Saturday, May 30, 2009

La Pentecote Dimanche Marocaine: "Emittes spiritum tuum, et creabuntur, et renovabis faciem terrae."

1 Benedic, anima mea, Domino.
Domine Deus meus, magnificatus es vehementer!
Maiestatem et decorem induisti,
2 amictus lumine sicut vestimento.
Extendens caelum sicut velum,
3 qui exstruis in aquis cenacula tua.Qui ponis nubem ascensum tuum,
qui ambulas super pennas ventorum.
4 Qui facis angelos tuos spiritus
et ministros tuos ignem urentem.
5 Qui fundasti terram super stabilitatem suam,
non inclinabitur in saeculum saeculi.
6 Abyssus sicut vestimentum operuit eam,
super montes stabant aquae.
7 Ab increpatione tua fugiunt,
a voce tonitrui tui formidant.
8 Ascendunt in montes et descendunt in valles,

in locum, quem statuisti eis.
9 Terminum posuisti, quem non transgredientur,
neque convertentur operire terram.
10 Qui emittis fontes in torrentes;
inter medium montium pertransibunt,
11 potabunt omnes bestias agri,
exstinguent onagri sitim suam.
12 Super ea volucres caeli habitabunt,
de medio ramorum dabunt voces.
13 Rigas montes de cenaculis tuis,
de fructu operum tuorum satias terram.
14 Producis fenum iumentis
et herbam servituti hominum,
educens panem de terra
15 et vinum, quod laetificat cor hominis;
exhilarans faciem in oleo,
panis autem cor hominis confirmat.
16 Saturabuntur ligna Domini
et cedri Libani, quas plantavit.
17 Illic passeres nidificabunt,
erodii domus in vertice earum.
18 Montes excelsi cervis,
petrae refugium hyracibus.
19 Fecit lunam ad tempora signanda,
sol cognovit occasum suum.
20 Posuisti tenebras, et facta est nox:
in ipsa reptabunt omnes bestiae silvae,
21 catuli leonum rugientes, ut rapiant
et quaerant a Deo escam sibi.
22 Oritur sol, et congregantur
et in cubilibus suis recumbunt.
23 Exit homo ad opus suum
et ad operationem suam usque ad vesperum.
24 Quam multiplicata sunt opera tua, Domine!
Omnia in sapientia fecisti,
impleta est terra creatura tua.
25 Hoc mare magnum et spatiosum et latum:
illic reptilia, quorum non est numerus,
animalia pusilla cum magnis;
26 illic naves pertransibunt,
Leviathan, quem formasti ad ludendum cum eo.
27 Omnia a te exspectant,
ut des illis escam in tempore suo.
28 Dante te illis, colligent,
aperiente te manum tuam, implebuntur bonis.
29 Avertente autem te faciem, turbabuntur;
auferes spiritum eorum, et deficient
et in pulverem suum revertentur.
30 Emittes spiritum tuum, et creabuntur,
et renovabis faciem terrae.
31 Sit gloria Domini in saeculum;
laetetur Dominus in operibus suis.
32 Qui respicit terram et facit eam tremere,
qui tangit montes, et fumigant.
33 Cantabo Domino in vita mea,
psallam Deo meo quamdiu sum.
34 Iucundum sit ei eloquium meum,
ego vero delectabor in Domino.
35 Deficiant peccatores a terra
et iniqui, ita ut non sint.
Benedic, anima mea, Domino.



(Photos from Morocco, top to bottom, by blog author: Atlantic surf near Tan Tan, valley between Agadir and Tan Tan, Argan tree, sunset over military camp along southern coast desert, Navy corpsmen and Marine at work in field medical unit, serpent tracks in sand. Blog author is currently on military deployment to Morocco. See A Priest Life for more photos and details of trip to African desert and coastal city of Agadir.)

