SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806
EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)
CELEBRANT: Father Jeff Fasching
March 29, 2015
Palm Sunday
Epistle: Phil. 2: 5-11
Gospel: Mt. 26: 36-75; 27: 1-60
Mon 30 -- No Latin Mass
Tue 31--Tuesday of Holy Week-Latin Mass-12:15pm-Chrism Mass @ 7:00pm
Wed 1--Wednesday of Holy Week—No Latin Mass
Thu 2 Holy Thursday—No Latin Mass
Fri 3 Good Friday—No Good Friday Liturgy
The next potluck will be on Divine Mercy Sunday-April 12th.
The second Sunday in Passionide, or Palm Sunday, commemorates the last triumph of our Lord Jesus Christ on earth. It marks the beginning of Holy Week. “Let the faithful be invited to take part in the Procession of Palms in greater numbers, thus rendering Christ the King public witness of their love and gratitude.”
On Palm Sunday the Church celebrates the triumphant entry of Our Lord into Jerusalem. The crowds went before and after Jesus Christ with branches cut from trees thrown before Him. They shouted “Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord.”
We commemorate this triumph by blessing palms and carrying them in solemn procession. Although this triumph ultimately led to the death of Jesus, we know for certain that His Passion and Death is how he conquered the world, sin, and Satan! “If I be lifted up...I will draw all things to Myself.” Jn. 12:32.
The following are announcements from the Office of Vocations regarding discernment opportunities for young men.
Quo Vadis-Kenrick-Glennon Seminary April 10-11, 2015
An opportunity for young men discerning a call to the priesthood or just
want to learn more about the priesthood to visit a local seminary, listen and interact with seminarians.
Exploring Priesthood Weekend—April 17-19, 2015
Is a retreat designed to help men discern God's call to the diocesan priesthood. To be called by God to serve Him as a priest means to have one's soul stirred deep within. Throughout a weekend of prayer, discussion and group interaction, men begin to better understand God's movement in their life. Exploring priesthood weekends are held at Mundelein Seminary.
Discernment Retreat for College age men—April 24-26, 2015 at Meinrad Seminary in Indiana.
Encounter with God's call—April 18-20, 2015 at Conception Seminary College--for young men 16 and under who are considering a vocation to the priesthood.
For more information, please contact Fr. Patrick Nwokoye, Director of Vocation Promotion at 573-200-1814—email: pnwokoye@dioscg.org or Fr. J. Friedel, Director of Vocations/Seminarians, at jfriedel@dioscg.org.
In Christo Jesu et
Maria Immaculata,
Father Jeff Fasching
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Friday, March 27, 2015
Pope Francis and the Blood of St. Januarius
Saint Januarius was a Catholic bishop of Naples (in Italy) who was martyred for being a Christian under the reign of Caesar Diocletian in about AD 305. He was beheaded at the Solfatara crater near Pozzuoli. His martyrdom is honoured in both the Roman Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox churches. There is a cathedral in Naples which stands as a shrine in his memory, housing the relic of a small vile filled with some of his blood. According to legend, the blood was saved by a woman named Eusebia just after the saint's death. The blood, being some 1,700 years old now, has long since hardened. However, three times a year, a phenomenon occurs, in which the clotted and decayed blood returns to its liquid state. This happens on September 19 (Saint Januarius day, to commemorate his martyrdom), on December 16 (to celebrate his patronage of both Naples and of the archdiocese), and on the Saturday before the first Sunday of May (to commemorate the reunification of his relics). Religious pilgrims often visit the shrine on these dates to witness the phenomenon.
I call it a phenomenon, as opposed to a miracle, because the Vatican has never officially ruled it a miracle, though it does pay respect to the phenomenon and the devotion that has developed because of it.
In addition to these annual dates, the blood has also turned to liquid in the presence of three popes. The last time this occurred was in 1848 with Pius IX. It hasn't happened since, when other popes visited the shrine, until now. Pope Francis visited the cathedral on March 21, 2015. The following video tells of the encounter and the phenomenon...
