Mary Ann Glendon: "Non sedi cum concílio vanitátis: * et cum iníqua geréntibus non introíbo."

25:1 Júdica me, Dómine, quóniam ego in innocéntia mea ingréssus sum: * et in Dómino sperans non infirmábor.
25:2 Proba me, Dómine, et tenta me: * ure renes meos et cor meum.
25:3 Quóniam misericórdia tua ante óculos meos est: * et complácui in veritáte tua.
25:4 Non sedi cum concílio vanitátis: * et cum iníqua geréntibus non introíbo.
25:5 Odívi ecclésiam malignántium: * et cum ímpiis non sedébo.
25:6 Lavábo inter innocéntes manus meas: * et circúmdabo altáre tuum, Dómine:
25:7 Ut áudiam vocem laudis, * et enárrem univérsa mirabília tua.
25:8 Dómine, diléxi decórem domus tuæ, * et locum habitatiónis glóriæ tuæ.
25:9 Ne perdas cum ímpiis, Deus, ánimam meam, * et cum viris sánguinum vitam meam:
25:10 In quorum mánibus iniquitátes sunt: * déxtera eórum repléta est munéribus.
25:11 Ego autem in innocéntia mea ingréssus sum: * rédime me, et miserére mei.
25:12 Pes meus stetit in dirécto: * in ecclésiis benedícam te, Dómine.

-- Psalmus 25 , Feria quarta ad Primam, Breviarium Romanum

(Mary Ann Glendon has ennobled Notre Dame's Laetare Medal by declining it. Father Jenkins responds by "dumpster diving". More on the "NotreShame FaithWreck" here.)

Benedict at L'Aquila: "Deus noster refúgium, et virtus: * adjútor in tribulatiónibus, quæ invenérunt nos nimis."

45:1 Deus noster refúgium, et virtus: * adjútor in tribulatiónibus, quæ invenérunt nos nimis.
45:2 Proptérea non timébimus dum turbábitur terra: * et transferéntur montes in cor maris.
45:3 Sonuérunt, et turbátæ sunt aquæ eórum: * conturbáti sunt montes in fortitúdine ejus.
45:4 Flúminis ímpetus lætíficat civitátem Dei: * sanctificávit tabernáculum suum Altíssimus.
45:5 Deus in médio ejus, non commovébitur: * adjuvábit eam Deus mane dilúculo.
45:6 Conturbátæ sunt Gentes, et inclináta sunt regna: * dedit vocem suam, mota est terra.
45:7 Dóminus virtútum nobíscum: * suscéptor noster Deus Jacob.
45:8 Veníte, et vidéte ópera Dómini, quæ pósuit prodígia super terram: * áuferens bella usque ad finem terræ.
45:9 Arcum cónteret, et confrínget arma: * et scuta combúret igni.
45:10 Vacáte, et vidéte quóniam ego sum Deus: * exaltábor in Géntibus, et exaltábor in terra.
45:11 Dóminus virtútum nobíscum: * suscéptor noster Deus Jacob.

-- Psalmus 45 , Feria quarta ad Matutinum, Breviarium Romanum

(Photo by Alessandro Di Meo/European Pressphoto Agency: The Holy Father visits the earthquake zone in central Italy. More on the story here.)

Swine flu in Mexico: "amove a me plagas tuas...Exáudi oratiónem meam, Dómine"

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 tertia ad Matutinum, Breviarium Romanum

(AP Photo: Mexico City residents wear face masks inside a closed door mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral, Sunday, April 26, 2009. Churches stood empty in Mexico City after services were canceled, and health workers screened airports and bus stations for people sickened by a new strain of swine flu. Story and photos here.)

"Quasi próximum, et quasi fratrem nostrum, sic complacébam: quasi lugens et contristátus, sic humiliábar."

Júdica, Dómine, nocéntes me, * expúgna impugnántes me.
Apprehénde arma et scutum: * et exsúrge in adjutórium mihi.
Effúnde frámeam, et conclúde advérsus eos, qui persequúntur me: * dic ánimæ meæ: Salus tua ego sum.
Confundántur et revereántur, * quæréntes ánimam meam.
Avertántur retrórsum, et confundántur * cogitántes mihi mala.
Fiant tamquam pulvis ante fáciem venti: * et Ángelus Dómini coárctans eos.
Fiat via illórum ténebræ et lúbricum: * et Ángelus Dómini pérsequens eos.
Quóniam gratis abscondérunt mihi intéritum láquei sui: * supervácue exprobravérunt ánimam meam.
Véniat illi láqueus, quem ignórat: et cáptio, quam abscóndit, apprehéndat eum: * et in láqueum cadat in ipsum.
Ánima autem mea exsultábit in Dómino: * et delectábitur super salutári suo.
Omnia ossa mea dicent: * Dómine, quis símilis tibi?
Erípiens ínopem de manu fortiórum ejus: * egénum et páuperem a diripiéntibus eum.
Surgéntes testes iníqui, * quæ ignorábam interrogábant me.
Retribuébant mihi mala pro bonis: * sterilitátem ánimæ meæ.
Ego autem cum mihi molésti essent, * induébar cilício.
Humiliábam in jejúnio ánimam meam: * et orátio mea in sinu meo convertétur.
Quasi próximum, et quasi fratrem nostrum, sic complacébam: * quasi lugens et contristátus, sic humiliábar.
Et advérsum me lætáti sunt, et convenérunt: * congregáta sunt super me flagélla, et ignorávi.
Dissipáti sunt, nec compúncti, tentavérunt me, subsannavérunt me subsannatióne: * frenduérunt super me déntibus suis.
Dómine, quando respícies? * restítue ánimam meam a malignitáte eórum, a leónibus únicam meam.

