecumenical dialogue of their respective Church world leaders.
Pope Benedict will visit the Ecumenical Patriarchate at the invitation of the Ecumenical Patriarch, the spiritual leader of more than 270 million Orthodox Christians worldwide, for the occasion of the feast day of Saint Andrew the Apostle, the older brother of Saint Peter. Saint Andrew traveled across Asia Minor and is the founder of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, the former name for present-day Istanbul. Both prelates are noted throughout the world for their extraordinary efforts to create bridges of truth and love across religious, ethnic, environmental, and political divides.
Metropolitan Methodios and Seán Cardinal O’Malley are hopeful that the meeting between Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Pope Benedict, the two “Bridge Builders” and “Peacemakers” of Apostolic Christendom, will influence ties between their respective churches and have a profound impact on religious freedom and on the recognition of minority rights.

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Blog Changes

I have made some changes to the Blog and added some others that I like to keep up with. As with all things on the web this is currently under revision.

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St. Fergus Cruithneach

Continuing to post on Scottish saints here is today's entry. This comes from the Catholic Encyclopedia.

Died about 730, known in the Irish martyrologies as St. Fergus Cruithneach, or the Pict. The Breviary of Aberdeen states that he had been a bishop for many years in Ireland when he came on a mission to Alba with some chosen priests and other clerics. He settled first near Strageath, in the present parish of Upper Strathearn, in Upper Perth, erected three churches in that district. The churchs of Strageath, Blackford, and Dolpatrick are found there to-day dedicated to St. Patrick. He next evangelized Caithness and established there the churches of Wick and Halkirk. Thence he crossed to Buchan in Aberdeenshire and founded a church at Lungley, a village now called St. Fergus. Lastly, he established a church at Glammis in Forfarshire. He went to Rome in 721 and was present with Sedulius and twenty other bishops at a synod in the basilica of St. Peter, convened by Gregory II. His remains were deposited in the church of Glammis and were the object of much veneration in the Middle Ages. The Abbot of Scone transferred his head to Scone church, and encased it in a costly shrine there is an entry in the accounts of the treasurer of James IV, October, 1503, " An offerand of 13 shillings to Sanct Fergus' heide in Scone". The churches of Wick, Glammis, and Lungley had St. Fergus as their patron. His festival is recorded in the Martyrology of Tallaght for the 8th of September but seems to have been observed in Scotland on the 18th of November.

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Did Mary Have Labor Pains

Fr. Z posted a review of the new Nativity Movie on his blog, and some people posted comments complaining about the movie and the fact that it depicts the Theotokos experiencing labor pains during birth. Now, I had never really given this much thought before but I got thinking about it. In response to the comments, Fr. Z posted a follow up with a quote from the Council of Trent:

“To Eve it was said: In sorrow shalt thou bring forth children. Mary was exempt from this law, for preserving her virginal integrity inviolate she brought forth Jesus the Son of God without experiencing, as we have already said, any sense of pain” (Catechism of the Council of Trent for Parish Priests, Trans., John A. McHugh, O.P., Charles J. Callan, O.P., South Bend, Ind., Marian Publications, 1972, p. 4).

Okay, so I looked furthur. In the Protoevangelion of James there is this line:

"And the midwife went along with him and stood in the cave. Then a bright cloud overshadowed the cave, and the midwife said, This day my soul is magnified, for my eyes have seen surprising things, and salvation is brought forth to Israel. But suddenly the cloud became a great light in the cave, so that their eyes could not bear it. But the light gradually decreased, until the infant appeared, and nursed at the breast of his mother Mary. Then the midwife cried out and said, How glorious a day in this, wherein my eyes have seen this extraordinary sight! And the midwife went out from the cave, and Salome met her. And the midwife said to her, Salome, Salome, I will tell you a most surprising thing which I saw, A virgin has brought forth, which is a thing contrary to nature."

So there is no mention of labor pains here either. In fact the verse is quite explicet with the light and then a child appears. So it would seem that this would be true?

Why all the hub bub about all of this. I find questions like this very interesting and like to write about them. Will it change the faith at all, I don't think so but it is interesting none the less. Be kind if you comment.

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Nativity

Fr. Z has posted a review of the movie. He saw the Vatican premier. It opens around here on December 1st. I hope to see it soon. I will post my review after.

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Blogger Beta

Okay so I made the switch to the new blogging software, let's see if it is any different. Sphere: Related Content

Benedict and Bartholomew

On Tuesday, Pope Benedict will travel to Turkey to visit with Patriarch Bartholomew in Constantinople. My good friend Huw has a prayer on his blog for the visit. I think we all should adopt this prayer for this week as the visit continues.

Here is a link to the prayer. Sphere: Related Content

30th Sunday After Pentecost

Colossians 3:12-16
Luke 18:18-27

In today's gospel passage we see Jesus once again taking a swipe at rich people. The rich young man comes and asks Jesus what he has to do to get into Heaven. First Jesus rebukes him for calling him good. "No one is good but One, that is, God." is Jesus reply to this question. Next he asks what he needs to do. Jesus lists off the commandments that he must obey. Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not bear false witness, honor your father and mother. Okay seems simple so far. Most of us would be able to do all of these things without any question. Then the whammy comes. Go sell all you have, give to the poor, come and follow me. Oh man not that! I can only imagine what this man must have thought. Ask me anything else and I will do it, but not that. I have too much stuff.