Now, before we go on, let's be perfectly clear about some things. First, Pope Francis did not perform any miracle. He had no intention of turning the clotted blood back into liquid. He simply venerated the relic by kissing it, a sign of deep devotion and respect. Second, if indeed the phenomenon is miraculous, then it was God who performed the miracle, by the intercession of Saint Januarius. Again, Pope Francis did not do it. Third, whether it is a miracle or a phenomenon, God can use either to send us a message.
To try to find meaning in this, we should look back to when this happened with the last pope. Remember, popes have visited this shrine since then, and the blood has not liquefied for any of them. It did however liquefy for Pope Francis. This hasn't happened in 167 years. The last time this happened with a pope was in 1848 with Pope Pius IX, who was the longest reigning pope in Church history. Pius IX however, is also one of the most interesting popes in modern times. Following his visit to Naples in 1848, after the clotted blood of Saint Januarius had liquefied, that very same year Pope Pius IX was forced into exile from the Vatican. The exile was the result of political disputes and social unrest in Italy at the time. He returned to the Vatican two years later and from thence forth practically became a prisoner therein. Relations between the papacy and the Italian government where at an all time low, and the era was marked by riots in the streets and marauding gangs in the countryside. It was an especially dark time for the papacy, but Pius IX found himself purified in this crucible of fire. He proclaimed the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception infallibly, which is something Catholics had always believed, but hadn't been settled as an indisputable matter of faith until his proclamation. He approved a petition to name Mary, as the Immaculate Conception, the official patroness of the United States of America. He penned 38 papal encyclicals, and convened the First Vatican Council. He wrote the now famous 'Syllabus of Errors', which condemned the errors of Modernism, errors that have since led humanity into two world wars, and a global confrontation with communism, as well as the rapid deterioration of Western civilisation. During this time, Pope Pius IX was well known for a personal lifestyle of simplicity and poverty, which has since led the papacy to increasingly become a more spiritual office, and less of a temporal one. Pius IX's papacy is regarded by historians as the birth of the modern papacy, restoring the office to something closer to what it once was at the time of the apostles and the early centuries of the Church. Politically, Pius IX started out as a liberal, but later became much more conservative, after his initial exile from the Vatican. He became a reformer of the papacy and the Vatican. The spiritual aspects of Catholicism flourished under his reign, but the political relations between the papacy and the state suffered terribly. Pius IX was not well liked by the political rulers of his day; Italy, France, Germany, Russia and the United States of America. (Yes, even President Abraham Lincoln did not care for him, nor did his successor President Andrew Johnson.) Yet he was loved by Catholic clergy and laymen around the world.
Does this in any way sound like Pope Francis? I can see some similarities between Francis and the early years of Pius IX, during the liberal years of his papacy. Like Pius IX, Francis considers himself a reformer of the Vatican and seeks to reignite zeal among the Catholic faithful. The liquefaction of the blood of Saint Januarius for Pope Pius IX was immediately followed by unprecedented political trials for the Holy Father. This was accompanied by changes in his papacy, and the result was an incredibly holy man who changed the papacy for the better, and reignited the faith of millions of Catholics around the world. Does God have something similar planned for Pope Francis? Is the liquefaction of the blood of Saint Januarius at the kiss of Pope Francis a sign of this? There is no way we can know at this time. What we do know is that the liquefaction of the blood for the last pope turned out to be both a harbinger of evil and a herald of greatness at the same time. Does God use phenomenon like this to tell us something? Sure he does. We see the Bible littered with such things. The only problem is, we don't know exactly what it means until after it happens. For now, we can view the phenomenon of the liquefaction of Saint Janaurius' blood for Pope Francis as a possible sign from heaven, and that's all we can do. As for what it means, if anything, we'll just have to wait and see.
Written by Shane Schaetzel. Posted with permission of author.