-- Psalmus 34, Feria tertia ad Matutinum, Breviarium Romanum

(Photo: Wear Black on May 17, 2009 like Father Zuhlsdorf does. Kindly send an email to frz@wdtprs.com to thank him for supporting the "Wear Black 17 May" campaign to protest the scandal at "Notre Shame", to stand in solidarity with all preborn human beings at risk and to protest all crimes against human life.)

Mexico City: "Laudans invocábo Dóminum...Circumdedérunt me dolóres mortis"

17:1 Díligam te, Dómine, fortitúdo mea: * Dóminus firmaméntum meum, et refúgium meum, et liberátor meus.
17:2 Deus meus adjútor meus, * et sperábo in eum.
17:3 Protéctor meus, et cornu salútis meæ, * et suscéptor meus.
17:4 Laudans invocábo Dóminum: * et ab inimícis meis salvus ero.
17:5 Circumdedérunt me dolóres mortis: * et torréntes iniquitátis conturbavérunt me.
17:6 Dolóres inférni circumdedérunt me: * præoccupavérunt me láquei mortis.
17:7 In tribulatióne mea invocávi Dóminum, * et ad Deum meum clamávi.
17:8 Et exaudívit de templo sancto suo vocem meam: * et clamor meus in conspéctu ejus, introívit in aures ejus.
17:9 Commóta est, et contrémuit terra: * fundaménta móntium conturbáta sunt, et commóta sunt, quóniam irátus est eis.
17:10 Ascéndit fumus in ira ejus: et ignis a fácie ejus exársit: * carbónes succénsi sunt ab eo.
17:11 Inclinávit cælos, et descéndit: * et calígo sub pédibus ejus.
17:12 Et ascéndit super Chérubim, et volávit: * volávit super pennas ventórum.
17:13 Et pósuit ténebras latíbulum suum, in circúitu ejus tabernáculum ejus: * tenebrósa aqua in núbibus áëris.
17:14 Præ fulgóre in conspéctu ejus nubes transiérunt, * grando et carbónes ignis.
17:15 Et intónuit de cælo Dóminus, et Altíssimus dedit vocem suam: * grando et carbónes ignis.
17:16 Et misit sagíttas suas, et dissipávit eos: * fúlgura multiplicávit, et conturbávit eos.
17:16 Et apparuérunt fontes aquárum, * et reveláta sunt fundaménta orbis terrárum:
17:16 Ab increpatióne tua, Dómine, * ab inspiratióne spíritus iræ tuæ.

-- Psalmus 17(1-16) , Feria secunda ad Matutinum, Breviarium Romanum

(Sisters in Mexico City protect themselves from the swine flu epidemic. Churches were closed across the city on Sunday to stem the spread of the killer disease.)

Dominica II Post Pascha: "Ego sum Pastor bonus"

The Good Shepherd has appointed a Vicar on earth to serve the flock of today, the universal Church.

"Jesus entrusted a specific authority to Peter: 'I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.' (Mt 16:19) The 'power of the keys' designates authority to govern the house of God, which is the Church. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, confirmed this mandate after his Resurrection: 'Feed my sheep.' (Jn 21:15-17; cf. 10:11) The power to 'bind and loose' connotes the authority to absolve sins, to pronounce doctrinal judgments, and to make disciplinary decisions in the Church. Jesus entrusted this authority to the Church through the ministry of Peter, the only one to whom he specifically entrusted the keys of the kingdom."

-- CCC 553

Meeting Christ in the Liturgy offers a reflection for Dominica II Post Pascha.

(Art: Pietro Perugino, Christ Handing the Keys to St Peter, 1481-82 Fresco, 335 x 550 cm,
Cappella Sistina, Vaticano.)

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

Eructávit cor meum verbum bonum: * dico ego ópera mea Regi
Lingua mea cálamus scribæ: * velóciter scribéntis.
Speciósus forma præ fíliis hóminum, diffúsa est grátia in lábiis tuis: * proptérea benedíxit te Deus in ætérnum.
Accíngere gládio tuo super femur tuum, * potentíssime.
Spécie tua et pulchritúdine tua: * inténde, próspere procéde, et regna.
Propter veritátem, et mansuetúdinem, et justítiam: * et dedúcet te mirabíliter déxtera tua.
Sagíttæ tuæ acútæ, pópuli sub te cadent: * in corde inimicórum Regis.
Sedes tua, Deus, in sæculum sæculi: * virga directiónis virga regni tui.
Dilexísti justítiam, et odísti iniquitátem: * proptérea unxit te, Deus, Deus tuus, óleo lætítiæ præ consórtibus tuis.
Myrrha, et gutta, et cásia a vestiméntis tuis, a dómibus ebúrneis: * ex quibus delectavérunt te fíliæ regum in honóre tuo.
Ástitit regína a dextris tuis in vestítu deauráto: * circúmdata varietáte.