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Tempus Ascensionis: "Ascendísti in altum, cepísti captivitátem"


67:12 Dóminus dabit verbum evangelizántibus, * virtúte multa.
67:13 Rex virtútum dilécti dilécti: * et spéciei domus divídere spólia.
67:14 Si dormiátis inter médios cleros, pennæ colúmbæ deargentátæ, * et posterióra dorsi ejus in pallóre auri.
67:15 Dum discérnit cæléstis reges super eam, nive dealbabúntur in Selmon: * mons Dei, mons pinguis.
67:16 Mons coagulátus, mons pinguis: * ut quid suspicámini montes coagulátos?
67:17 Mons, in quo beneplácitum est Deo habitáre in eo: * étenim Dóminus habitábit in finem.
67:18 Currus Dei decem míllibus múltiplex, míllia lætántium: * Dóminus in eis in Sina in sancto.
67:19 Ascendísti in altum, cepísti captivitátem: * accepísti dona in homínibus.
67:20 Étenim non credéntes, * inhabitáre Dóminum Deum.
67:21 Benedíctus Dóminus die quotídie: * prósperum iter fáciet nobis Deus salutárium nostrórum.
67:22 Deus noster, Deus salvos faciéndi: * et Dómini Dómini éxitus mortis.
67:23 Verúmtamen Deus confrínget cápita inimicórum suórum: * vérticem capílli perambulántium in delíctis suis.
67:24 Dixit Dóminus: Ex Basan convértam, * convértam in profúndum maris:
67:24 Ut intingátur pes tuus in sánguine: * lingua canum tuórum ex inimícis, ab ipso.

-- Psalmus 67(12-24), Feria V ante vigiliam Pentecostes

(Art: David Teniers the Younger (1610 - 1690), After Leandro Bassano: The Ascension. Belgium, c. 1651 - 1656 . Painting, Oil on oak panel. Wallace Collection.)

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Moroccan Atlantic coast: "Et státuit super petram pedes meos"

39:1 Exspéctans exspectávi Dóminum, * et inténdit mihi.
39:2 Et exaudívit preces meas: * et edúxit me de lacu misériæ, et de luto fæcis.
39:3 Et státuit super petram pedes meos: * et diréxit gressus meos.
39:4 Et immísit in os meum cánticum novum, * carmen Deo nostro.
39:5 Vidébunt multi, et timébunt: * et sperábunt in Dómino.
39:6 Beátus vir, cujus est nomen Dómini spes ejus: * et non respéxit in vanitátes et insánias falsas.
39:7 Multa fecísti tu, Dómine, Deus meus, mirabília tua: * et cogitatiónibus tuis non est qui símilis sit tibi.
39:8 Annuntiávi et locútus sum: * multiplicáti sunt super númerum.
39:9 Sacrifícium et oblatiónem noluísti: * aures autem perfecísti mihi.
39:9 Holocáustum et pro peccáto non postulásti: * tunc dixi: Ecce, vénio.
39:9 In cápite libri scriptum est de me ut fácerem voluntátem tuam: * Deus meus, vólui, et legem tuam in médio cordis mei.
-- Psalmus 39(1-9), Feria tertia ad Tertiam, Breviarium Romanum

(Author on rocky Atlantic coast of Morocco. For more photos and trip blog visit A Priest Life.)

Saturday, May 16, 2009

U.S. Navy and Marines: "Qui descéndunt mare in návibus, faciéntes operatiónem in aquis multis."

106:15 Confiteántur Dómino misericórdiæ ejus: * et mirabília ejus fíliis hóminum.
106:16 Quia contrívit portas æreas: * et vectes férreos confrégit.
106:17 Suscépit eos de via iniquitátis eórum: * propter injustítias enim suas humiliáti sunt.
106:18 Omnem escam abomináta est ánima eórum: * et appropinquavérunt usque ad portas mortis.
106:19 Et clamavérunt ad Dóminum cum tribularéntur: * et de necessitátibus eórum liberávit eos.
106:20 Misit verbum suum, et sanávit eos: * et erípuit eos de interitiónibus eórum.
106:21 Confiteántur Dómino misericórdiæ ejus: * et mirabília ejus fíliis hóminum.
106:22 Et sacríficent sacrifícium laudis: * et annúntient ópera ejus in exsultatióne.
106:23 Qui descéndunt mare in návibus, * faciéntes operatiónem in aquis multis.
106:24 Ipsi vidérunt ópera Dómini, * et mirabília ejus in profúndo.
106:25 Dixit, et stetit spíritus procéllæ: * et exaltáti sunt fluctus ejus.
106:26 Ascéndunt usque ad cælos, et descéndunt usque ad abýssos: * ánima eórum in malis tabescébat.
106:27 Turbáti sunt, et moti sunt sicut ébrius: * et omnis sapiéntia eórum devoráta est.
106:28 Et clamavérunt ad Dóminum cum tribularéntur: * et de necessitátibus eórum edúxit eos.
106:29 Et státuit procéllam ejus in auram: * et siluérunt fluctus ejus.
106:30 Et lætáti sunt quia siluérunt: * et dedúxit eos in portum voluntátis eórum
--Psalmus 106(15-30), Sabbato ad Matutinum, Breviarium Romanum

