The Meditation The First Sunday in Advent A.D. 2015 Joseph s Dream c. 1790 By Gaetano Gandolfi 1734-1802 Italian Rococo painter Collect for the First Sunday in Advent lmighty 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 both the quick and the dead, we may rise to life immortal, through Him Who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, now and forever. Amen.
2. Dear Friends: Once again, on the First Sunday of Advent we stand at the gate of a new liturgical year. The cycle within the Holy Catholic Church begins anew the civil calendar will begin again in a few short weeks as well. To those of you hardy souls who have been receiving the Meditation from the very beginning, now some two years ago, you know that we have attempted to make use of the Church s yearly liturgical cycle to provide the texts or readings as material for a weekly meditation for our mutual spiritual benefit in our journeys of faith. The first two years our sources were taken from the Gospel and Epistle readings as listed in the Lectionary of the Anglican 1928 Book of Common Prayer. This lectionary, initially based upon the Medieval English Sarum Lectionary, is the same lectionary in the People s Anglican Missal American Edition, the Missale Anglicanum ( aka; The Knott Missal ), and in the main, the Pre-Vatican II Roman Lectionary. The assigned reading was also listed for those who do not have these books, but could find ready reference in their own Bible. We hope that this was helpful to you. This being our third year, we will continue to follow the liturgical cycle. The texts that we ll draw from for the weekly Meditations will be the assigned Collect (Mass Prayer) for the Sunday of the week again, as taken from the 1928 Book of Common Prayer. Each week s Collect will be presented to you as it is taken from the Prayer Book to serve as ready reference, but also to present to those who do not have their own Prayer Book, or for those with the older Roman hand Missals where the Collect may not be the same or the translation not exactly worded. It has been the greatest privilege and pleasure to research, compose, write, and send out our little offering to you each week. I am deeply indebted to all here at Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Priory who contribute to this production in so many ways, for this is in no way a solo effort. Sr. Mary Francis not only keeps us updated on the animal happenings around the farm, but does a much needed and greatly appreciated hidden job of correcting my spelling and grammar mistakes, which sometimes can be legion! Our plucky little contributing writers; Brothers, Chip, Sylvester, and Raymond, offer their unique insights and share their knowledge from the perspective of God s animal kingdom. Also, Jack the Cat, a newer arrival to the Priory, whose antics keep us not only entertained, but have lowered the varmint population substantially, which has contributed to lowering our feed bill as well. Last, but not least, are ALL the animals who reside here at the Priory, of which each one is a blessing sent to us from God. We have learned from them and have received from them, more than anything that we could have obtained from a library of books. Love does indeed work many marvels! We are grateful to you, our subscribers. We are deeply humbled by the trust you have placed in our offering to you and continue into this New Year, with Almighty God s grace and inspiration, to offer this weekly gift to all who wish to receive it. We are a contemplative Benedictine community, and have in recent years, slowly moved from active work toward a deeper life of enclosure and a more strict observance of the Holy Rule of St. Benedict. The Meditation has become our main apostolate to our friends, the Church Catholic, and the world. It is an apostolate that we desire to share with all.
3. Please pray for us in this work, as we enter into year number three of this offering to all who are like ourselves seeking God. Pax et Bonum Peace and Blessings. Fr. Prior Kevin L. LaMarre, O.S.B. + Meditation Advent I he Collect for the First Sunday in Advent speaks to us of light. The coming birth of Christ is a light that will shine in the darkness for all who seek it. Light is the symbol of truth in the language of the Scriptures and Christ says, I am truth. (St. John; Ch. 14, Vs 6.) Light is also a symbol of joy and gladness. Christ is indeed joy for the Christian soul. Lift up, O Lord, the light of thy holy countenance upon us, (Psalm 4 ) the Psalmist wrote. He was praying for the advent of the Messiah. We are, when we use the same words, praying for truth, the light of our minds and the joy of our hearts. All becomes clearer to us in that light, and all God s creatures are illuminated by this source of joy. Jesus tells us: I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (St. John; Ch. 8, Vs 12). Walking in the light and putting on the armor of light are biblical metaphors meaning that we are to follow the example of Him who calls Himself the world s Light. (see St. John; Ch. 9, Vs. 5). Ever since it first shone upon the world, mankind s first duty has been to follow the light, just as the Wise Men of old followed the star which led them to Bethlehem. It shines for each one of us, lighting the way which will bring us to God. We become children of light by living in the light. All around us lies the kingdom of darkness, even though at this time of year it is well covered by artificial lights which of themselves are lovely indeed. Their brilliance, however, belies an unseen purpose, which is to draw souls away from the true Light which is Jesus Christ in favor of the products of darkness which would deny Christ and even Almighty God altogether. We have gone, as a society, from the outright exploitation of the upcoming season in the material sense, to the nearly complete removal of the reason for the Season, for more palatable and inclusive illuminations. The thinking Christian knows that the babe of Bethlehem will one day, as a full grown man proclaim to the world : I am the way, the truth, and the life no one comes to the Father but through me. (St. John: Chap. 14, Vs. 6) in him was life ; and the life was the light of men (St. John; Chap. 1, Vs. 4). } This is a sober reminder that nothing can hide from the true and pure Light. St. John writes in an Epistle to the first Christians: This then is the message we have heard of him and declare unto you. That God is light, and in him is no darkness at all; if we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not have the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and in the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (I St. John: Chap. I, Vss 5-7.) God is light in Himself. His Son is the light which enlightens every human being. St. Athanasius, who made such a profound study of the relations between the Persons of the Blessed Trinity, wrote: As it is with the sun and its rays, so it is with the Father and the Son. The light of the sun and its rays is one, but it reaches us through the rays.
