Tuesday, June 24, 2014

ST JOHN THE BAPTIST BONFIRE



St Johns fire this week at Latin Mass parish in Michigan


The parish of St Francis de Sales in Mableton will have the Blessing of the St Johns fire at 5:30 pm Saturday June 28th (please note this is a male only event) For directions see www.francisdesales.com
One of the most ancient blessings in the Roman Ritual is the Blessing of a bonfire on the Vigil of the Nativity of St John the Baptist. Pursuant to Summorum Pontificum you can ask your priest to utilize the Roman Ritual (in addition to the Missal & Breviary) and can ask him to perfom this blessing at your Church

If you are able to have your priest bless a bonfire here is the english translation of the Blessing for you to follow along:

BLESSING OF A BONFIRE on the Vigil of the Birthday of St. John the Baptist conferred by the clergy outside of church

In the Church's veneration of her saints the cult of John the Baptist had from earliest times and continues to have a most prominent and honored place. John gave testimony of the true light that shines in the darkness, although he proclaimed in utter humility: "He must increase, but I must decrease." And the Master also spoke in highest praise of His precursor: "I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist." Attuned to the words of the Gospel the Christians of former times were filled with love and enthusiasm for this saint, and expressed a justifiable conviviality at the approach of his feastday by lighting a bonfire the night before in front of their churches, in the market-place, on the hilltops, and in the valleys. The custom of St. John bonfires, indicative of a people with unabashed and childlike faith, continues in some places to this day.


P: Our help is in the name of the Lord.


All: Who made heaven and earth.

P: The Lord be with you.

All: May He also be with you.

Let us pray.
Lord God, almighty Father, the light that never fails and the source of all light, sanctify this new fire, and grant that after the darkness of this life we may come unsullied to you who are light eternal; through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

The fire is sprinkled with holy water; after which the clergy and the people sing the following hymn (for the music see the music supplement):

Hymn: Ut queant laxis
O for your spirit, holy John, to chasten
Lips sin-polluted, fettered tongues to loosen;
So by your children might your deeds of wonder
Meetly be chanted.
Lo! a swift herald, from the skies descending,
Bears to your father promise of your greatness;
How he shall name you, what your future story,
Duly revealing.
Scarcely believing message so transcendent,
Him for a season power of speech forsaketh,
Till, at your wondrous birth, again returneth,
Voice to the voiceless.
You, in your mother's womb all darkly cradled,
Knew your great Monarch, biding in His chamber,
Whence the two parents, through their offspring's merits,
Mysteries uttered.
Praise to the Father, to the Son begotten,
And to the Spirit, equal power possessing,
One God whose glory, through the lapse of ages,
Ever resounding.

P: There was a man sent from God.
All: Whose name was John.
Let us pray.
God, who by reason of the birth of blessed John have made this
day praiseworthy, give your people the grace of spiritual joy,
and keep the hearts of your faithful fixed on the way that leads
to everlasting salvation; through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.

The Faithful are in a cirlce around the fire and after the blessing walk 15 times counterclockwise while praying the Ave Maria. Old sacramentals that need to be disposed of are placed in the fire

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

TRADITIONAL CORPUS CHRISTI FOR SAVANNAH DIOCESE


Exterior of the Church


Good news for the Catholics in the Savannah Diocese there will be a traditional Solemn Mass and Eucharistic Procession at Our Lady Help of Christians for The Feast of Corpus Christi on Thursday June 19th at 7:00 pm. This is the closet traditional Mass for Catholics in the Savannah Diocese.  This will be in Aiken South Carolina. This tradition friendly church is located here:
St. Mary Help of Christians Church
Corner of Park Avenue & York Street
Aiken, SC 29802
Office – 803.649.4777

ALSO PLEASE NOTE THIS WONDERFUL PARISH WILL ALSO HAVE ANOTHER SOLEMN MASS ON FRIDAY JULY 25TH AT 7:00 PM FOR THE FEAST OF ST JAMES & COMMEMORATION OF ST CHRISTOPHER

Click here to watch a recent solemn mass at this church
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCUyhJJSf9o

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

NEW PRIESTS FIRST MASSES & BLESSINGS


Friar of the FFI kisses the palms of
a new priest after first blessings


NEWLY ORDAINED PRIESTS FIRST MASS & BLESSINGS
Two newly ordained priests of the FSSP will be visiting the parish of St Francis de Sales in Mableton to say First Masses and impart their First Blessings. Father Heenan will celebrate a solemn high Mass on the Feast of the Sacred Heart at 7:30 pm on Friday June 27th. Father Akers will celebrate a solemn high mass at 11:30 am on Sunday June 29th for the Feast of Peter & Paul. After both masses they will impart first blessings. After you receive your blessing you kiss both palms of the newly consecrated hands of the priests. These masses carry a plenary indulgence.
For directions see www.francisdesales.com

Latin Mass in Macon on Hold




St Josephs in Macon will put the Sunday Latin Mass on hold for the summer and will resume the first Sunday High Masses in September. This is the normal procedure each year for the schola to take a break and allow vacations