To follow my deployment to Africa visit A Priest Life.

(Photo: View of the coastline at Agadir, Morocco.)

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Benedict at Nazareth: "Audíte verbum Dómini...Tunc lætábitur virgo"

(Canticum Jeremiae * Jer 31:10-14)
31:10 Audíte verbum Dómini, gentes, * et annuntiáte in ínsulis, quæ procul sunt,
31:11 Et dícite: Qui dispérsit Israël, congregábit eum: * et custódiet eum sicut pastor gregem suum.
31:12 Redémit enim Dóminus Jacob, * et liberávit eum de manu potentióris.
31:13 Et vénient, et laudábunt in monte Sion: * et cónfluent ad bona Dómini,
31:14 Super fruménto, et vino, et óleo, * et foetu pécorum et armentórum:
31:15 Erítque ánima eórum quasi hortus irríguus, * et ultra non esúrient.
31:16 Tunc lætábitur virgo in choro, * júvenes et senes simul:
31:17 Et convértam luctum eórum in gáudium, * et consolábor eos, et lætificábo a dolóre suo.
31:18 Et inebriábo ánimam sacerdótum pinguédine: * et pópulus meus bonis meis adimplébitur.



(Photo: Benedict visits the Basilica of the Annunciation, Nazareth.)

Travel: "Si ascendero in caelum, tu illic es...Si sumpsero pennas dilúculo"

138:1 Dómine, probásti me, et cognovísti me: * tu cognovísti sessiónem meam, et resurrectiónem meam.
138:2 Intellexísti cogitatiónes meas de longe: * sémitam meam, et funículum meum investigásti.
138:3 Et omnes vias meas prævidísti: * quia non est sermo in lingua mea.
138:4 Ecce, Dómine, tu cognovísti ómnia novíssima, et antíqua: * tu formásti me, et posuísti super me manum tuam.
138:5 Mirábilis facta est sciéntia tua ex me: * confortáta est, et non pótero ad eam.
138:6 Quo ibo a spíritu tuo? * et quo a fácie tua fúgiam?
138:7 Si ascéndero in cælum, tu illic es: * si descéndero in inférnum, ades.
138:8 Si súmpsero pennas meas dilúculo, * et habitávero in extrémis maris:
138:9 Étenim illuc manus tua dedúcet me: * et tenébit me déxtera tua.
138:10 Et dixi: Fórsitan ténebræ conculcábunt me: * et nox illuminátio mea in delíciis meis.
138:11 Quia ténebræ non obscurabúntur a te, et nox sicut dies illuminábitur: * sicut ténebræ ejus, ita et lumen ejus.
138:12 Quia tu possedísti renes meos: * suscepísti me de útero matris meæ.



-- Please pray for travelers.

(Photo by Sergey Rimsha.)