-- Psalmus 44(1-10), Feria quart ad Matutinum, Breviarium Romanum

(Photo: On the Monday of Holy Week the Abruzzo region of Central Italy was hit by its most devastating earthquake in 30 years, measuring a magnitude of 6.3 and claiming almost 300 lives. Amidst the wreckage, however, there emerged a sign of hope.

It happened in Rocca di Cambio, the highest mountain village in the Gran Sasso Mountains of Abruzzo. There, in the church of San Pietro alla Collegiata, a fresco of the Virgin Mother and infant Jesus was discovered.

The fresco appeared when the earthquake shook the church and the altar came away from the wall. Experts believe the artwork is from the 11th Century at the time the church was built. More on the story here.)

"Et præcinxísti me virtúte ad bellum"

Tu dedísti mihi protectiónem salútis tuæ: * et déxtera tua suscépit me:
Et disciplína tua corréxit me in finem: * et disciplína tua ipsa me docébit.
Dilatásti gressus meos subtus me: * et non sunt infirmáta vestígia mea:
Pérsequar inimícos meos et comprehéndam illos: * et non convértar, donec defíciant.
Confríngam illos, nec póterunt stare: * cadent subtus pedes meos.
Et præcinxísti me virtúte ad bellum: * supplantásti insurgéntes in me subtus me.
Et inimícos meos dedísti mihi dorsum, * et odiéntes me disperdidísti.
Clamavérunt, nec erat qui salvos fáceret ad Dóminum: * nec exaudívit eos.
Et commínuam illos, ut púlverem ante fáciem venti: * ut lutum plateárum delébo eos.
Éripe me de contradictiónibus pópuli: * constítues me in caput géntium.
Pópulus quem non cognóvi servívit mihi: * in audítu auris obedívit mihi.
Fílii aliéni mentíti sunt mihi, * fílii aliéni inveteráti sunt, et claudicavérunt a sémitis suis.
Vivit Dóminus, et benedíctus Deus meus: * et exaltétur Deus salútis meæ.
Deus, qui das vindíctas mihi, et subdis pópulos sub me: * liberátor meus de inimícis meis iracúndis.
Et ab insurgéntibus in me exaltábis me: * a viro iníquo erípies me.
Proptérea confitébor tibi in natiónibus, Dómine: * et nómini tuo psalmum dicam.
Magníficans salútes Regis ejus, et fáciens misericórdiam Christo suo David: * et sémini ejus usque in sæculum.

-- Psalmus 17(36-51), Feria Secunda ad Matutinum infra Hebdomadam I post Octavam Paschae, Breviarium Romanum

(Photo: American soldier mourns over young war victim.)

Ad multos annos: "Magna ópera Dómini: * exquisíta in omnes voluntátes ejus."

Confitebor tibi, Dómine, in toto corde meo: * in consílio justórum, et congregatióne.
Magna ópera Dómini: * exquisíta in omnes voluntátes ejus.
Conféssio et magnificéntia opus ejus: * et justítia ejus manet in sæculum sæculi.
Memóriam fecit mirabílium suórum, miséricors et miserátor Dóminus: * escam dedit timéntibus se.
Memor erit in sæculum testaménti sui: * virtútem óperum suórum annuntiábit pópulo suo:
Ut det illis hereditátem géntium: * ópera mánuum ejus véritas, et judícium.
Fidélia ómnia mandáta ejus: confirmáta in sæculum sæculi, * facta in veritáte et æquitáte.
Redemptiónem misit pópulo suo: * mandávit in ætérnum testaméntum suum.
Sanctum, et terríbile nomen ejus: * inítium sapiéntiæ timor Dómini.
Intelléctus bonus ómnibus faciéntibus eum: * laudátio ejus manet in sæculum sæculi.

-- Psalmus 110, Dominica ad II Vesperas, Breviarium Romanum

On the anniversary of his election to the Chair of Peter we pledge
our Holy Father Benedict XVI
our steadfast love, fidelity and prayers.
Thanks be to Almighty God.

DOMINICA IN ALBIS IN OCTAVA PASCHAE: "Pax vobis."

In illo tempore: Cum sero esset die illo, una sabbatorum, et fores essent clausae, ubi erant discipuli congregati propter metum Iudaeorum, venit Iesus, et stetit in medio, et dixit eis: Pax vobis.

-- Ioannem 20, 19-31

Baptism is the first and chief sacrament of the forgiveness of sins: it unites us to Christ, who died and rose, and gives us the Holy Spirit. By Christ's will, the Church possesses the power to forgive the sins of the baptized and exercises it through bishops and priests normally in the sacrament of Penance. "In the forgiveness of sins, both priests and sacraments are instruments which our Lord Jesus Christ, the only author and liberal giver of salvation, wills to use in order to efface our sins and give us the grace of justification."

-- CCC 984-987

Meeting Christ in the Liturgy offers a reflection for DOMINICA IN ALBIS.

"Beatus vir, qui ... in cathedra pestilentiae non sedit"

Beátus vir, qui non ábiit in consílio impiórum, et in via peccatórum non stetit, * et in cáthedra pestiléntiæ non sedit:
Sed in lege Dómini volúntas ejus, * et in lege ejus meditábitur die ac nocte.
Et erit tamquam lignum, quod plantátum est secus decúrsus aquárum, * quod fructum suum dabit in témpore suo:
Et fólium ejus non défluet: * et ómnia quæcúmque fáciet, prosperabúntur.
Non sic ímpii, non sic: * sed tamquam pulvis, quem prójicit ventus a fácie terræ.
Ideo non resúrgent ímpii in judício: * neque peccatóres in concílio justórum.
Quóniam novit Dóminus viam justórum: * et iter impiórum períbit.