------------------------------------------------
Shane Schaetzel is a published author and columnist for Christian print magazines and online publications. He is a freelance writer and the creator of 'FullyChristian.Com -- The random musings of a Catholic in the Ozarks.'
BOOKS BY THIS AUTHOR...
Catholicism for Protestants
Saturday, March 21, 2015
Bulletin 248
SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806
EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)
CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching
March 22nd, 2015
Passion Sunday
Epistle: Heb. 9: 11-15
Gospel: Jn. 8: 46-59
Mon 23-- No Latin Mass
Tue 24 Feria of Passiontide
Wed 25 Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Thu 26 Feria of Passiontide
Fri 27 Feria of Passiontide
Stations of the Cross will be prayed after Mass on Fridays during Lent.
On each of the Fridays of Lent, a plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who, after Communion, recite the “Prayer Before a Crucifix.”
The next potluck will be on Divine Mercy Sunday-April 12th.
St. John teaches that sin is the death of the soul and sanctifying grace is life. To attain eternal life we must do penance for our sins. John the Baptist preached penance in the wilderness. Even if by God's grace we have recognized our sins and made a good confession, there still remains an obligation to make satisfaction to God for the offenses we committed against Him by sinning.
Always carry out the penance imposed upon you by your confessor. Try to do much more than he assigns. We must pray, fast, give alms and make use of our indulgences. We must do our penance as soon as possible.
It is a sin to neglect carrying out our penance! If we feel indifferent to doing penance, pray! Consider the Passion of Jesus Christ and all He has merited for us!
The following are announcements from the Office of Vocations regarding discernment opportunities for young men.
Quo Vadis-Kenrick-Glennon Seminary April 10-11, 2015
An opportunity for young men discerning a call to the priesthood or just
want to learn more about the priesthood to visit a local seminary, listen and interact with seminarians.
Exploring Priesthood Weekend—April 17-19, 2015
Is a retreat designed to help men discern God's call to the diocesan priesthood. To be called by God to serve Him as a priest means to have one's soul stirred deep within. Throughout a weekend of prayer, discussion and group interaction, men begin to better understand God's movement in their life. Exploring priesthood weekends are held at Mundelein Seminary.
Discernment Retreat for College age men—April 24-26, 2015 at Meinrad Seminary in Indiana.
Encounter with God's call—April 18-20, 2015 at Conception Seminary College--for young men 16 and under who are considering a vocation to the priesthood.
For more information, please contact Fr. Patrick Nwokoye, Director of Vocation Promotion at 573-200-1814—email: pnwokoye@dioscg.org or Fr. J. Friedel, Director of Vocations/Seminarians, at jfriedel@dioscg.org.
In Christo Jesu et
Maria Immaculata,
Father Jeff Fasching
EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)
CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching
March 22nd, 2015
Passion Sunday
Epistle: Heb. 9: 11-15
Gospel: Jn. 8: 46-59
Mon 23-- No Latin Mass
Tue 24 Feria of Passiontide
Wed 25 Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Thu 26 Feria of Passiontide
Fri 27 Feria of Passiontide
Stations of the Cross will be prayed after Mass on Fridays during Lent.
On each of the Fridays of Lent, a plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who, after Communion, recite the “Prayer Before a Crucifix.”
The next potluck will be on Divine Mercy Sunday-April 12th.
St. John teaches that sin is the death of the soul and sanctifying grace is life. To attain eternal life we must do penance for our sins. John the Baptist preached penance in the wilderness. Even if by God's grace we have recognized our sins and made a good confession, there still remains an obligation to make satisfaction to God for the offenses we committed against Him by sinning.
Always carry out the penance imposed upon you by your confessor. Try to do much more than he assigns. We must pray, fast, give alms and make use of our indulgences. We must do our penance as soon as possible.
It is a sin to neglect carrying out our penance! If we feel indifferent to doing penance, pray! Consider the Passion of Jesus Christ and all He has merited for us!
The following are announcements from the Office of Vocations regarding discernment opportunities for young men.