4. When God sent us His Son, He sent His light, but; The light shone in the darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not. (St. John; Ch 1, Vs. 5). The true Light came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them which believe on his Name. (St. John; Chap. 1, Vs. 11-12). God kindled His light in us when, in Baptism, He gave us His spirit. He charged us, at the same time, to let it shine before mankind; to set it on the candlestick, lifting high enough to drive away the surrounding darkness: ( Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. St. Matt.; Ch. 5, Vs 6.). We must see to it that our light burns clear. The parable of the wise and the foolish virgins teaches us that we must always keep our lamps trimmed; then no darkness will alarm us. How pertinent this is when one considers the sad events in this troubled world. How reassuring the words of the Psalmist should be to us, however : Yea, the darkness is no darkness with thee. But the night is as clear as the day; the darkness and light to thee are both alike. (Psalm 139: Vs. 11). Let us, at this time of the Church s New Year, and in this time of our mortal lives, cast away the works of darkness, which will only lead to death, and put on the armor of light the Light that is Jesus Christ. ord Jesus, Light of the world, enkindle your light in us. May we, your children of the Light, be signposts to show those among whom we live, the way to You. May they one day say of us; It was in your light that we first saw life! Feasts, Fasts, and Other Things Advent The great solemnity of the Nativity of our Lord on December 25th, as in ancient times, may be regarded as the beginning of the Christian year, the annual liturgical cycle actually starts on
5. Advent Sunday, which is that Sunday nearest to, or on St. Andrew s Day, November 30 th. The earliest being November 27 th, and the latest being December 3 rd. There follows a season of spiritual preparation for Christmas, the English name for the festival, which is derived from the Latin: Christes-messe (festival of the) Mass of Christ. The season of preparation ends at First Vespers (in monastic churches) or First Evensong ( in parish churches) on Christmas Eve, December 24 th. There are four Sundays within this period of preparation, either numbered consecutively, First, Second, Third, and Fourth of or in Advent, or inversely, Fourth, Third, Second, and Next before Christmas. Many churches, in keeping with the solemnity of preparation that denotes the Advent Season, present a somewhat austere appearance. The predominant liturgical color, except on Saint s days, is purple, denoting inward preparation as well as penance. One wouldn t want to welcome their king with a dirty house, and so it is with Advent and the soul. Some churches and monastic houses, especially those of English patrimony will veil their altars in a deep blue. This custom is derived from the many uses that freely abounded in Pre-Reformation England, denoting a dedication to the Blessed Virgin Mary; Herself being a blessed tabernacle that carried our Lord for nine months. Here at St. Oswald s of Northumbria Chapel, the liturgical color used for Advent is the Medieval English blue, in honor of our Lady to Whom the Priory is dedicated, but also to honor the great treasure that lies in the Old Medieval English Use, which was second to none that existed on the Continent, although quite a few Breton, Norman, and some German churches followed many of the same customs as the English. Few realize that there existed a great diversity in liturgical observances during the Middle Ages. They all flowed in a harmony that directed both the clergy and faithful; toward beautiful, mystical, and dignified worship. Additionally flowers are absent, and the organ is usually played only to accompany office and congregational singing. The Te Deum Laudamus ( We praise thee, O God ) is omitted from the Morning Office, and the Gloria in Excelsus is omitted from all Masses. It will return on Christmas Eve Mass, to greet the birth of Jesus, resounding in the great triumph in the Nativity of our King of Kings. Generally, parish customs will tone things down a bit during Advent, but not nearly as much as is observed in Lent. The penitential aspect of Advent usefully fits the purpose of the season. The Catholic Christian prepares themselves, in a spirit of humble penance and contrition, for a worthy and fruitful celebration of the great feast of Christ s Nativity. This aspect of penance is not meant to be as harsh as those of the Lenten season and there is no prescribed fast, although abstinence is encouraged. The joyful expectation of the season helps people to perform penitential exercises in a mood of happy spiritual observance, in order to make ready the way of the Lord. (St. Matthew; Ch. 3, Vs. 3). Candles on an Advent wreath, a circle of evergreen foliage, may be lit consecutively, on each of the four Sundays, to symbolize the approach of the light which shineth in the darkness. (St. John; Ch. 1, Vs. 15). Some wreaths are small and mounted on a pedestal for all to see in the parish church, and others, like the wreath at St. Joseph s Abbey Church can be a large metal circle that is covered with boughs which is suspended by chains from the roof of the church.