-- Psalmus 1 [1], Sabbato in Albis ad Matutinum, Breviarium Romanum

(Photo: Archbishop Dolan is installed in New York: "Yes, the Church is a loving mother who has a zest for life and serves life everywhere, but she can become a protective 'mamma bear' when the life of her innocent, helpless cubs is threatened." Photos and story here.)

FERIA II INFRA OCTAVAM: "Et nunc, reges, intellígite: erudímini, qui judicátis terram. Servíte Dómino in timóre."

Quare fremuérunt Gentes: * pópuli meditáti sunt inánia?
Astitérunt reges terræ, et príncipes convenérunt in unum * advérsus Dóminum, et advérsus Christum ejus.
Dirumpámus víncula eórum: * et projiciámus a nobis jugum ipsórum.
Qui hábitat in cælis, irridébit eos: * et Dóminus subsannábit eos.
Tunc loquétur ad eos in ira sua, * et in furóre suo conturbábit eos.
Ego autem constitútus sum Rex ab eo super Sion montem sanctum ejus, * prædicans præcéptum ejus.
Dóminus dixit ad me: * Fílius meus es tu, ego hódie génui te.
Póstula a me, et dabo tibi Gentes hereditátem tuam, * et possessiónem tuam términos terræ.
Reges eos in virga férrea, * et tamquam vas fíguli confrínges eos.
Et nunc, reges, intellígite: * erudímini, qui judicátis terram.
Servíte Dómino in timóre: * et exsultáte ei cum tremóre.
Apprehéndite disciplínam, nequándo irascátur Dóminus, * et pereátis de via justa.
Cum exárserit in brevi ira ejus: * beáti omnes qui confídunt in eo.

--Psalmus 2 [2], Feria secunda at Matutinum, Breviarium Romanum

(Photos clockwise from top: Kerry Kennedy, Caroline Kennedy, and Doug Kmiec. VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- A Vatican spokesman dismissed reports that the Holy See has rejected several candidates for U.S. ambassador to the Vatican because of their support for legal abortion. "No proposals about the new ambassador of the United States to the Holy See have reached the Vatican, and therefore it is not true that they have been rejected. The rumors circulating about this topic are not reliable," the spokesman, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, told April 9. For more on the story, click this link.)

Regina Caeli laetare

Regina caeli laetare, alleluia.

Quia quem meruisti portare, alleluia.
Resurrexit sicut dixit, alleluia.
Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia.

Gaude et laetare, Virgo Maria, alleluia.
Quia surrexit Dominus vere, alleluia.

-- Tempus Paschatis Ad Completorium, Breviarium Romanum

Happy Easter - Buona Pasqua

Wishing friends of Breviarium Romanum a most joyful and prayerful Easter Season.

Grazie - Salamat - Danke - Gracias - Merci - Kamsahamnida -
- Tesekur - Dhanyavaad - Shukriyaa - Shukran - Cam on -Domo arigato - Kam sia

Thank you

Surrexit Dominus vere, alleluia!

"Nolite expavescere! Iesum quaeritis Nazarenum crucifixum. Surrexit, non est hic; ecce locus, ubi posuerunt eum. Sed ite, dicite discipulis eius et Petro: "Praecedit vos in Galilaeam. Ibi eum videbitis, sicut dixit vobis."

The Solemnity of the Resurrection of the Lord

Epistle: Colossians 3. 1-4; Gospel: St. Luke 24, 13-35

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Alleluia! Christ is risen!

We are led to the Easter Christ in the Eucharist by this beautiful and moving account of our Lord's appearance to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, in the gospel according to Saint Luke, chapter twenty-four, verses thirteen to thirty-five. Shattered as they were by His crucifixion and death, news of which had been passed throughout the cities and towns from Jerusalem, the disciples were in need of the greatest gift this side of heaven, to fill them again with hope, to give them undying faith in the Risen Lord. And so the Catechism leads our thoughts to the presence of the risen Lord whom we worship, adore, praise and receive in the Mass, the "Lord's Supper."

The Sacrament of the Eucharist is known by this and other titles, discussed in the Catechism.

The Lord's Supper, because of its connection with the supper which the Lord took with his disciples on the eve of his Passion and because it anticipates the wedding feast of the Lamb in the heavenly Jerusalem. (1Cor 11:20; Rev 19:9.) The Breaking of Bread because Jesus used this rite, part of a Jewish meal, when as master of the table he blessed and distributed the bread, (Mt 14:19; 15:36; Mk 8:6,19) above all at the Last Supper. (Mt 26:26; 1 Cor 11:24) It is by this action that his disciples will recognize him after his Resurrection, (Luke 24:13-35) and it is this expression that the first Christians will use to designate their Eucharistic assemblies; (Acts 2:42, 26; 20:7, 11) by doing so they signified that all who eat the one broken bread, Christ, enter into communion with him and form but one body in him.(1 Cor 10:16-17) The Eucharistic assembly (synaxis), because the Eucharist is celebrated amid the assembly of the faithful, the visible expression of the Church. (1 Cor 11: 17-34) The Eucharist is the Easter Sacrament. In the Eucharist we meet, know and possess God incarnate, our Lord Jesus Christ. (CCC 1329) He is truly risen. Alleluia!