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Benedict celebrates Holy Mass in Josafat Valley: "Pax super Israël"

124:1 Qui confídunt in Dómino, sicut mons Sion: * non commovébitur in ætérnum, qui hábitat in Jerúsalem.
124:2 Montes in circúitu ejus: * et Dóminus in circúitu pópuli sui, ex hoc nunc et usque in sæculum.
124:3 Quia non relínquet Dóminus virgam peccatórum super sortem justórum: * ut non exténdant justi ad iniquitátem manus suas.
124:4 Bénefac, Dómine, bonis, * et rectis corde.
124:5 Declinántes autem in obligatiónes addúcet Dóminus cum operántibus iniquitátem: * pax super Israël.
-- Psalmus 124, Ad Vesperam, Ss. Nerei, Achillei et Domitillae Virgini atque Pancratii Martyrum, Breviarium Romanum


Photo: Pope Benedict XVI celebrates a holy mass at the Kidron (Josafat) Valley on May 12, 2009 in Jerusalem, Israel. The pope earlier visited the Dome of the Rock, a Muslim shrine just above the Western Wall. The pontiff stays in Israel for the second leg on the fifth day of his eight-day Holy Land pilgrimage. Around 2200 believers take part at this mass. (Photo by Carsten Koall/Getty Images)

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Benedict in Amman, Jordan: "Ego sum peregrinus, sicut omnes patres"

38:1 Dixi, Custódiam vias meas: * ut non delínquam in lingua mea.
38:2 Pósui ori meo custódiam, * cum consísteret peccátor advérsum me.
38:3 Obmútui, et humiliátus sum, et sílui a bonis: * et dolor meus renovátus est.
38:4 Concáluit cor meum intra me: * et in meditatióne mea exardéscet ignis.
38:5 Locútus sum in lingua mea: * Notum fac mihi, Dómine, finem meum.
38:6 Et númerum diérum meórum quis est: * ut sciam quid desit mihi.
38:7 Ecce mensurábiles posuísti dies meos: * et substántia mea tamquam níhilum ante te.
38:8 Verúmtamen univérsa vánitas, * omnis homo vivens.
38:9 Verúmtamen in imágine pertránsit homo: * sed et frustra conturbátur.
38:10 Thesaurízat: * et ignórat cui congregábit ea.
38:11 Et nunc quæ est exspectátio mea? Nonne Dóminus? * Et substántia mea apud te est.
38:12 Ab ómnibus iniquitátibus meis érue me: * oppróbrium insipiénti dedísti me.
38:13 Obmútui, et non apérui os meum, quóniam tu fecísti: * ámove a me plagas tuas.
38:14 A fortitúdine manus tuæ ego deféci in increpatiónibus: * propter iniquitátem corripuísti hóminem.
38:15 Et tabéscere fecísti sicut aráneam ánimam ejus: * verúmtamen vane conturbátur omnis homo.
38:16 Exáudi oratiónem meam, Dómine, et deprecatiónem meam: * áuribus pércipe lácrimas meas.
38:17 Ne síleas: quóniam ádvena ego sum apud te, et peregrínus, * sicut omnes patres mei.
38:18 Remítte mihi, ut refrígerer priúsquam ábeam, * et ámplius non ero.

--
-- Psalmus 38 , Feria teria as Matutinum, Breviarium Romanum

Photo: Pope Benedict XVI (C) addresses Muslim leaders at King Hussein Bin Talal mosque in Amman May 9, 2009. Pope Benedict retraced the steps of Moses on Saturday, visiting the mountain where the Bible says the ancient prophet glimpsed the Promised Land before dying, and preached that religion helps man search for truth. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah (JORDAN RELIGION POLITICS)

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Dominica IV Post Pascha

Epistle: James 1: 17-21; Gospel: John 16: 5-14

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The resurrected Lord departs from earth by ascending to the right of the Father that God's plan for us may reach its completion. "But now I am going to him who sent me...it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go I will send him to you." (Jn 16: 5, 7) The Holy Spirit will be the presence of God in the Church, guiding the Church and giving it life until the end of the world: "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you." (Jn 16: 13-14)

When he proclaims and promises the coming of the Holy Spirit, Jesus calls him the 'Paraclete,' literally, 'he who is called to one's side,' ad-vocatus. (Jn 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7) 'Paraclete' is commonly translated by 'consoler,' and Jesus is the first consoler. (Cf. 1 Jn 2:1) The Lord also called the Holy Spirit 'the Spirit of truth.' (Jn 16:13) (CCC 692)

The Holy Spirit dwells in the Church in many ways. The Catechism enumerates eight principal works of the indwelling Spirit, "the Lord, the giver of life":

"The Church, a communion living in the faith of the apostles which she transmits, is the place where we know the Holy Spirit:

-in the Scriptures he inspired;

-in the Tradition, to which the Church Fathers are always timely witnesses;

-in the Church's Magisterium, which he assists;

-in the sacramental liturgy, through its words and symbols, in which the Holy Spirit puts us into communion with Christ;

-in prayer, wherein he intercedes for us;

-in the charisms and ministries by which the Church is built up;

-in the signs of apostolic and missionary life;

-in the witness of saints through whom he manifests his holiness and continues the work of salvation."