Quo Vadis-Kenrick-Glennon Seminary April 10-11, 2015
An opportunity for young men discerning a call to the priesthood or just
want to learn more about the priesthood to visit a local seminary, listen and interact with seminarians.
Exploring Priesthood Weekend—April 17-19, 2015
Is a retreat designed to help men discern God's call to the diocesan priesthood. To be called by God to serve Him as a priest means to have one's soul stirred deep within. Throughout a weekend of prayer, discussion and group interaction, men begin to better understand God's movement in their life. Exploring priesthood weekends are held at Mundelein Seminary.
Discernment Retreat for College age men—April 24-26, 2015 at Meinrad Seminary in Indiana.
Encounter with God's call—April 18-20, 2015 at Conception Seminary College--for young men 16 and under who are considering a vocation to the priesthood.
For more information, please contact Fr. Patrick Nwokoye, Director of Vocation Promotion at 573-200-1814—email: pnwokoye@dioscg.org or Fr. J. Friedel, Director of Vocations/Seminarians, at jfriedel@dioscg.org.
In Christo Jesu et
Maria Immaculata,
Father Jeff Fasching
Saturday, March 14, 2015
Bulletin 247
SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806
EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)
CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching
March 15th, 2015
Fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday)
Epistle: Gal 4: 22-31
Gospel: Jn. 6: 1-15
Mon 16-- No Latin Mass
Tue 17 Feria of Lent
Wed 18 Feria of Lent
Thu 19 Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Fri 20 Feria of Lent
Stations of the Cross will be prayed after Mass on Fridays during Lent.
On each of the Fridays of Lent, a plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who, after Communion, recite the “Prayer Before a Crucifix.”
The next potluck will be on Divine Mercy Sunday-April 12th.
The following are announcements from the Office of Vocations regarding discernment opportunities for young men.
Quo Vadis-Kenrick-Glennon Seminary April 10-11, 2015
An opportunity for young men discerning a call to the priesthood or just want to learn more about the priesthood to visit a local seminary, listen and interact with seminarians.
Exploring Priesthood Weekend—April 17-19, 2015
Is a retreat designed to help men discern God's call to the diocesan priesthood. To be called by God to serve Him as a priest means to have one's soul stirred deep within. Throughout a weekend of prayer, discussion and group interaction, men begin to better understand God's movement in their life. Exploring priesthood weekends are held at Mundelein Seminary.
Discernment Retreat for College age men—April 24-26, 2015 at Meinrad Seminary in Indiana.
Encounter with God's call—April 18-20, 2015 at Conception Seminary College--for young men 16 and under who are considering a vocation to the priesthood.
For more information, please contact Fr. Patrick Nwokoye, Director of Vocation Promotion at 573-200-1814—email: pnwokoye@dioscg.org or Fr. J. Friedel, Director of Vocations/Seminarians, at jfriedel@dioscg.org.
In Christo Jesu et
Maria Immaculata,
Father Jeff Fasching
EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)
CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching
March 15th, 2015
Fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday)
Epistle: Gal 4: 22-31
Gospel: Jn. 6: 1-15
Mon 16-- No Latin Mass
Tue 17 Feria of Lent
Wed 18 Feria of Lent
Thu 19 Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Fri 20 Feria of Lent
Stations of the Cross will be prayed after Mass on Fridays during Lent.
On each of the Fridays of Lent, a plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who, after Communion, recite the “Prayer Before a Crucifix.”
The next potluck will be on Divine Mercy Sunday-April 12th.
The following are announcements from the Office of Vocations regarding discernment opportunities for young men.
Quo Vadis-Kenrick-Glennon Seminary April 10-11, 2015
An opportunity for young men discerning a call to the priesthood or just want to learn more about the priesthood to visit a local seminary, listen and interact with seminarians.
Exploring Priesthood Weekend—April 17-19, 2015
Is a retreat designed to help men discern God's call to the diocesan priesthood. To be called by God to serve Him as a priest means to have one's soul stirred deep within. Throughout a weekend of prayer, discussion and group interaction, men begin to better understand God's movement in their life. Exploring priesthood weekends are held at Mundelein Seminary.