I look forward to meeting you here again next week, as, together, we "meet Christ in the liturgy" -Father Cusick (Publish with permission.)

(Publish with permission.)www.christusrex.org/www1/mcitl/

Oremus
Deus, qui hodiema die per Unigenitum tuum aeternitatis nobis editum devicta morte reserasti: vota nostra, quae praeveniendo aspiras, etiam adjuvando prosequere.
Per eundem...

(Art: The Resurrection of Christ, Peter Paul Rubens, 1611-12, Oil on panel, O.L. Vrouwenkathedraal, Antwerp.)

"In manus tuas, Domine, commendum spiritum meum."

"Consummatum est."

(Art: The Lance, Peter Paul Rubens, 1619-20, Oil on panel, Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten, Antwerp.)

FERIA SEXTA IN PASSIONE ET MORTE DOMINI: "Deus, Deus meus, respice in me: quare me dereliquisti?"

Deus, Deus meus, réspice in me: * quare me dereliquísti? longe a salúte mea verba delictórum meórum.
Deus meus, clamábo per diem, et non exáudies: * et nocte, et non ad insipiéntiam mihi.
Tu autem in sancto hábitas, * laus Israël.
In te speravérunt patres nostri: * speravérunt, et liberásti eos.
Ad te clamavérunt, et salvi facti sunt: * in te speravérunt, et non sunt confúsi.
Ego autem sum vermis, et non homo: * oppróbrium hóminum, et abjéctio plebis.
Omnes vidéntes me, derisérunt me: * locúti sunt lábiis, et movérunt caput.
Sperávit in Dómino, erípiat eum: * salvum fáciat eum, quóniam vult eum.
Quóniam tu es, qui extraxísti me de ventre: * spes mea ab ubéribus matris meæ. In te projéctus sum ex útero:
De ventre matris meæ Deus meus es tu, * ne discésseris a me:
Quóniam tribulátio próxima est: * quóniam non est qui ádjuvet.
Circumdedérunt me vítuli multi: * tauri pingues obsedérunt me.
Aperuérunt super me os suum, * sicut leo rápiens et rúgiens.
Sicut aqua effúsus sum: * et dispérsa sunt ómnia ossa mea.
Factum est cor meum tamquam cera liquéscens * in médio ventris mei.
Aruit tamquam testa virtus mea, et lingua mea adhæsit fáucibus meis: * et in púlverem mortis deduxísti me.
Quóniam circumdedérunt me canes multi: * concílium malignántium obsédit me.
Fodérunt manus meas et pedes meos: * dinumeravérunt ómnia ossa mea.
Ipsi vero consideravérunt et inspexérunt me: * divisérunt sibi vestiménta mea, et super vestem meam misérunt sortem.
Tu autem, Dómine, ne elongáveris auxílium tuum a me: * ad defensiónem meam cónspice.
Erue a frámea, Deus, ánimam meam: * et de manu canis únicam meam:
Salva me ex ore leónis: * et a córnibus unicórnium humilitátem meam.
Narrábo nomen tuum frátribus meis: * in médio ecclésiæ laudábo te.
Qui timétis Dóminum, laudáte eum: * univérsum semen Jacob, glorificáte eum.
Tímeat eum omne semen Israël: * quóniam non sprevit, neque despéxit deprecatiónem páuperis:
Nec avértit fáciem suam a me: * et cum clamárem ad eum, exaudívit me.
Apud te laus mea in ecclésia magna: * vota mea reddam in conspéctu timéntium eum.
Edent páuperes, et saturabúntur: et laudábunt Dóminum qui requírunt eum: * vivent corda eórum in sæculum sæculi.
Reminiscéntur et converténtur ad Dóminum * univérsi fines terræ:
Et adorábunt in conspéctu ejus * univérsæ famíliæ géntium.
Quóniam Dómini est regnum: * et ipse dominábitur géntium.
Manducavérunt et adoravérunt omnes pingues terræ: * in conspéctu ejus cadent omnes qui descéndunt in terram.
Et ánima mea illi vivet: * et semen meum sérviet ipsi.
Annuntiábitur Dómino generátio ventúra: * et annuntiábunt cæli justítiam ejus pópulo qui nascétur, quem fecit Dóminus.

-- Psalmus 21, Feria Sexta in Passione et Morte Domini ad Matutinum , Breviarium Romanum

Lamentatio Ieremiae Prophetae

"Incipit lamentatione", "Aleph", "De lamentatione", "Jerusalem"
"Lamentations of Jeremiah" by Thomas Tallis, 1565,
performed 1995 by the King's Singers.

-- Ad Matutinum, Feria V in Cena Domini, Breviarium Romanum

FERIA QUINTA IN CENA DOMINI: "Ego enim accepi a Domino quod et tradidi vobis"

I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you,
that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over,
took bread, and, after he had given thanks,
broke it and said, "This is my body that is for you.
Do this in remembrance of me."
In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying,
"This cup is the new covenant in my blood.
Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me."
For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup,
you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.