Okay, last week we were faced with the same thing. Does Jesus not like rich people? Maybe, but more important that that he is speaking in terms of sacrifice. Sacrifice is something that we need to do as Christians. How many of us sacrifice to be Christians? This week Pope Benedict will travel to Turkey to make an official visit to the Turkish government but also to Patriarch Bartholomew. Christians in Turkey are a minority and suffer each day for their faith. The patriarch himself is a captive in his own residence and can only move about with official permission. I would say that he suffers for his faith. Now I am not saying that we all need to move to Turkey and suffer along with our brothers and sisters there, no but we should sacrifice a little for our faith.

This time of advent is a time of preparation and time of sacrifice. In the Orthodox Church we fast during this time of the year as we do during great lent. Give something up these days as an offering to God. It does not matter what it is just do it.

In his writings about this verse, St. John Chrysostom teaches the following, Jesus loved the man, He named these conditions for his particular need. That is the key phrase here, his particular need. Jesus is not saying that we all need to sell all we have and give to the poor, but for this man that is what he needed to do. Pray that God will reveal what you must do to have eternal life. It will be different for all of us.

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Thanksgiving

Today in the US is Thanksgiving Day. Let us pause this day to say thanks for all that we have and let us not forget those that will go without today.

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Christmas

Fr. Greg has a great post about Christmas. Check it out. Sphere: Related Content

Liturgical Words

Over on Fr. Z's blog there has been an interesting conversation going on about two little Latin words that are used in the Liturgy of the Roman Church during the consecration. I first have to give a shout out to Fr. Z for having such a wonderful Blog. I have learned many things from his blog and he has a wonderful section on the Patristic sense of the Rosary prayers that it is just great.

The two words are "pro multis" and this has gone all the way to Rome to be fixed. It seems in the present form of the English version of the Roman Liturgy the words have been translated to mean "for all" The argument is this. With the present words "for all" it not only distorts the original Latin meaning of the phrase but there is also the theological implication that all men are saved regardless of the relationship that they have with Christ. Fr. Z makes the point, and I agree that the words "for many" more clearly state theologically what is going on. Fr. Z makes his point this way: "The more natural translation, 'for many,' more accurately suggests that while Christ's redemptive suffering makes salvation available to all, it does not follow that all men are saved." Okay sowhat'ss the big deal. Well I remember one professor I had in seminary that told us that the language of theology is veryprecisee and if we use the wrong words we can easily slip into heresy. Man I don't want to that.

So this got me thinking about what words do we Orthodox use in the Divine Liturgy. You would think I would have these words memorized, but I wanted to check all the same. Now the words we arereferringg too hereoccure during the consecration of the cup and we say the following: "Drink this all of you! This is my blood of the new covenant which is shed for you and for many, for the forgiveness of sins!" So it would appear that we use the proper words. I have checked several English translations and they all say the same thing.

Now not being a language scholar I called upon Fr. Greg and asked him what it says in Greek. his response was the following. The literal translation from the Greek, the original language of the Liturgy, is "for the many" and in English we have dropped the article "the" and just use the words "for many".

So why is all of this important. Like I said, we need to use veryprecisee language in theology other wise we can lead people down the wrong road. I mean if your giving direction and tell some one that you just turn down the street, and there are two ways to go, the person could and would get lost. Perhaps they would guess correctly and take the right turn, but why leave that to chance. The same is true with theology.

The Vatican has decried that all new translation of the Liturgy into English must make this change. So over the next few years these words will find themselves working their way back into the Liturgy. I am sure no one will notice, but I think we will be better off for it in the long run.

Just my two cents worth.

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Entrance of the Mother of God in the Temple

Hebrews 9:1-7
Luke 10:38-42; 11:27-28

Today we celebrate the feast of the Entrance of the Mother of God in the Temple although not a biblical event it is one of the 12 major feast days of the Church. What are we celebrating in this feast? Fr. Thomas Hopko states in his book the Winter Pascha:

"Its purpose is not so much to commemorate an historical happening as to celebrate a dogmatic mystery of the Christian faith, namely, that every human being is made to be a living temple of God." (p 16)

In the entrance into the temple she becomes the new spiritual temple of the indwelling of God that through her we all become in her Son and the Holy Spirit. It is through this that we all become the church. This is the beginning of all that is to come for us as Christians. Sphere: Related Content

26th Sunday After Pentecost

Ephesians 5:8-19
Luke 12:16-21

I believe that this is one of the most misunderstood gospel passages and I get to preach on it today. It speaks of storing up treasures and I think it is a gospel about faith, faith in God and not in your stuff. I also think that what Jesus is getting at here is not that stuff is bad but rather we should not love those things in life that will not last over the stuff that will like the love of God. Simple, yes, but difficult at the same time.
We all love our stuff. Last week people stood out in line for hours to get the new PS3 game thing, that I will admit I know nothing about. I still like the old pong game from my youth. However, here are these people with nothing better to do staying out in all weather just to buy a game. And the worst part of that is that at a Wal-Mart near the village a person was shot waiting in line. The other part of this is that these were not kids standing in line but adults! I would say that these folks love their stuff more and they love God.
An interesting question is do you love your stuff so much that you would be willing to give it all up? Several times in the Gospel Jesus tells us to go sell all we have and give it to the poor. Have we done that? I am sure most of us have not. I know I have not. There is something very comfortable about my stuff, the laptop I am using right now for example. But we must be willing to give it all up.
Another question would be, do we trust God for what we need? How many of us are willing to just say God will provide? I am not saying that we should just lie about and say God will provide, not it won't work trust me I have tried. God gave us talent and we must use that talent, but He will provide. Faith is the theme here of today's Gospel. Faith in God and not in man is what we are getting at.

