The Meditation The First Sunday in Advent A.D. 2018 December 2 nd A.D. 2018 The Immaculate Conception (1635) Painting by Jose de Ribera (1591-1652) Spanish/Italian Baroque painter 1
The Collect for the First Sunday in Advent almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which thy Son, Jesus Christ, came to visit us in great humility : that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge the quick and the dead ; we may rise to the life immortal. Through the same Jesus Christ thy Son, our Lord. Who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God. Throughout all ages of ages. World without end. Amen. Collect from a 1503 Sarum Missal: Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, Thy power, and come, that we may be accounted worthy to be rescued by Thy protection from the threatening dangers of our sins to be set free by thy deliverance. Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, throughout all ages of ages. Amen. Advent is a time to prepare for the coming of Jesus Christ. Christmas is the feast of His arrival and of our deliverance. His birth means our salvation. There s a longing that is as intense as that of the Old Testament prophets and saints, and holy Church looks forward to the day on which she will celebrate Christ s first Advent. This longing isn t merely for the anniversary of events that took place in a distant past. Advent and Christmas aren t commemorations; they are yesterday and today! We can and we should think of them as current events, especially in light of current earthly events. Jesus Christ is on His way this very moment, and at Christmas, He is truly born again and we are truly saved and delivered from the yoke of Satan and the slavery of our sins. Each Christmas Day is a day of salvation for us, since Jesus is born anew. It will also bring our final deliverance nearer. That s why every Advent-tide makes us eagerly long for Christ s coming. Our need for Him is all the greater, because year after year, we realize more, our need for Him to be ever closer to us. The prayer of the prophet Isaiah makes this clear to us: Drop down, ye heavens from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the Lord have created it. (Isaiah; Chap. 45, Vs. 8) [1] The more we desire it, the better we ll understand the full meaning of Christ s approach, and the richer the fruits of our meeting with Him will be. Here we ll see more clearly, the contrast between Almighty God s power and our weaknesses. We ll see how perfectly His help is adapted to our needs. Jesus Christ is our Savior and His ear is always open to our cries, pleas of distress and our petitions for help. 2
Complacency, conceit, and self-interest are completely contrary to the spirit of Advent. The Christian is faced with a real challenge during this time of year, for the secular world ingrains itself into its own interpretation of the season, which has become even more distant, ambivalent, and even hostile. The spirit of the age and political correctness (tools of the Devil, like it or not), are slowly eroding and seeking to eliminate age-old traditions all tied to the coming of Jesus Christ. Holy Mother Church encourages in us a healthy understanding and acknowledgement of our own weaknesses and consciousness of our sins. The Church s Advent doctrine is based upon the dogma of original sin [2], that sin which has given the evil one such an influence over us and all mankind. As such, it s easy for us to be inclined to do what is wrong rather than what is right. It s becoming a very smooth transition, as opposing forces subtly draw unknowing, unsuspecting, and naïve souls from the True Light, to one that is artificial and man-made, and therefore nothing more than a seasonal sham that touts a false inclusiveness over the real Truth, the birth of Jesus Christ. No prayer should be in more keeping with the spirit of Advent than these words of the Psalmist: Out of the deep have I called unto thee, O Lord; Lord hear my voice. O let thine ears consider well the voice of my complaint. If thou, Lord, wilt be extreme to mark what is done amiss, O Lord, who may abide it? For there is mercy with thee; therefore, shalt thou be feared. I will look for the Lord; my soul doth wait for him; in his word is my trust......o Israel, trust in the Lord; for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him there is plenteous redemption. And he shall Redeem Israel from all his sins. Psalm 130 (129) Have mercy upon me, O God, after thy great goodness; according to the multitude of thy mercies do away mine offences. Wash me thoroughly from my wickedness, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my faults, and my sin is ever before me...... The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit: a broken and contrite heart, O God, shalt thou not despise. Psalm 51(50); Vss. 1-3 & 17. Innumerable troubles are come about me; my sins have taken such hold upon me that I am not able to look up; yea, they are more in number than the hairs of my head, and my heart faileth me... As for me, I am poor and needy; but the Lord careth for me. Thou art my helper and redeemer; make no long tarrying O my God. Psalm 40 (39) Vss. 15 & 20 Many such prayers, perfect for the Advent Season, can be found in the psalms. They consist of prayers voiced by a humble and contrite spirit, whose trust is in God. They sum up all of our needs and give a perfect expression of our confidence, which increases our longing for Him Who 3
is to come, preparing us to meet our God. He s already on the way: already the Good Shepherd is seeking out His lost sheep. In every meeting between God and man, it is God Who advances. Our first instinct might be to flee from Him knowing of our sinfulness and unworthiness. However, trusting in His promises, we turn around and bid our Lord, come, wait no longer! Come with thy help and salvation! O Lord make speed to save me, O Lord, make haste to help me! The prophet Isaiah writes: The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master s crib (Isaiah; Chap. 1. Vs. 3), and both will stand in the stable at Bethlehem. The fidelity of these supposedly dumb animals puts us to shame, as it did the Jews to whom the prophet s warning was addressed [3]. Let us begin our own journey to the Christmas crib through prayerful preparation, sincere reconciliation, and hopeful expectation. St. Caesarius[4] in a sermon bids us to go to meet the Lord with a pure conscience. It would, in other words, be good for us to make a confession in Advent, in order to meet Him on that great day of His Nativity, when we shall receive His Body, the life-giving food for our souls. St. John reminds us: Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life. (St. John; Chap. 6; Vs. 54). Clean and pure hearts and souls united in the pureness of love on the birth of our Savior, can there be anything more beautiful and so good? Increase our desire for thee, O Lord; bring our salvation ever closer. Come Lord Jesus! Meditation Notes: [1] This passage from Isaiah serves as the Introit (Entrance) prayer for the Ember-Wednesday in Advent and Introit for the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Twice in a season, ought to mean for us that this is most worthy of our attention and meditation. [2] Original Sin: In Christian theology, it s the state of sin that mankind has been held captive since the fall of Adam. Its essential element is the loss of sanctifying grace. Scriptural foundation for this doctrine comes from St. Paul: Wherefore, as by one men sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned... That as sin hath reigneth unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans; Chap. 5, Vss. 12-21) The Church teaches that the stain of Original sin is removed from the soul by the sacrament of Baptism and the soul is infused with grace and incorporated into the Christian Church. Advent recalls this to mind in its spirit of expectation of the birth of Christ, Who once and for all takes away the sin of the world. Advent is a penitential season, but not along the lines of severity that characterizes Lent. Prayer and Penance is encouraged, but introspection and anticipation of the coming of the Christ- Child remains the main focus. [3] Isaiah; Ch. 1 Vs. 3 continues:...but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider. [4] St. Caesarius of Arles (Gaul) b.468 d.542 : This saint exerted a powerful influence in the area of Gaul where he resided and held office. Gifted with a deep faith and religious zeal, he was excluded from his family who remained pagan. The conversion to Christianity in the late Roman Empire was never uniform and places of paganism remained, especially among the poorer classes. Caesarius was educated by monks, his mentor being a Bp. Sylvester. His greatest influence came from the writings of St. Augustine of Hippo. He was consecrated Bishop of 4