Discernment Retreat for College age men—April 24-26, 2015 at Meinrad Seminary in Indiana.
Encounter with God's call—April 18-20, 2015 at Conception Seminary College--for young men 16 and under who are considering a vocation to the priesthood.
For more information, please contact Fr. Patrick Nwokoye, Director of Vocation Promotion at 573-200-1814—email: pnwokoye@dioscg.org or Fr. J. Friedel, Director of Vocations/Seminarians, at jfriedel@dioscg.org.
In Christo Jesu et
Maria Immaculata,
Father Jeff Fasching
Saturday, March 7, 2015
Bulletin 246
SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806
EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)
CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching
March 8th 2015
Third Sunday of Lent
Epistle: Eph. 5: 1-9
Gospel: Lk. 11: 14-28
Mon 9-- No Latin Mass
Tue 10 Feria of Lent
Wed 11 Feria of Lent
Thu 12 Feria of Lent
Fri 13 Feria of Lent
Stations of the Cross will be prayed after Mass on Fridays during Lent.
On each of the Fridays of Lent, a plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who, after Communion, recite the “Prayer Before a Crucifix.”
Zeal for my Father’s house has eaten my up, says Jesus Christ (psalm 69). Our Lord cannot tolerate disorder or anything unbecoming in His Holy Sanctuary. The Church is a House of Prayer and the palace of the King of Kings. We should have a jealous care of the cleanliness of the table of the altar. It is the throne on which the Divine Majesty descends! We must guard the purity of the holy vessels which will touch the Immaculate Lamb, and the decency of the vestments which must cover Christ in the person of His priest while the Holy Sacrifice is being offered. Those priests who truly love Jesus Christ perform with dignity and with great reverence the slightest ceremonies of the Sacred Liturgy. They do it with attention, with mind and heart united with Christ, the High Priest.
When a priest offers the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, heaven itself bends down toward him with reverence and gratitude. The angels and the Blessed surround Christ’s priests with veneration and urge them to offer the Divine Victim. They pray that we unite their adoration with that of the Sacred Host which the priest holds in his hands. The Blessed Virgin Mary herself, the Queen of all priests, is present each day at the Holy Sacrifice. She is happy to renew, thanks to her priests, the offering of her Son which she once made in tears at the foot of the Cross.
Your are invited to join myself and Father Justin Nolan, FSSP, associate pastor of Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne parish in Kansas City, who will be visiting St. Agnes on Friday, March 13. He will give a talk entitled, "The Liturgical Principles of the Mass: The Most Beautiful Thing This Side of Heaven". There will be a meet and greet with Fr. Nolan at 4 pm, followed by a potluck dinner at 5 pm. Fr. Nolan's talk begins at 6 pm. The event will be held in the school cafeteria. All are welcome!
In Christo Jesu et
Maria Immaculata,
Father Jeff Fasching
EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)
CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching
March 8th 2015
Third Sunday of Lent
Epistle: Eph. 5: 1-9
Gospel: Lk. 11: 14-28
Mon 9-- No Latin Mass
Tue 10 Feria of Lent
Wed 11 Feria of Lent
Thu 12 Feria of Lent
Fri 13 Feria of Lent
Stations of the Cross will be prayed after Mass on Fridays during Lent.
On each of the Fridays of Lent, a plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who, after Communion, recite the “Prayer Before a Crucifix.”
Zeal for my Father’s house has eaten my up, says Jesus Christ (psalm 69). Our Lord cannot tolerate disorder or anything unbecoming in His Holy Sanctuary. The Church is a House of Prayer and the palace of the King of Kings. We should have a jealous care of the cleanliness of the table of the altar. It is the throne on which the Divine Majesty descends! We must guard the purity of the holy vessels which will touch the Immaculate Lamb, and the decency of the vestments which must cover Christ in the person of His priest while the Holy Sacrifice is being offered. Those priests who truly love Jesus Christ perform with dignity and with great reverence the slightest ceremonies of the Sacred Liturgy. They do it with attention, with mind and heart united with Christ, the High Priest.