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Advent

Wednesday of this week the Orthodox Church began the season of Advent. Although we do not really use that term I use it here because people will know what I am talking about. This is the season of preparation and getting ones self ready for the birth of our Savior. Sometimes this season is called Christmas Lent and during this time the orthodox will fast just as one would fast during lent before Easter. There is an article here about fasting and why we fast as we do in the orthodox church. As I have said before, fasting is not the most important part of all of this. Sometimes we get so caught up in all of the mechanics of things that we forget why we are doing them. Advent is a time of preparation we need to be prepared. We are called to holiness as Christians and this time of the year is a good time to stop and look at the things we are doing and why we do them. Confession is another part of this time of year. Try and get yourselves to confession, don't just try, do it. Get there...

Some of the other things I would suggest would be to begin a time of prayer. This does on have to be a long period. If you are not used to this start slow and build up from there. Start with 15 minutes in the morning and maybe another 15 in the evening. Here is another resource for your prayer time. Another thing would be to begin, or continue daily scripture reading. Reading the Word of God each day puts our mind in the right place for the day. I find the morning the best time of day for this to happen. Get yourself a cup of coffee and settle in a good chair and read the readings if the day. Not sure what they are? Check here. Thanks to our friends at the Greek Archdiocese, you don't even need to have a bible, although you should have one.

Arms for the poor. This is one way that we all can participate in the life of the church. Giving to the poor is part of our Christian life and we must do this. There are many ways this can happen. Donate to the local food bank, toys for tots has begun, or donate to a local homeless shelter. Take some of the money that you will spend on toys or other things that will pass away, and donate that money to do something good for someone else.

The last bit of advice I will give is to do all these things with a cherry heart. Don't go around telling people what you are doing, just do them.

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St. Hilda

Abbess, born 614; died 680. Practically speaking, all our knowledge of St. Hilda is derived from the pages of Bede. She was the daughter of Hereric, the nephew of King Edwin of Northumbria, and she seems like her great-uncle to have become a Christian through the preaching of St. Paulinus about the year 627, when she was thirteen years old.
Moved by the example of her sister Hereswith, who, after marrying Ethelhere of East Anglia, became a nun at Chelles in Gaul, Hilda also journeyed to East Anglia, intending to follow her sister abroad. But St. Aidan recalled her to her own country, and after leading a monastic life for a while on the north bank of the Wear and afterwards at Hartlepool, where she ruled a double monastery of monks and nuns with great success, Hilda eventually undertook to set in order a monastery at Streaneshalch, a place to which the Danes a century or two later gave the name of Whitby.
Under the rule of St. Hilda the monastery at Whitby became very famous. The Sacred Scriptures were specially studied there, and no less than five of the inmates became bishops, St. John, Bishop of Hexham, and still more St. Wilfrid, Bishop of York, rendering untold service to the Anglo-Saxon Church at this critical period of the struggle with paganism. Here, in 664, was held the important synod at which King Oswy, convinced by the arguments of St. Wilfrid, decided the observance of Easter and other moot points. St. Hilda herself later on seems to have sided with Theodore against Wilfrid. The fame of St. Hilda's wisdom was so great that from far and near monks and even royal personages came to consult her. Seven years before her death the saint was stricken down with a grievous fever which never left her till she breathed her last, but, in spite of this, she neglected none of her duties to God or to her subjects. She passed away most peacefully after receiving the Holy Viaticum, and the tolling of the monastery bell was heard miraculously at Hackness thirteen miles away, where also a devout nun named Begu saw the soul of St. Hilda borne to heaven by angels.
With St. Hilda is intimately connected the story of Caedmon (q. v.), the sacred bard. When he was brought before St. Hilda she admitted him to take monastic vows in her monastery, where he most piously died.
The cultus of St. Hilda from an early period is attested by the inclusion of her name in the calendar of St. Willibrord, written at the beginning of the eighth century. It was alleged at a later date the remains of St. Hilda were translated to Glastonbury by King Edmund, but this is only part of the "great Glastonbury myth." Another story states that St. Edmund brought her relics to Gloucester. St. Hilda's feast seems to have been kept on 17 November. There are a dozen or more old Egnlish churches dedicated to St. Hilda on the northeast coast and South Shields is probably a corruption of St. Hilda.