Arles in 500, and became a great churchman. He is said to have been a popular preacher of great fervor and enduring influence. Over 250 of his sermons exist today. His zeal for the Faith enabled the full Christianization of parts of Gaul that had been invaded by barbarians. He presided over several councils, most notably the Council of Orange in 529. He established many monastic houses for both men and women, and is believed to have been the first bishop to receive the pallium from the pope. His feast day is on August 27. Pallium: The circular band of white wool with two hanging strips and marked with six dark purple crosses which is worn on the shoulders of the pope and granted by him to archbishops (and sometimes bishops) of the Roman Catholic Church symbolizing its unity with the pontifical office. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - A Little Advent Office Here s a simple little prayer office that may help you in your Advent preparations in receiving our Lord at Christmas When to pray it: Pray this Office at some convenient time in your day...include it in your morning prayers or at noon...or any time that fits. Pray it once a day, every day in Advent, or if that s not possible try: Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays in Advent. How to pray it: Just follow it as presented. Note that the Antiphons, Readings, and Collects change each week during the Advent season, so be sure to use them accordingly. Also, depending upon what psalter or Bible you are using, the psalms are numbered differently, hence you ll find a psalm listed in parenthesis ( ), as well as their Latin incipients (opening words). Praying this little office slowly and meditatively, will greatly assist your Advent experience and add to your joyful expectation of our Lord s Birth, despite the many outside distractions we face nowadays! Opening Verses: Verse: O God (+) Come to my Assistance. Response: O Lord, make haste to help me. Antiphon: (For the first week in Advent) : Stir up thy power O Lord, and come to our rescue. Psalms (3): Psalm 130 (129) - De profundis Psalm 51 (50) - Miserere mei, Deus Psalm 40 (39) - Expectans expectavi 5
Antiphon: Stir up thy power O Lord, and come to our rescue. Reading: (For the First Week in Advent) : The night is far spent, the day is at hand : let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armor of Light. (Romans; Chap. 13, Vs. 12) Kyrie : Lord Have Mercy upon us Christ Have mercy upon us Lord have mercy upon us Pater Noster: Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name...... and lead us not into temptation. But deliver us from evil. Amen. Collect: (for the First week in Advent) : Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armor of light, now and in the time of this mortal life, in which thy son, Jesus Christ, came to visit us in great humility: that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the quick and the dead ; we may rise to the life immortal. Through the Same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Conclusion: Verse: Let us bless the Lord. Response: Thanks be to God. ( + ) Amen. ------------------------------------------ Office concludes ------------------------------------ Variable parts of the Office: Second Week in Advent: Antiphon: Tarry not, O my God; Come now and deliver thy heritage. Reading: Brethren: Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we, through patience, and comfort of the Scriptures, might have hope. (Rom. Ch 15, Vs. 4) Collect: Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, and inwardly digest them; that, by patience, and comfort of thy holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in thy Son our Savior, Jesus Christ. Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God. World without end. Amen. 6
Third Week in Advent: Antiphon: The Lord will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths. Reading: Therefore, judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. (I Corinthians; Chap. 4, Vs. 5) Collect: O Lord Jesus Christ, who at thy first coming didst send thy messenger to prepare thy way before thee: grant that the ministers and stewards of thy mysteries may likewise so prepare and make ready thy way, by turning hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, that at thy second coming to judge the world we may be found an acceptable people in thy sight. Who livest and reignest with the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God. World without end. Amen. Fourth Week in Advent: Antiphon: The Lord cometh, go ye out to meet him. Reading: Be careful for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. ( Phil. Chap. 4. Vs. 6) Collect: O Lord, raise up we pray thee, thy power, and come among us, and with great might succor us: that whereas, through our sins and wickedness, we are sore let and hindered in running the race that is set before us, thy bountiful grace and mercy may speedily help and deliver us. Through the same Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord. Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen. Vigil of Christmas: (Christmas Eve): Antiphon: Behold all things are fulfilled which were spoken by the Angel of the Virgin Mary Reading: He was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. (Romans; Chap. 1, Vs. 4) Collect: O God, who makest us glad with the yearly Expectation of the birth of thine only Son Jesus Christ: grant that we joyfully receive Him for our Redeemer, so we may with sure confidence behold Him when he shall come to be our Judge. Through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord. Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost. One God. World without end. Amen. Office composed by Fr. K. LaMarre, O.S.B. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 7