-- 1 Cor 11:23-26

In the ecclesial service of the ordained minister, it is Christ himself who is present to his Church as Head of his Body, Shepherd of his flock, high priest of the redemptive sacrifice, Teacher of Truth. This is what the Church means by saying that the priest, by virtue of the sacrament of Holy Orders, acts in persona Christi Capitis:

It is the same priest, Christ Jesus, whose sacred person his minister truly represents. Now the minister, by reason of the sacerdotal consecration which he has received, is truly made like to the high priest and possesses the authority to act in the power and place of the person of Christ himself (virtute ac persona ipsius Christi).

Christ is the source of all priesthood: the priest of the old law was a figure of Christ, and the priest of the new law acts in the person of Christ.

-- CCC 1548

It is Christ himself, the eternal high priest of the New Covenant who, acting through the ministry of the priests, offers the Eucharistic sacrifice. And it is the same Christ, really present under the species of bread and wine, who is the offering of the Eucharistic sacrifice.

-- CCC 1410

"By a tradition handed down from the apostles which took its origin from the very day of Christ's Resurrection, the Church celebrates the Paschal mystery every seventh day, which day is appropriately called the Lord's Day or Sunday." The day of Christ's Resurrection is both the first day of the week, the memorial of the first day of creation, and the "eighth day," on which Christ after his "rest" on the great sabbath inaugurates the "day that the Lord has made," the "day that knows no evening." The Lord's Supper is its center, for there the whole community of the faithful encounters the risen Lord who invites them to his banquet:

The Lord's day, the day of Resurrection, the day of Christians, is our day. It is called the Lord's day because on it the Lord rose victorious to the Father. If pagans call it the "day of the sun," we willingly agree, for today the light of the world is raised, today is revealed the sun of justice with healing in his rays.

-- CCC 1166

(Art: The Last Supper, Andrea del Sarto, 520-25, Fresco, Convent of San Salvi, Firenze.)

Terremoto in Italia: "non timébimus dum turbábitur terra"

Deus noster refúgium, et virtus: * adjútor in tribulatiónibus, quæ invenérunt nos nimis.
Proptérea non timébimus dum turbábitur terra: * et transferéntur montes in cor maris.
Sonuérunt, et turbátæ sunt aquæ eórum: * conturbáti sunt montes in fortitúdine ejus.
Flúminis ímpetus lætíficat civitátem Dei: * sanctificávit tabernáculum suum Altíssimus.
Deus in médio ejus, non commovébitur: * adjuvábit eam Deus mane dilúculo.
Conturbátæ sunt Gentes, et inclináta sunt regna: * dedit vocem suam, mota est terra.
Dóminus virtútum nobíscum: * suscéptor noster Deus Jacob.
Veníte, et vidéte ópera Dómini, quæ pósuit prodígia super terram: * áuferens bella usque ad finem terræ.
Arcum cónteret, et confrínget arma: * et scuta combúret igni.
Vacate, et vidéte quóniam ego sum Deus: * exaltábor in Géntibus, et exaltábor in terra.
Dóminus virtútum nobíscum: * suscéptor noster Deus Jacob.

-- Psalmus 45, Feria quarta ad Matutinum, Breviarium Romanum

(AP Photo: Maria D'Antuono is among those rescued from the ruins of central Italy following the earthquake and subsequent aftershocks earlier this week. After being rescued from the upper floors of her quake damaged home in Tempera, Italy, Wednesday, April 8, 2009, by firefighters using an extended ladder D'Antuono, who remained in bed amidst the rubble after the earthquake hit early on Monday, told journalists that she had spent the past few days knitting.)

L'Aquila, Italia: "Commóta est, et contrémuit terra...Circumdedérunt me dolóres mortis"

Díligam te, Dómine, fortitúdo mea: * Dóminus firmaméntum meum, et refúgium meum, et liberátor meus.
Deus meus adjútor meus, * et sperábo in eum.
Protéctor meus, et cornu salútis meæ, * et suscéptor meus.
Laudans invocábo Dóminum: * et ab inimícis meis salvus ero.
Circumdedérunt me dolóres mortis: * et torréntes iniquitátis conturbavérunt me.
Dolóres inférni circumdedérunt me: * præoccupavérunt me láquei mortis.
In tribulatióne mea invocávi Dóminum, * et ad Deum meum clamávi.
Et exaudívit de templo sancto suo vocem meam: * et clamor meus in conspéctu ejus, introívit in aures ejus.
Commóta est, et contrémuit terra: * fundaménta móntium conturbáta sunt, et commóta sunt, quóniam irátus est eis.
Ascéndit fumus in ira ejus: et ignis a fácie ejus exársit: * carbónes succénsi sunt ab eo.
Inclinávit cælos, et descéndit: * et calígo sub pédibus ejus.
Et ascéndit super Chérubim, et volávit: * volávit super pennas ventórum.
Et pósuit ténebras latíbulum suum, in circúitu ejus tabernáculum ejus: * tenebrósa aqua in núbibus áëris.
Præ fulgóre in conspéctu ejus nubes transiérunt, * grando et carbónes ignis.
Et intónuit de cælo Dóminus, et Altíssimus dedit vocem suam: * grando et carbónes ignis.
Et misit sagíttas suas, et dissipávit eos: * fúlgura multiplicávit, et conturbávit eos.
Et apparuérunt fontes aquárum, * et reveláta sunt fundaménta orbis terrárum:
Ab increpatióne tua, Dómine, * ab inspiratióne spíritus iræ tuæ.