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St. Margaret of Scotland

Born about 1045, died 16 Nov., 1092, was a daughter of Edward "Outremere", or "the Exile", by Agatha, kinswoman of Gisela, the wife of St. Stephen of Hungary. She was the granddaughter of Edmund Ironside. A constant tradition asserts that Margaret's father and his brother Edmund were sent to Hungary for safety during the reign of Canute, but no record of the fact has been found in that country. The date of Margaret's birth cannot be ascertained with accuracy, but it must have been between the years 1038, when St. Stephen died, and 1057, when her father returned to England. It appears that Margaret came with him on that occasion and, on his death and the conquest of England by the Normans, her mother Agatha decided to return to the Continent. A storm however drove their ship to Scotland, where Malcolm III received the party under his protection, subsequently taking Margaret to wife. This event had been delayed for a while by Margaret's desire to entire religion, but it took place some time between 1067 and 1070.
In her position as queen, all Margaret's great influence was thrown into the cause of religion and piety. A synod was held, and among the special reforms instituted the most important were the regulation of the Lenten fast, observance of the Easter communion, and the removal of certain abuses concerning marriage within the prohibited degrees. Her private life was given up to constant prayer and practices of piety. She founded several churches, including the Abbey of Dunfermline, built to enshrine her greatest treasure, a relic of the true Cross. Her book of the Gospels, richly adorned with jewels, which one day dropped into a river and was according to legend miraculously recovered, is now in the Bodleian library at Oxford. She foretold the day of her death, which took place at Edinburgh on 16 Nov., 1093, her body being buried before the high altar at Dunfermline.
In 1250 Margaret was canonized by Innocent IV, and her relics were translated on 19 June, 1259, to a new shrine, the base of which is still visible beyond the modern east wall of the restored church. At the Reformation her head passed into the possession of Mary Queen of Scots, and later was secured by the Jesuits at Douai, where it is believed to have perished during the French Revolution. According to George Conn, "De duplici statu religionis apud Scots" (Rome, 1628), the rest of the relics, together with those of Malcolm, were acquired by Philip II of Spain, and placed in two urns in the Escorial. When, however, Bishop Gillies of Edinburgh applied through Pius IX for their restoration to Scotland, they could not be found.
The chief authority for Margaret's life is the contemporary biography printed in "Acta SS.", II, June, 320. Its authorship has been ascribed to Turgot, the saint's confessor, a monk of Durham and later Archbishop of St. Andrews, and also to Theodoric, a somewhat obscure monk; but in spite of much controversy the point remains quite unsettled. The feast of St. Margaret is now observed by the whole Church on 10 June.

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Site Meter

Yesterday I attached site meter to the blog to see where people where coming from and how many people pass by each day. Now I will admit that most people seem to just pass by and maybe take a casual glance at something and that's okay. But I was surprised to see where people are coming from here is the list:

USA

United Kingdom

Canada

Chile

Italy

I was amazed that people are surfing in from all over the world. Now let's see if I can get some Eastern Europeans to stop by.

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Now Romanians Say 'Borat' Misled Them

I happened on to the Drudge Report tonight and saw this story. I had no desire to see this movie and now I have even less of a desire. This is what is wrong with the world today that kind of stupid stuff can be called entertainment. You know that what we would spend to go and see this movie is more money than these people will have in a week. Look at the photos on the website with the story and tell me that there is justice in the world. Hollywood should be ashamed of itself for exploiting these people. It will probably win an Emmy or 2.

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New Dean at Holy Cross

News has reached the village that one of my mentors at Holy Cross in Brookline Fr. Thomas FitzGerald has been appointed Dean of the Seminary. Here is a link to the official announcement. This great news for the seminary. Fr. Tom will replace long time Dean Fr. Clapsis who will remain at the seminary as professor. We all wish Fr. Tom well in his new ministry at Holy Cross.

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Photo from the Monastery

Here is a photo from the monastery. It is from their website and shows the old oratory. Once can see how different the setting is. The new oratory is much larger then the one pictured here. I believe that this room is now the refectory of the monastery.


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Retreat

What a wonderful time I had on retreat. I would recommend to all that you take time to spend a day or two on retreat. As I blogged before I was off to Petersham for a day of rest and relaxation and charging of the spiritual batteries. What a wonderful place. The Monks of the Adoration deserve much thanks and prayers for all they do. The Divine Liturgy is very different at the monastery. It proves to me once again how liturgically diverse the church is. The Maronite rite is one of the 39 rites of the Roman Church of which the Latin rite is the largest and most known.
Aside from all of that, the time to just be in the presence was wonderful and much writing and reading was accomplished. I will try and post a taste of what I have been writing at a latter date.

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Weekend Recap

This was an unusually busy weekend here in the village. I have blogged before, I am the chaplain to the Dudley Fire Dept. Tow of the fire fighters lost their mother last week and Saturday was the funeral. Off to the cemetery after that then back to the rectory for a little office work and church cleaning. Yes, the priest cleans there church here. For the past few weeks I have had some much appreciated help, but I like to putter around in the church and get some things done. Still had some clean up from the bishops visit last weekend.

Sunday was the usual Liturgy, but this wired thing happened. A few months ago I started to preach without notes. I used to script my sermons out and then basically read them, I know no Billy Graham here but it worked for me. Then I decided to try no notes. It is much harder to preach that way I can tell you that. Anyway, as I finished the Gospel I got a whammy from the Holy Spirit and completely changed what I was going to say. I will post some thoughts on that latter on before I forget. After Liturgy I learned of the death of a longtime parish member. Michael was his name and he was just here last week. He did on the street near his house. The funeral will be latter this week. This will only be my third funeral since I have been here. Very sad news. Please remember Michael in your prayers as well as his family. Memory Eternal!