Priory Kalendar For the week of: December 2 nd to December 9 th A.D. 2018 In the Advent Season Sunday, December 2 nd... First Sunday in Advent Monday, December 3 rd.. St. Francis Xavier; C., S.J. - 16 th cent. Spain, Japan &The World Tuesday, December 4 th... St. Peter Chrysologus; Bp. C. & Doct. - 5 th cent. St. Clement of Alexandria; C. & Doct. - 3 rd cent. Egypt Wednesday, December 5 th... St. Sabbas; Abt. - 5 th cent. Palestine. Thursday, December 6 th... St. Nicolas; B. & C. 4 th cent. Asia Minor Friday, December 7 th. St. Ambrose of Milan; Bp., C. & Doct.- 4 th cent...day of Abstinence Saturday, December 8 th.. Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Sunday, December 9 th... Second Sunday in Advent December 3 rd December 4 th December 6 th St. Francis Xavier St. Peter Chrysologus St. Nicolas 8
Guardian Angel Card of the Week Untitled Guardian Angel Card KALENDAR KEY: Abt. = Abbot, Abs. = Abbess, Abp = Archbishop, Anc. = Anchorite, Ancs. = Anchoress, Ap. = Apostle, Bl. = Blessed, Br. = Brother, Bp. = Bishop, Card. = Cardinal, C. or Conf. = Confessor, Comm. = Commemoration/Commemorate, Dcn. = Deacon, Doct. = Doctor of the Church, Ev. = Evangelist, H. = Hermit, LBr. = Lay Brother, LSr. = Lay Sister, K. = King, Mat. = Matron, M. = Monk, M.M. = Month s Mind ( Requiem for the recently departed on the 30 th day after death or burial). Myr. = Martyr, N. = Nun, Obl. = Oblate, P. = Priest, Po. = Pope, Pr. = Prior, Prs. = Prioress, R. = Recluse, RM = Requien Mortuorum, ( Mass and Offices for the departed once a month as designated on Kalendar). SDcn. = Sub Deacon, Q. = Queen, Ven. = Venerable, Vir.=Virgin, W. = Widow. FASTING KEY: A = Abstinence, F = Fast, F & A = Fast and Abstinence RELIGIOUS ORDER ABBREVIATIONS: C.O = Congregation of the Oratory (Oratorians), C.P. = Congregation of the Passion (Passionists), C.S.J. = Congregation of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), Er. Cam. = Camaldolese Hermits, F.P. O. = Franciscans of the Primitive Observance, O. Car. = Carmelite Order, O. Cart. Carthusian Order, O.C.D. = Order of Discalced Friars (Carmelites), O.F.A. = Augustinian Order, O.F.M = Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans), O.F.M. Cap = Capuchin Order, O.P. = Order of Preachers (Dominicans also called Blackfriars ), O. Praem. = Order of Cannons Regular (Norbertines), O.S.B. = Order of St. Benedict (Benedictines), O.Ss. S. = Bridgettines, O.S.U = Ursulines, O.C.O. = Order of the Cistercian 9
Observance (Trappists/Trappistines), O.C.S.O. = Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance (Trappists/ Trappistines). Tert. = Tertiary (Third Order religious) About the Meditation and About Us The Meditation is an online apostolate of Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Priory in Raymond, Maine, USA. We are an Anglican-Catholic Benedictine contemplative community that follows the Holy Rule of St. Benedict, the 5 th century Father of Western Monasticism. We are resident within the Diocese of the Northeast (DNE), of the Anglican Church in America (ACA), a member of the worldwide Traditional Anglican Communion (TAC). The Meditation is a weekly online offering that is sent out free of charge to anyone who desires to receive it. Subscribers may copy and pass along The Meditation to their families and friends, or send us their e-address (with their permission) to add to our subscription list so they may receive it directly from us. Each issue is sent out as a BCC (Blank Copy) in respect to subscriber privacy and online security. To subscribe, contact us at: klamarre@maine.rr.com To read past issues of the Meditation, please go to our website at: www.ourladyofsevensorrows.org and you can find them in the section marked Meditations on the homepage. PLEASE NOTE: In respect to our contemplative vocation and the animals in our rescue and rehab center, we do not have guest or bathroom facilities and do not regularly receive visitors. Fr. Kevin is available to hear confessions and give spiritual direction by appointment only. Please contact via email to make an appointment or to make us aware of your needs, concerns and intentions for our prayerful attention. It is our privilege to pray for you. PLEASE CONSIDER REMEMBERING US IN YOUR ESTATE PLANNING Contact Sr. Mary Francis, O.S.B. for more information via