Invoke the Holy Spirit as Lord of your life in prayer, that all your thoughts, words and deeds may be of divine truth and a foretaste everlasting life. "Come, Holy Spirit!"

I look forward to meeting you here again next week as, together, we "meet Christ in the liturgy", Father Cusick

Meeting Christ in the Liturgy (Publish with permission. )

Friday, May 8, 2009

Monte San Angelo: "Hic est Michael Archangelus, princeps militiae Angelorum."

* Cujus honor praestat beneficia populorum, et oratio perducit ad regna coelorum, alleluia.
V. Archangelus Michael praepesitus paradisi, quem honorificant Angelorum cives.
R. Cujus honor praestat beneficia populorum, et oratio perducit ad regna coelorum, alleluia.


That the blessed Archangel Michael hath oftentimes been seen of men is attested on the authority of the Holy Bible, and also by the ancient traditions of the Saints. For this reason such visions are held in remembrance in many places. As of old time did the Synagogue of the Jews, so now doth the Church of God venerate Michael as her watcher and defender. But during the Popedom of Gelasius I. the summit of Mount Gargano in Apulia, at whose foot lieth the town of Siponto, was the scene of an extraordinary appearance of this same Archangel Michael.


(Photo: Shrine of Monte San Angelo, Italy. For more, visit here.)

Benedict in Jordan: "Oremus pro beatissimo Papa nostro"







Oremus pro beatissimo Papa nostro Benedicto. Dominus conservet eum, et vivificet eum, et beatum faciat eum in terra, et non tradat eum in animam inimicorum eius.

(Photo Reuters Pictures : Jordan's King Abdullah (R) welcomes Pope Benedict XVI upon his arrival at Queen Alia International airport in Amman May 8, 2009. Pope Benedict arrived in Amman on Friday on a tour of Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian territories that will test his diplomatic skills.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Sistine Chapel: "Ástitit regína a dextris tuis in vestítu deauráto: circúmdata varietáte.

44:1 Eructávit cor meum verbum bonum: * dico ego ópera mea Regi
44:2 Lingua mea cálamus scribæ: * velóciter scribéntis.
44:3 Speciósus forma præ fíliis hóminum, diffúsa est grátia in lábiis tuis: * proptérea benedíxit te Deus in ætérnum.
44:4 Accíngere gládio tuo super femur tuum, * potentíssime.
44:5 Spécie tua et pulchritúdine tua: * inténde, próspere procéde, et regna.
44:6 Propter veritátem, et mansuetúdinem, et justítiam: * et dedúcet te mirabíliter déxtera tua.
44:7 Sagíttæ tuæ acútæ, pópuli sub te cadent: * in corde inimicórum Regis.
44:8 Sedes tua, Deus, in sæculum sæculi: * virga directiónis virga regni tui.
44:9 Dilexísti justítiam, et odísti iniquitátem: * proptérea unxit te, Deus, Deus tuus, óleo lætítiæ præ consórtibus tuis.
44:10 Myrrha, et gutta, et cásia a vestiméntis tuis, a dómibus ebúrneis: * ex quibus delectavérunt te fíliæ regum in honóre tuo.
44:10 Ástitit regína a dextris tuis in vestítu deauráto: * circúmdata varietáte.
44:11 Audi fília, et vide, et inclína aurem tuam: * et oblivíscere populum tuum et domum patris tui.
44:12 Et concupíscet Rex decórem tuum: * quóniam ipse est Dóminus Deus tuus, et adorábunt eum.
44:13 Et fíliæ Tyri in munéribus * vultum tuum deprecabúntur: omnes dívites plebis.
44:14 Omnis glória ejus fíliæ Regis ab intus, * in fímbriis áureis circumamícta varietátibus.
44:15 Adducéntur Regi vírgines post eam: * próximæ ejus afferéntur tibi.
44:16 Afferéntur in lætítia et exsultatióne: * adducéntur in templum Regis.
44:17 Pro pátribus tuis nati sunt tibi fílii: * constítues eos príncipes super omnem terram.
44:18 Mémores erunt nóminis tui: * in omni generatióne et generatiónem.
44:18 Proptérea pópuli confitebúntur tibi in ætérnum: * et in sæculum sæculi.