Last night brought Fr. Greg and Pres here for dinner. It was nice to have guests for dinner here at the rectory. I don't entertain that much and it's nice to be able to share a meal and conversation with others. Fr. Greg and Pres are great and I look forward to our next encounter.

Off on retreat for a couple of days this week for some much needed spiritual rest, and some other rest. I am off to the Maronite Monastery in Petersham, Massachusetts. I have been before but only for the day so this will be a nice change. Remember me this week please while I am on retreat as well as I prepare for the funeral.

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St. Devenick

According to The Book of Saint Devenick (1961), St Devenick was one of the last missionaries to be sent out from St Ninian's monastery at Whithorn to minister to the Picts. He penetrated as far north as Caithness where he worked among the wild Catti tribes. It is thought that for many years St Devenick laboured in the North East of Scotland and founded two churches, at Methlick and at Lower Banchory or Banchory-Devenick. St Devenick is comrnemorated at Methlick by a well situated at the north end of the Den of Ardo on the opposite bank of the river Ythan from the village. The well was said to have great powers of healing and annually on St Devenick's Day (13November) it was the scene of pilgrimage.`St Devenick's Fair' took place annually on the second Tuesday of November for generations, and it was an important and well attended event in the life of the community. St Devenick died in the year 877 and is said to have expressed the wish to be buried in his church at Banchory-Devenick.

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St. Brice

There is hope for me yet.

St. Brice was raised by St. Martin of Tours at Marmoutier and also known as Britius. He became a vain, overly ambitious cleric, holding Martin in great contempt. Despite Brice's attitude, Martin was most patient with him, and in time, in great remorse, he asked Martin's forgiveness for his attitude toward him. He succeeded Martin as Bishop of Tours in 397 but reverted to his old ways, neglected his duties, was several times accused of lackness and immorality. Though cleared of the latter charge, he was exiled from his See. He went to Rome and in the seven years of his exile there, repented and completely changed his life style. When the administrator of his See, in his absence died, he returned and ruled with such humility, holiness, and ability, he was venerated as a saint by the time of his death. His feast day is November 13th.

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25th Sunday After Pentecost

Ephesians 4:1-7
Luke 10:25-37

I thought I would blog a little before I head up to the Church for Liturgy. This week on the Eastern Calendar, we begin the fast for St. Philip. This is Advent in the East. We prepare for the Birth of Christ with a fast period. As when we prepare for Easter, this is often called Christmas Lent. However, this fast is often not as severe as the Lent fast is.

So what is this fast all about? Why do we do this? We need to prepare for the Birth of Christ in the same way we would would prepare for anything. How much time do we spend getting ready for a date, or a vacation or some other thing that we might have to prepare for. Last weekend we had a visit from one of our bishops. We prepared for that visit for about 2 weeks. So why not spend some time in spiritual preparation for the coming of the King?

This is a difficult time of year for many people because of all of the celebrations that we will attend during this time of year. Stop and take a moment to prepare yourselves spiritually for the event.

Here are some suggestions:

Pray - Many of you pray I am sure, but set aside a specific time each day to pray for others less fortunate then yourself. There are many needs out there and we do not need to know all of them just pray for those in need.

Scripture reading - there are many sites on the web that list the readings for the week from Scripture. If you look at the website of my parish www.stmichaelorth.org there is a link to the weekly bulletin. Listed in the bulletin each week are the readings for the coming week. I will try and put more resources up this week on the website. Spend a 1/2 hour or maybe even 15 minutes each day with the Word of God.

Alms for the Poor - What a radical concept this is for many of us. There are a variety of ways that you can give to the poor. The Marine Corps League has the Toys for Tots campaign in many communities. Give a toy, or perhaps give some money to the local food bank, or maybe donate some food. Do something that you would not usually do.

Do all things quietly - Don't make a lot of noise about what you are doing. Just do it and know that you did it and that's all that is necessary. No need to let other know what you are doing, that's not while we are doing these things.

Just some random thoughts to prepare for the Great Feast.

Happy Sunday!

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St. Martin of Tours

Today is the feast day of St. Martin of Tours. St. Martin was born in Pannonia of pagan parents around the year 316. He gave up military life and was baptized. Soon after, he founded a monastery at Liguge in France where he led a monastic life under the direction of St. Hillary. He was ordained a priest and chosen bishop of Tours. He provided an example of the ideal good pastor, founding other monasteries, educating the clergy, and preaching the Gospel to the poor. He died in 397.

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Veteran's Day

Although celebrated yesterday today is Veteran's Day. Take some time today to remember those who served in the armed forces of our country and those who are presently serving. Thank a Vet today for keeping us free.

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Pope and the Ecumenical Patriarch

A website has been set up for the historic meeting in Turkey latter this month. You can view it here:


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Wal-Mart Wishes All Merry Christmas

From Yahoo News

US retail giant Wal-Mart pledged to wish its shoppers "Merry Christmas" this year, after provoking ire from Christian activists a year ago for dropping festive greetings.

Wal-Mart said it would downplay the more generic US greeting of "Happy Holidays" this Yuletide and use "Christmas" promiscuously in a barrage of end-of-year publicity. "Whether in the aisles or on the air, online or on TV, Wal-Mart today announced that 'Christmas' and 'value' will dominate its US marketing and in-store initiatives throughout this year's holiday season," the world's biggest store chain said in a statement.