When a priest offers the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, heaven itself bends down toward him with reverence and gratitude. The angels and the Blessed surround Christ’s priests with veneration and urge them to offer the Divine Victim. They pray that we unite their adoration with that of the Sacred Host which the priest holds in his hands. The Blessed Virgin Mary herself, the Queen of all priests, is present each day at the Holy Sacrifice. She is happy to renew, thanks to her priests, the offering of her Son which she once made in tears at the foot of the Cross.
Your are invited to join myself and Father Justin Nolan, FSSP, associate pastor of Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne parish in Kansas City, who will be visiting St. Agnes on Friday, March 13. He will give a talk entitled, "The Liturgical Principles of the Mass: The Most Beautiful Thing This Side of Heaven". There will be a meet and greet with Fr. Nolan at 4 pm, followed by a potluck dinner at 5 pm. Fr. Nolan's talk begins at 6 pm. The event will be held in the school cafeteria. All are welcome!
In Christo Jesu et
Maria Immaculata,
Father Jeff Fasching
Monday, March 2, 2015
The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
Zeal for my Father’s house has eaten my up, says Jesus Christ (psalm 69). Our Lord cannot tolerate disorder or anything unbecoming in His Holy Sanctuary. The Church is a House of Prayer and the palace of the King of Kings. We should have a jealous care of the cleanliness of the table of the altar. It is the throne on which the Divine Majesty descends! We must guard the purity of the holy vessels which will touch the Immaculate Lamb, and the decency of the vestments which must cover Christ in the person of His priest while the Holy Sacrifice is being offered. Those priests who truly love Jesus Christ perform with dignity and with great reverence the slightest ceremonies of the Sacred Liturgy. They do it with attention, with mind and heart united with Christ, the High Priest.
When a priest offers the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, heaven itself bends down toward him with reverence and gratitude. The angels and the Blessed surround Christ’s priests with veneration and urge them to offer the Divine Victim. They pray that we unite their adoration with that of the Sacred Host which the priest holds in his hands. The Blessed Virgin Mary herself, the Queen of all priests, is present each day at the Holy Sacrifice. She is happy to renew, thanks to her priests, the offering of her Son which she once made in tears at the foot of the Cross.
Your are invited to join myself and Father Justin Nolan, FSSP, associate pastor of Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne parish in Kansas City, who will be visiting St. Agnes on Friday, March 13. He will give a talk entitled, "The Liturgical Principles of the Mass: The Most Beautiful Thing This Side of Heaven". There will be a meet and greet with Fr. Nolan at 4 pm, followed by a potluck dinner at 5 pm. Fr. Nolan's talk begins at 6 pm. The event will be held in the school cafeteria. All are welcome!
In Christ,
Fr. Jeff Fasching
When a priest offers the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, heaven itself bends down toward him with reverence and gratitude. The angels and the Blessed surround Christ’s priests with veneration and urge them to offer the Divine Victim. They pray that we unite their adoration with that of the Sacred Host which the priest holds in his hands. The Blessed Virgin Mary herself, the Queen of all priests, is present each day at the Holy Sacrifice. She is happy to renew, thanks to her priests, the offering of her Son which she once made in tears at the foot of the Cross.
Your are invited to join myself and Father Justin Nolan, FSSP, associate pastor of Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne parish in Kansas City, who will be visiting St. Agnes on Friday, March 13. He will give a talk entitled, "The Liturgical Principles of the Mass: The Most Beautiful Thing This Side of Heaven". There will be a meet and greet with Fr. Nolan at 4 pm, followed by a potluck dinner at 5 pm. Fr. Nolan's talk begins at 6 pm. The event will be held in the school cafeteria. All are welcome!
In Christ,
Fr. Jeff Fasching
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