-- Psalmus 17(1-16) [4], Feria secunda ad Matutium, Breviarium Romanum

(Photos by EPA/PERI: Survivor surrounded by wreckage and destroyed dome of the church of Santa Maria del Suffragio by Giuseppe Valadier, well known as Purgatory Church or Saint Souls Church, in downtown L'Aquila, following the earthquake which hit the 13th-century mountain city about 100 km (60 miles) east of Rome on 06 April 2009. At least 90 people are believed dead and tens of thousands homeless after an earthquake hit L'Aquila and other towns in central Italy, rescuers say.)

Feria Secunda Majoris Hebdomadae

Lectio sancti Evangelii secundum Joannem.

Ante sex dies Paschae venit Jesus Bethaniam, ubi Lazarus fuerat mortuus, quem suscitavit Jesus. Et reliqua.

-- John 12:1-9.

Homilia sancti Augustini Episcopi.
Tractus 50. in Joann., post init.
Ne putarent homines phantasma esse factum, quia mortuus resurrexit, Lazarus unus erat ex recumbentibus: vivebat, loquebatur, epulabatur, veritas ostendebatur, infidelitas Judaeorum confundebatur. Discumbebat ergo Jesus cum Lazaro, et ceteris: ministrabat Martha una ex sororibus Lazari. Maria vero, altera soror Lazari, accepit libram unguenti nardi pistici pretiosi, et unxit pedes Jesu, et extersit capillis suis pedes ejus, et domus impleta est ex odore unguenti. Factum audivimus: mysterium requiramus.

-- Tractus 50. in Joann., post init.

Oremus
Da, quaesumus omnipotens Deus: ut qui in tot adversis ex nostra infirmitate deficimus; intercedente Unigeniti Filii tui passione respiremus:
Qui tecum...

Dominica II Passionis: "Pater, dimitte illis."

"Iesus autem dicebat Pater dimitte illis non enim sciunt

quid faciunt."

--Luke 23, 34

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The events of our Lord's trial and passion have aroused the anger, pity and tears of faithful Christians throughout two millennia. How should e react to the trial and punishment, followed by the crucifixion of the Son of God as a criminal? Should we seek to blame particular people of his time and place?

The religious authorities in Jerusalem were not unanimous about what stance to take toward Jesus. (Cf. Jn 9:16; Jn 10:19) The Pharisees threatened to excommunicate his followers. (Cf. Jn 9:22) To those who feared that 'everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and destroy both our holy place and our nation,' the high priest Caiaphas replied by prophesying: 'It is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation should not perish.' (Jn 11:48-50) The Sanhedrin, having declared Jesus deserving of death as a blasphemer but having lost the right to put anyone to death, hands him over to the Romans, accusing him of political revolt, a charge that puts him in the same category as Barabbas who had been accused of sedition. (Cf. Mt 26:66; Jn 18:31; Lk 23:2, 19) The high priests also threatened Pilate politically so that he would condemn Jesus to death. (Cf. Jn 19:12, 15, 21)" (CCC 596)

Are the Jews collectively responsible for Jesus' death?

The historical complexity of Jesus' trial is apparent in the Gospel accounts. The personal sin of the participants (Judas, the Sanhedrin, Pilate) is known to God alone. Hence we cannot lay responsibility for the trial on the Jews in Jerusalem as a whole, despite the outcry of a manipulated crowd and the global reproaches contained in the apostles' calls to conversion after Pentecost. (Cf. Mk 15:11; Acts 2:23, 36; 3:13-14; 4:10; 5:30; 7:52; 10:39; 13:27-28; 1 Thess 2:14-15) Jesus himself, in forgiving them on the cross, and Peter in following suit, both accept 'the ignorance' of the Jews of Jerusalem and even of their leaders. (Cf. Lk 23:34; Acts 3:17) Still less can we extend responsibility to other Jews of different times and places, based merely on the crowd's cry: 'His blood be on us and on our children!' a formula for ratifying a judicial sentence. (Mt 27:25; cf. Acts 5:28; 18:6) As the Church declared at the Second Vatican Council: ...[N]either all Jews indiscriminately at that time, nor Jews today, can be charged with the crimes committed during his Passion....[T]he Jews should not be spoken of as rejected or accursed as if this followed from holy Scripture. (Nostrae Aetate 4) (CCC 597)

All of us have sinned and must look to Christ on the cross and see in his death the ransom and cure first for our own sins. We cannot help but each wonder: "Would I have remained at the foot of the Cross and braved all to be faithful as did Mary? Would I have been instead with Peter, furious in my denials against him, concerned with the preservation of my body over the eternal fate of my soul?

-- Matthew 26. 36-75; 27. 1-60

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.)

(Art: Ecce Homo by Titian.)

DOMINICA II PASSIONIS SEU IN PALMIS

"Pater iuste, mundus te non cognovit: ego autem novi te, quia tu me misisti."