US groups from the powerful religious right last year launched a boycott of Wal-Mart outlets after accusing the retailer of discriminating against the festival celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. The Catholic League said last November that it had found 200 references to the Jewish festival of Hanukkah on Wal-Mart's website, but that a search for "Christmas" redirected readers to the site's "Holiday page".

The League led the boycott after a woman who had e-mailed Wal-Mart to complain about the use of "Happy Holidays" was told that Christmas, among other things, "has its roots in Siberian shamanism". Catholic League spokeswoman Kiera McCaffrey welcomed the change of heart for this Christmas season.

"It shows that Wal-Mart is listening to the public, listening to their shoppers," she told AFP.
"America is an overwhelmingly Christian nation, and the vast majority of people who aren't Christian have absolutely no problem with seeing people celebrating their holiday." Wal-Mart spokeswoman Linda Blakley said the company had seen the error of its ways. "We, quite frankly, have learned a lesson from last year. We're not afraid to use the term 'Merry Christmas'. We'll use it early, and we'll use it often," she told the USA Today newspaper.
Wal-Mart may have bowed to commercial imperatives in refusing to play the Grinch.

Its sales have slowed sharply in recent months due in part to a slowing US economy but also to a strategy of shifting to more chic retail lines in a bid to woo richer customers. The retail titan said a week ago its same-store sales across the United States rose by just 0.5 percent in October compared to the same month of 2005.

This year, it will rename the area of its stores reserved for Yuletide decorations from "The Holiday Shop" to "The Christmas Shop". Santa Claus and "Merry Christmas" gift cards will be on prominent display. And Wal-Mart said its staff are encouraged "to greet customers utilizing various glad tidings inclusive of, but not limited to, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Hanukkah and Feliz Navidad, to name a few".

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Big Day in Massachusetts Follow Up

Yesterday the Great and General Court meet in Constitutional Convention to debate many issues one of which was the same sex marriage question. I thought that this time the process would work, but alas the cowards shirked their responsibility and adjourned before taking a stand on the question.

Like I said yesterday it's not the question, it's the process. More than 127,000 people did not have their voice heard yesterday and that is what bothers me. I think the issue deserves to be heard and voted on, but it would seem that our elected officials do not trust us to do the right thing as they see it. Today, Veterans day, I feel cheated by my elected officials. Yes Comrade that's what I said, Cheated.

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Big Day in Massachusetts

Since my ordination I have tried not to publicly stray into the political arena. Privately I will tell you where I stand on issues but publicly I would not use the pulpit to push people to vote one way or another. Well I guess I do as I preach about what the church teaches. My feeling has always been that if we teach what our respective churches teach then the people will know how to vote. We need to trust our faithful that they will vote how they have been taught. If we don't teach them then they will not know. So I guess in a sense I do preach politics from the pulpit.

Okay, long introduction to the topic os same sex marriage. Today the Great and General Court of Massachusetts will meet in Constitutional Convention and one of the items on the agenda is allowing the people of Massachusetts to vote on this issue. I don't think I need to write about all that has gone in Massachusetts regarding this issue, and not coming down on either side, this is more about the process than the issue itself.

The folks that want the definition of marriage to be between one man and one woman have done all that is required of them. They have collected all the signatures that are needed, and now it is up to the politicians to vote, in two legislative sessions, to allow the question to be placed on the ballot in 2008 so all the residents of Massachusetts can decide. With me so far? All this seems simple. This is how it works here and has worked here for generations. However, it seems the President of the Senate plans to call for a recess so the cowards on Beacon Hill will not have to take stand, that we pay them to do by the way, and let the people vote. If you are so confident that the people will up hold the decision and allow same sex marriage to continue, then let us have our voice. What is the problem. The problem is this, the majority of people in Massachusetts oppose this and want the traditional definition of marriage.

So all we poor peons can do is sit back and wait to see what happens. They were supposed to vote on this before the election, but so it would not be an issue in the election, the postponed the vote until today. LET THE PEOPLE VOTE. I believe the fought a revolution for this right. I believe almost 3,000 American Soldiers have lost their lives in the Middle East to secure this right for others while that right is being taken away from us. LET THE PEOPLE VOTE.

If you live here in the Commonwealth you should be outraged that one man is deciding for all of us what the Constitution of this state will say. It might be too late but start calling.

Okay climbing off my soap box now.

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Election Recap

Well it seems people are still counting ballots in different parts of the country, and the spin masters on both sides of the isle are doing their thing. All that's left now is for the country to come together and maybe get some things done for the people that put them there all we can do now is wait and see what happens.

I think the most impressive thing is that people came out in large numbers and voted. This is a victory for the people who took the time and voted, whoever they voted for. I heard reports of runnig out of ballots in parts of Boston, how crazy is that? So congrats to America today for letting the process work, we had our voice and now we cannot loose it.

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Mom's Birthday

Today is the big day for my mother. My mother has always been there for me and has been my inspiration in many ways that she will never know. Let's say a short prayer for all mother's today they all mean so much to us.

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Election Day

Today is Election Day here in the United States. As Christians we have an obligation to vote and vote for candidates that best support our beliefs as Christians. My prayer today is that we all exercise our precious right and responsibility to vote.