6. Cistercian monks at St. Joseph s Abbey in Spencer, MA preparing their Advent wreath. Many hands make light the work all for One and One for all. We at Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Priory, as we begin this wonderful season of Advent, would like to wish one and all a Happy New Year as we begin a new year in the Church s cycle of worship. Although we are living in times of great uncertainty and anxiety, we also live in the HOPE that is Jesus Christ... who overcame the world for us all. Feasts, Fasts, and Other Things: from The Chipmunks Nutshell Library Is presented by Br. A. Chip Monk, O.S.B. A munk of Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Priory in Raymond, Maine, USA Br. Chip at Thanksgiving dinner (he like corn corn good!) ( Photo by Br. Raymond, quote from an dear old friend!) Br. Chip
7. Priory Kalendar For the week of November 29 th to December 6 th A.d. 2015 In Advent Season Sunday, November 29 th... First Sunday in Advent Great Litany sung at Mass today. Monday, November 30 th... St. Andrew; Ap./ & Myr. 1 st cent. Tuesday, December 1 st... comm. Bl. Nicolas Ferrar of Little Gidding, England: Dcn & C. 17 th cent. Wednesday December 2 nd..bl. Richard Whiting; Ab. OSB & Myr. Glastonbury, England 16 th cent. Thursday, December 3 rd St. Francis Xavier; C. CSJ. Patron of Foreign Missions, o 16 th cent. Friday, December 4 th... St. Clement of Alexandria; C. 3 rd cent. Egypt Day of Abstenence Saturday, December 5 th... comm. St. Sabas; Ab. & H. a Father of Eastern Monasticism, 5 th cent. Palestine Sunday, December 6 th... Second Sunday in Advent Great Litany sung at Mass today. alendar key: Ab. = 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, Dcn. = Deacon, Doct. = Doctor of the Church, Ev. = Evangelist, H. = Hermit, LBr. = Laybrother, LSr. = Laysister, K. = King, Mat. = Matron, M. = Monk, M.M. = Month s Mind ( 30 day requiem for the recently departed ), Myr. = Martyr, N. Nun, Obl. = Oblate, P. = Priest, P. or Po. = Pope, Pr. = Prior, Prs. = Prioress, R. = Recluse, RM = Requiem Mortorum, ( monthly requiem of the departed), Q. = Queen, Ven. = Venerable, Vir. = Virgin, W. = Widow. FASTING Key:.. A = Abstinence, F = Fast, F & A = Fast and Abstinence RELIGIOUS ORDERS: 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. = Capuchins, O.P. = Order of Preachers = Dominicans (Blackfriars), O. Praem. = Order of Cannons Regular Norbertines ( White Monks), O.S.B. = Order of St. Benedict Benedictines, O.S.U = Ursulines, O.C.O. = Order of the Cistercian Observance Trappists, O.C.S.O. = Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance = Trappists.
8. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Animal News from the Priory Late night Thanksgiving Visitors
9. You just never know who is going to show up at our back door! Sr. Mary Francis snapped some photos of two travelers who stopped by for a quick snack on her cell phone at 1.a.m. on the day after Thanksgiving. Perhaps the trip to see Grandma raccoon was long and the traffic through the woods heavy, so they grabbed a little pick-me-up to get themselves home. They certainly appear to be well-fed already! Anyways, that s why we always have a bowl of something ready on the back porch it s simply a part of Benedictine hospitality! Hmm what was Sr. Mary F. doing up at that hour?! Cats for the Times (with apologies to Card. J. H. Newman for the play on words! ) Not bloody likely here! says our Jack Our dear friends Pat and Carlos in Conn. For this chuckle!