Thursday, May 23, 2013
Pentecost Thursday
[Station at St. Lawrence outside the Walls.] This venerable Church, which houses the relics of the Archdeacon of Rome, is one of the grandest trophies of the victory gained by the Holy Ghost over the Prince of this world. This annual assembly of the Faithful in so holy a place, and for all these long […]
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Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Whit Embertide/Pentecost Wednesday
[Station at St. Mary Major.] St. Mary Major is always the station church in Rome whenever the scrutinies of the candidates for Holy Orders are to take place. The Mass today bears a festival character; at one time the Ember fast was postponed for a few weeks. Pope St. Gregory VII re-established the Ember Days […]
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Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Pentecost Tuesday
[Station at St. Anastasia.] The titular church of St. Anastasia, once the Court church during the Byzantine period, is chosen for today’s station instead of the Basilica of St. Paul, as the latter is too far out for a procession at this season of the year when the weather is too warm. During the Octave […]
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Monday, May 20, 2013
Pentecost Monday
The liturgy today recalls the Descent of the Holy Ghost on the Apostles; and the Church extends the commemoration of it over eight days. Originally, the feast of Pentecost brought to an end in Rome the fifty days of the Easter celebrations and introduced the fast of the Ember Days of the summer quarter. Afterwards, […]
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St. Bernardino of Siena, Confessor
Bernardino (or Bernadine, or Bernardin) was an Italian priest, Franciscan missionary, and is a Catholic saint. He is known in the Roman Catholic Church as “the Apostle of Italy” for his efforts to revive the country’s Catholic faith during the 15th century. His preaching was frequently directed against gambling, witchcraft, sodomy (with an emphasis on […]
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Sunday, May 19, 2013
Pentecost, or Whitsunday
[Station at St. Peter.] Whit, or White Sunday, is so called from those who were newly baptized, in the 4th and 5th centuries, putting on white garments as types of the spiritual purity received in baptism. Just as the truths and realities of the Gospel were slipping out of men’s hearts, the outward symbols of […]
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Saturday, May 18, 2013
Vigil of Whitsunday
[Station at St. John Lateran.] The Vigil of Pentecost resembles that of Easter. The Mass for Pentecost, formerly celebrated during the night, has, like the Mass of Easter, since been anticipated. There are six prophecies preceding the Mass, interspersed with Prayers and Tracts; formerly the catechumens, who had not been baptized at Easter, received the […]
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Friday, May 17, 2013
St. Paschal Baylon, Confessor
Baylon was born at Torrehermosa, in the Kingdom of Aragon, on May 24, 1540, on the Feast of Pentecost, called in Spain “the Pasch (or “Passover”) of the Holy Ghost”, hence the name Paschal. His parents, Martin Baylon and Elizabeth Jubera, were poor peasants. He spent his youth as a shepherd. He would carry a […]
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Thursday, May 16, 2013
St. Ubaldus, Confessor
Born Ubaldo Baldassini of noble parents at Gubbio, Ubald lost his father while still very young. He was educated by the prior of the cathedral church of his native city, where he also became a canon regular. Saint Sperandia was a relative of Ubald. He felt a vocation to become a monk, and entered to […]
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