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RSS

Okay, I have been a little hesitant about asking this question as it will show my ignorance, but with is an RSS feed and how does one get it? Be gentle... Sphere: Related Content

Bishop's Visit Part II

Well the weekend is over and all is back to normal, whatever that is. His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian arrived on Saturday for a Great Vespers service that was well attended by many parishioners from the village but also from Worcester and other parishes. Sunday morning saw the Divine Liturgy celebrated an hour latter that usual, boy was that nice, and the church was full. Our friends from St. Nicholas Parish here in Southbridge came to the liturgy with Fr. John and it is nice to serve together. The singing was wonderful and the bishop is so gentle with his directions to us priests that don't usually serve with a bishop.

Many folks we do not usually see come out for this liturgy and it is always nice to have all of our friends attend the Liturgy. Nice banquet after in the hall and the food was great. His Grace left around 4pm to drive to Montreal to attend more meetings and liturgies this week.

One thing I learned this weekend. We need to keep our bishops in our prayers as the cross the country and Canada visiting parishes and the faithful. They log many miles in the air and on the highways. I know the two bishops in our diocese travel alone so the trips can be long. We need to keep them in our prayers.

Good rest yesterday afternoon and now the clean up begins. What a blessing yesterday was. Thanks to all...

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St. Leonard of Limousin

Nothing absolutely certain is known of his history, as his earliest "Life", written in the eleventh century, has no historical value whatever. According to this extraordinary legend, Leonard belonged to a noble Frankish family of the time of King Clovis, and St. Remy of Reims was his godfather. After having secured from the king the release of a great number of prisoners, and refused episcopal honours which Clovis offered him, he entered a monastery at Micy near Orleans. Later he went to Aquitaine and there preached the Gospel. Having obtained, through prayer, a safe delivery for the Queen of the Franks in her confinement, he received as a gift from the king a domain at Noblac, near Limoges, where he founded a monastery. The veneration of this saint is as widely known as his history is obscure and uncertain. It is true that there is no trace of it before the eleventh century, but from that time it spread everywhere, and little by little churches were dedicated to him, not only in France, but in all Western Europe, especially in England, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, more particularly in Bavaria, and also in Bohemia, Poland, and other countries. Pilgrims, among them kings, princes, and high dignitaries of the Church, flocked to Noblac (now St. Leonard). Numerous miracles are attributed to him, and in one small town alone, Inchenhofen, Bavaria, from the fourteenth to the eighteenth century, there are records of about 4000 favours granted through his intercession. The saint wrought the delivery of captives, women in confinement, those possessed of an evil spirit, people and beasts afflicted with diseases. At the end of the eleventh century his name had already become renowned among the Crusaders captured by the Mussulmans. He is generally represented holding chains in his hands. His feast day is celebrated on 6 November.

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Bishop's Visit

Our little parish is honored to be hosting our Vicar Bishop this weekend. His Grace Bishop Ioan Cassian, Vicar Bishop of the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese will be here for visit. Our parish is celebrating it's feast day this week (St. Michael) and as is our tradition, the bishop comes for a visit.

This will be the first visit of his Grace to our little village and we have been cleaning and getting ready all week. Here is the Schedule if you are in the area.

Saturday, November 4th

6pm Great Vespers followed by a small reception in the parish hall

Sunday, November 5th

10am Orthros

11am Divine Liturgy followed by a banquet in the parish hall

If you are local and would like to drop by please do. And, please pray for me this weekend...

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Out Visiting

Yesterday I took a little road trip to Leominster, Massachusetts about an hour north of my little village here. Leominster is in a part of Worcester County known as North County. I went to visit a seminary classmate of mine who is at St. Cecilia's Church. What a wonderful visit. I have not seen Fr. Michael since I graduated and was ordained. He had one more year of study and we lost touch with each other. I feel that it is very important to remain in contact with those who we have known in the past and to hang on to those precious friendships. How many people have come and gone in our lives and we do not stay in contact with?

Fr. Michael is indeed a friend and support and we have re-established our friendship. We were together during those difficult times in seminary and I hope to remain close with him.

Maybe it is time for all of us to renew an old friendship. Give and old friend a call and go have coffee or go see a movie. Just do it! Life is to short to go it alone.

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St. Malachy

St. Malachy, whose family name was O'Morgair, was born in Armagh in 1094. St. Bernard describes him as of noble birth. He was baptized Maelmhaedhoc (a name which has been Latinized as Malachy) and was trained under Imhar O'Hagan, subsequently Abbot of Armagh.

After a long course of studies he was ordained priest by St. Cellach (Celsus) in 1119. In order to perfect himself in sacred liturgy and theology, he proceeded to Lismore, where he spent nearly two years under St. Malchus. He was then chosen Abbot of Bangor, in 1123. A year later, he was consecrated Bishop of Connor, and, in 1132, he was promoted to the primacy of Armagh. St. Bernard gives us many interesting anecdotes regarding St. Malachy, and highly praises his zeal for religion both in Connor and Armagh. In 1127 he paid a second visit to Lismore and acted for a time as confessor to Cormac MacCarthy, Prince of Desmond. While Bishop of Connor he continued to reside at Bangor, and when some of the native princes sacked Connor, he brought the Bangor monks to Iveragh, County Kerry, where they were welcomed by King Cormac. On the death of St. Celsus (who was buried at Lismore in 1129), St. Malachy was appointed Archbishop of Armagh, 1132, which dignity he accepted with great reluctance. Owing to intrigues, he was unable to take possession of his see for two years; even then he had to purchase the Bachal Isu (Staff of Jesus) from Niall, the usurping lay-primate.