-- Psalmus 44 , Ad Matutinum, S. Joannis Apostoli ante portam Latinam

(Photo: Michelangelo, Detail of Sistine Chapel Final Judgment before recent restoration. Courtesy of Christus Rex.)

Monday, May 4, 2009

O Dómine, quia ego servus tuus...et fílius ancíllæ tuæ.

115:1 Crédidi, propter quod locútus sum: * ego autem humiliátus sum nimis.
115:2 Ego dixi in excéssu meo: * Omnis homo mendax.
115:3 Quid retríbuam Dómino, * pro ómnibus, quæ retríbuit mihi?
115:4 Cálicem salutáris accípiam: * et nomen Dómini invocábo.
115:5 Vota mea Dómino reddam coram omni pópulo ejus: * pretiósa in conspéctu Dómini mors sanctórum ejus:
115:6
O Dómine, quia ego servus tuus: * ego servus tuus, et fílius ancíllæ tuæ.
115:7 Dirupísti víncula mea: * tibi sacrificábo hóstiam laudis, et nomen Dómini invocábo.
115:8 Vota mea Dómino reddam in conspéctu omnis pópuli ejus: * in átriis domus Dómini, in médio tui, Jerúsalem.


(Art: Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres. The Virgin of the Host. 1854. Oil on canvas. Musée d'Orsay, Paris, France. Deposit from Louvre.)

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Dominica II Post Pascha: "Modicum, et iam non videbitis me"."

Epistle: 1 Peter 2:11-19; Gospel: St. John 16. 16-22

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The Easter mystery is completed in Christ's glorious ascension to the Father's right hand: "a little while and you will not see me." (Jn 16:19) But he will come again to judge the living and the dead: "and again a little while and you will see me."(Jn 16:19) The Christian who lives in expectation of Christ's second coming will experience the hardships of being set apart from the world, of living a life of detachment from the world: "you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will sorrow but your sorrow will turn into joy." (Jn 16: 20) The discipline of the Christian life is not a punishment but a safeguard, that the eternal joys of life with the Triune God may not be lost for the sake of sin and its temporary and deceitful pleasures.

Before Christ's second coming the Church must pass through a final trial that will shake the faith of many believers. (Cf. Lk 18:8; Mt 24:12) The persecution that accompanies her pilgrimage on earth (Cf. Lk 21:12; Jn 15:19-20) will unveil the mystery of iniquity in the form of a religious deception offering men an apparent solution to their problems at the price of apostasy from the truth. The supreme religious deception is that of the Antichrist, a pseudo-messianism by which man glorifies himself in place of God and of his Messiah come in the flesh. (Cf. 2 Thess 2:4-12; 1 Thess 5:2-3; 2 Jn 7; 1 Jn 2:18, 22)" (CCC 675)

The world offers false joys and hopes by holding out the Antichrists of sexual pleasure, the cult of the body, the materialistic cults of the new age and worship of creation in place of God. Sometimes those who follow these errors may seem to be joyful while Christians who submit to God's discipline according to the truth may seem sad. How different all will be on the day when the secrets of hearts will be revealed. The authentic Christian submits in custody of the heart to the virtues of faith, hope and love. These gifts of God do not fail us and will surely lead us to behold the Lord face to face forever.

I look forward to meeting you here again next week as, together, we "meet Christ in the liturgy"---Father Cusick

Meeting Christ in the Liturgy
(Publish with permission.)