our email address Feasts, Fasts, and Other Things Double Dipping! In the recent November elections here in Maine, a candidate running for office was accused by their opponent of double dipping...getting two paychecks off the state. While that s politics as usual, we suppose, who would have thought the same thing in a little different form could happen in a quiet little monastery?! Well, here are the deets on that... This past week we celebrated the feast of St. Silvester Gozzolini, a Benedictine abbot who founded an order of Benedictines called the Silvesterine Order in the 12 th century. It s a custom here at the Priory, that on the feast-day of one s name sake or patron Saint, they are granted to partake of a little treat that they normally might not regularly have. Sr. Mary-Francis, on the feast of St. Francis of Asissi (October 1 st ) enjoys a carmel sundae, in addition to giving treats to all the animals, Br. Raymond likes a piece of rum-cake on the feast of St. Raymond Nonnatus (August 31 st ), and Fr Prior Kevin enjoys a bag of Humpty-Dumpty Bar-B-Que chips on the feast of St. Kevin (June 3 rd ). Finally, our little Br. Silvester likes, what else... a beer. Here s where the double dipping comes in...stay with me now...! 10
There are four saints of the Order named Silvester listed in the Benedictine Martyrology (the official book of our Order listing all the Benedictine Saints, martyrs, and worthies) along with their feast days. There are no less than five saints named Silvester in the general register of Saints, (which we use to round out our Kalender) They are St. Silvester, a 6 th century Benedictine Abbot, (April 15 th ), Silvester Ventura, a 13 th century Camaldolese lay brother (June 9 th ), Silvester of Chalons, 6 th century French bishop, (November 20 th ), Silvester Gozzolini, 12 th century Benedictine Abbot and founder of the Silvesterine Order,( Nov. 26 th ), & Pope St. Silvester, 4 th century Roman Pontiff, (December 31 st ). Evidently, our furry little lay brother, takes no chance of offending any of these good saints, and celebrates each and every one of them! It appears that not a season goes by when a Feast of St. Silvester comes round for celebration, and as such, a cold can of PBR (Pabst Blue Ribbon) is consumed by their little devotee in their honor! Now, this may well have gone unnoticed if it hadn t been for the fact that there are two observances of St. Silvester s within a week of one another, November 20 th and November 26 th!!! It came to pass that on November 26 th a photo was taken of Br. Sylvester as he was about to open a can of his favorite beverage. Evidently, he was about to toast to the sacred memory of St. Silvester Gozzolini! It didn t take much for our good Prior to put 2 + 2 + 2 together and come out with 6...the number of Feasts that Br. not-so-sly had been observing (he threw in an extra just for good measure!) Now, enjoying a can of beer by a human is one thing, but for a little squirrel, well, the photo says it all. There obviously is enough in a 12 oz. can to put our little brother into another time zone or dimension altogether! While no major breach of our Rule and customary was made... one could say it was stretched... pretty good! Fr. Prior asked Br. Sylvester to settle on one St. Silvester to celebrate and get back to him on it. And, NO...he couldn t change saints every year! Ya gotta give this little squirrel credit for creativity if nothing else. The can of beer? This was solved in a very King Solomon-esque manner with our Prior opening it up, taking a sip and passing it around to the brothers until it was emptied. Someone commented that the evening office of Vespers sounded a little more robust than usual...! Well, it was the feast of St. Silvester after all! Will the real St. Silvester please stand up?! -An anonymous photo 11
Feasts, Fasts, and Other Things are from The Chipmunks Nutshell Library, a frequent offering presented by our very learned brother, Br. A. Chip Munk, O.S.B. a munk of Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Priory in Raymond, Maine, U.S.A. Animal News By Sr. Mary Francis, O.S.B. Black Friday at the Priory! The shopping centers weren t the only places teeming with activity on the day after Thanksgiving! Between the horses, the turkeys, other birds, squirrels, and chipmunks, the back porch was a busy place the day after Thanksgiving! Seems like they came in shifts. 12
Oliver (the clean-up crew) tries the steps out. Br. Sylvester Squirrell loads up on pumpkin and controlled the flow of traffic. 13
Hungry and curious turkeys, now named Thelma and Louise, take over the porch. Dinner and a show... it just doesn t get any better around here! PAX 14
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