SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806
EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)
CELEBRANT Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
November 18, 2012; Sixth Resumed Sunday after Epiphany
Epistle: 1 Thess. 1: 2-10; Gospel: Mt. 13: 31-35
Mass schedule November 19 through November 23
Monday: Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, Widow-- No Latin Mass
Tuesday: Saint Felix of Valois, Confessor
Wednesday: Requiem Mass + Mario Machado
Thursday: Requiem Mass + June Baker MASS AT 10:00AM
Friday: Saint Clement I, Pope & Martyr
The month of November is dedicated to the Holy Souls. Indulgences, which remove temporal punishment due to forgiven sin, may be gained by the living for themselves or applied to the souls in purgatory but they cannot be applied to other living persons. Indulgences are called plenary if they remove all temporal punishment and partial if they remove only some of it. A plenary indulgence can be acquired only once in the course of a day but a partial indulgence may be acquired more than once a day. To gain an indulgence for oneself one must be baptized, in the state of grace at least at the completion of the prescribed work and subject to the one granting the indulgence. He must also have at least a general intention of gaining them and must perform the works enjoined at the time and in the manner prescribed.
Some works to which are attached plenary indulgences are: a visit to the Blessed Sacrament which lasts for a half hour, the Stations of the Cross, recitation of five decades of the Rosary while contemplating the mysteries, and reading of Scripture for one half hour.
Partial indulgences are granted to those who recite Lauds or Vespers of the Office of the Dead, and to those who recite the prayer “Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domini, et lux perpetua luceat eis. Requiescant in pace” (“Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace”).
All indulgences whatsoever may be applied to the Poor Souls at any time by way of suffrage. The simple intention to offer them for the Poor Souls is sufficient.
Many desire God, but fear death. They are afraid of the assaults of Hell upon their souls. Even the saints have trembled at the hour of death, so how much more should we be afraid! Although it is true that Satan attacks even the holy saints at their hour of death, it is also true that God always comes to their aid at that moment. When dangers increase God helps all the more. The powers of Hell will assault the dying Christian, but his guardian angel will also be present to offer consolation. Saint Michael will also come to his aid. He has been appointed by God to defend His faithful servants in their last fight against the powers of Hell. The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, will assist those who have been devoted to her during their lives. Jesus Christ Himself will give those souls for whom He died confidence and strength to resist the powers of the enemy.
We should therefore rejoice at death! Death delivers us from this valley of tears and labor. At death we are free from suffering. Death also delivers us from our actual sins and the danger of falling into Hell. Through death, paradise is opened up for us!
In Christ,
Fr. Jeffery A. Fasching