During three years at Armagh, as St. Bernard writes, St. Malachy restored the discipline of the Church, grown lax during the intruded rule of a series of lay-abbots, and had the Roman Liturgy adopted. St. Bernard continues: Having extirpated barbarism and re-established Christian morals, seeing all things tranquil he began to think of his own peace. He therefore resigned Armagh, in 1138, and returned to Connor, dividing the see into Down and Connor, retaining the former. He founded a priory of Austin Canons at Downpatrick, and was unceasing in his episcopal labours. Early in 1139 he journeyed to Rome, via Scotland, England, and France, visiting St. Bernard at Clairvaux. He petitioned Pope Innocent for palliums for the Sees of Armagh and Cashel, and was appointed legate for Ireland. On his return visit to Clairvaux he obtained five monks for a foundation in Ireland, under Chirstian, an Irishman, as superior: thus arose the great Abbey of Mellifont in 1142. St. Malachy set out on a second journey to Rome in 1148, but on arriving at Clairvaux he fell sick, and died in the arms of St. Bernard, on 2 November. Numerous miracles are recorded of him, and he was also endowed with the gift of prophecy. St. Malachy was canonized by Pope Clement (III), on 6 July, 1199, and his feast is celebrated on 3 November, in order not to clash with the Feast of All Souls.

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All Soul's Day

Today on the Western calendar is the feast of all Soul's. For those of us in the east, we celebrate this feast on a different day, but the information is still relevant. This is from the Catholic Encyclopedia;

The commemoration of all the faithful departed is celebrated by the Church on 2 November, or, if this be a Sunday or a solemnity, on 3 November. The Office of the Dead must be recited by the clergy and all the Masses are to be of Requiem, except one of the current feast, where this is of obligation.

The theological basis for the feast is the doctrine that the souls which, on departing from the body, are not perfectly cleansed from venial sins, or have not fully atoned for past transgressions, are debarred from the Beatific Vision, and that the faithful on earth can help them by prayers, almsdeeds and especially by the sacrifice of the Mass.

In the early days of Christianity the names of the departed brethren were entered in the diptychs. Later, in the sixth century, it was customary in Benedictine monasteries to hold a commemoration of the deceased members at Whitsuntide. In Spain there was such a day on Saturday before Sexagesima or before Pentecost, at the time of St. Isidore (d. 636). In Germany there existed (according to the testimony of Widukind, Abbot of Corvey, c. 980) a time-honoured ceremony of praying to the dead on 1 October. This was accepted and sanctified by the Church. St. Odilo of Cluny (d. 1048) ordered the commemoration of all the faithful departed to he held annually in the monasteries of his congregation. Thence it spread among the other congregations of the Benedictines and among the Carthusians.

Of the dioceses, Liège was the first to adopt it under Bishop Notger (d. 1008). It is then found in the martyrology of St. Protadius of Besançon (1053-66). Bishop Otricus (1120-25) introduced it into Milan for the 15 October. In Spain, Portugal, and Latin America, priests on this day say three Masses. A similar concession for the entire world was asked of Pope Leo XIII. He would not grant the favour but ordered a special Requiem on Sunday, 30 September, 1888.

In the Greek Rite this commemoration is held on the eve of Sexagesima Sunday, or on the eve of Pentecost. The Armenians celebrate the passover of the dead on the day after Easter.

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All Saints Day

Today on the Western Calendar it is the feast of All Saints. This is from the Catholic encyclopedia in reference to this feast:

Solemnity celebrated on the first of November. It is instituted to honor all the saints, known and unknown, and, according to Urban IV, to supply any deficiencies in the faithful's celebration of saints' feasts during the year.

In the early days the Christians were accustomed to solemnize the anniversary of a martyr's death for Christ at the place of martyrdom. In the fourth century, neighboring dioceses began to interchange feasts, to transfer relics, to divide them, and to join in a common feast; as is shown by the invitation of St. Basil of Caesarea (397) to the bishops of the province of Pontus. Frequently groups of martyrs suffered on the same day, which naturally led to a joint commemoration. In the persecution of Diocletian the number of martyrs became so great that a separate day could not be assigned to each. But the Church, feeling that every martyr should be venerated, appointed a common day for all. The first trace of this we find in Antioch on the Sunday after Pentecost. We also find mention of a common day in a sermon of St. Ephrem the Syrian (373), and in the 74th homily of St. John Chrysostom (407). At first only martyrs and St. John the Baptist were honored by a special day. Other saints were added gradually, and increased in number when a regular process of canonization was established; still, as early as 411 there is in the Chaldean Calendar a "Commemoratio Confessorum" for the Friday after Easter. In the West Boniface IV, 13 May, 609, or 610, consecrated the Pantheon in Rome to the Blessed Virgin and all the martyrs, ordering an anniversary. Gregory III (731-741) consecrated a chapel in the Basilica of St. Peter to all the saints and fixed the anniversary for 1 November. A basilica of the Apostles already existed in Rome, and its dedication was annually remembered on 1 May. Gregory IV (827-844) extended the celebration on 1 November to the entire Church. The vigil seems to have been held as early as the feast itself. The octave was added by Sixtus IV (1471-84).

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