Fratres: Hoc enim sentite in vobis, quod et in Christo Jesu: qui cum in forma Dei esset, non rapinam arbitratus est esse se aequalem Deo: sed semetipsum exinanivit, formam servi accipiens. in similitudinem hominum factus, et habitu inventus ut homo.
Deo gratias

-- Phil 2:5-7

The religious authorities in Jerusalem were not unanimous about what stance to take toward Jesus. (Cf. Jn 9:16; Jn 10:19) The Pharisees threatened to excommunicate his followers. (Cf. Jn 9:22) To those who feared that 'everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and destroy both our holy place and our nation,' the high priest Caiaphas replied by prophesying: 'It is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation should not perish.' (Jn 11:48-50) The Sanhedrin, having declared Jesus deserving of death as a blasphemer but having lost the right to put anyone to death, hands him over to the Romans, accusing him of political revolt, a charge that puts him in the same category as Barabbas who had been accused of sedition. (Cf. Mt 26:66; Jn 18:31; Lk 23:2, 19) The high priests also threatened Pilate politically so that he would condemn Jesus to death. (Cf. Jn 19:12, 15, 21)" (CCC 596)

Oremus
Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, qui humano generi, ad imitandum humilitatis exemplum, Salvatorem nostrum carnem sumere, et crucem subire fecisti: concede propitius: ut et patientiae ipsius habere documenta, et resurrectionis consortia mereamur.
Per eundem...

Meeting Christ in the Liturgy offers a reflection for Dominica II Passionis.

Septem Dolorum Beatae Mariae Virgine: "Sancta Mater, istud agas"

"In illo tempore: Stabant juxta crucem Jesu mater ejus, et soror matris ejus Maria Cleophai, et Maria Magdalene." Et reliqua.

-- John 19:25-27.

Oremus
Deus, in cujus passione, secundum Simeonis prophetiam, dulcissimam animam gloriosae Virginis et Matris Mariae doloris gladius pertransivit: concede propitius; ut qui transfixionem ejus et passionem venerando recolimus, gloriosis meritis et precibus omnium Sanctorum cruci fideliter astantium intercedentibus, passionis tuae effectum felicem consequamur:
Qui vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

(Art: Caravaggio, Deposition, Pinacoteca, Vatican.)

Feria V post Dominica Passionis

Lectio sancti Evangelii secundum Lucam.

In illo tempore: Rogabat Jesum quidam de pharisaeis ut manducaret cum illo. Et ingressus domum pharisaeis discubuit. Et reliqua.

-- Luke 7:36-50

Homilia sancti Gregorii Papae.

Cogitanti mihi de Mariae Magdalenae poenitentia, flere magis libet, quam aliquid dicere. Cujus enim vel saxeum pectus illae hujus peccatricis lacrimae ad exemplum poenitendi non emolliant? Consideravit namque quid fecit, et noluit moderari quid faceret. Super convivantes ingressa est, non jussa venit, inter epulas lacrimas obtulit. Discite quo dolore ardet, quae flere et inter epulas non erubescit.

-- Homilia 33. in Evangelia.

Commemoratio Feria Quinta infra Hebdomadam Passionis
Ant. Magister dicit: * Tempus meum prope est, apud te facio Pascha cum discipulis meis.

V. Eripe me de inimicis meis Deus meus
R. Et ab insurgentibus in me libera me

Oratio
Praesta, quaesumus omnipotens Deus: ut dignitas conditionis humanae per immoderantia sauciata, medicinalis parsimoniae studio reformetur
Per Dominum nostrum Iesum Christum Filium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

-- Commemoratio Feria Quinta infra Hebdomadam Passionis, Breviarium Romanum

-- S. FRANCISCI DE PAULA Confessoris, III classis

Vestimentum nigrans on 17 May: "Exortum est in tenebris lumen rectis"

"Beátus vir, qui timet Dóminum: * in mandátis ejus volet nimis."

Wear Black on 17 May in solidarity with unborn human life. For details, please visit Meeting Christ in the Liturgy.

Gratias tibi.

Beátus vir, qui timet Dóminum: * in mandátis ejus volet nimis.
Potens in terra erit semen ejus: * generátio rectórum benedicétur.
Glória, et divítiæ in domo ejus: * et justítia ejus manet in sæculum sæculi.
Exórtum est in ténebris lumen rectis: * miséricors, et miserátor, et justus.
Jucúndus homo qui miserétur et cómmodat, dispónet sermónes suos in judício: * quia in ætérnum non commovébitur.
In memória ætérna erit justus: * ab auditióne mala non timébit.
Parátum cor ejus speráre in Dómino, confirmátum est cor ejus: * non commovébitur donec despíciat inimícos suos.
Dispérsit, dedit paupéribus: justítia ejus manet in sæculum sæculi, * cornu ejus exaltábitur in glória.
Peccátor vidébit, et irascétur, déntibus suis fremet et tabéscet: * desidérium peccatórum períbit.

-- Psalmus 111 , Dominica ad II Vesperas, Breviarium Romanum

Feria IV post Dominica Passionis: "Oves meae * vocem meam audiunt: et ego Dominus agnosco eas."

Lectio sancti Evangelii secundum Joannem.
John 10:22-38
In illo tempore: Facta sunt encaenia in Hierosolymis: et hiems erat. Et ambulabat Jesus in templo, in porticu Salomonis. Et reliqua.

-- John 10:22-38

Oremus
Sanctificato hoc jejunio, Deus, tuorum corda fidelium miserator illustra: et quibus devotionis praestas affectum, praebe supplicantibus pium benignus auditum.
Per Dominum nostrum Iesum Christum Filium tuum qui tecum, vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

Pange Lingua Gloriosi

-- Ad Matutinum infra Hebdomadam Passionis , Breviarium Romanum