Ember Days: Pre-55, 1962, and Today
The pre-55 counting made the Ember Days coincide with the Cross.
Forgotten Customs of Our Lady’s Nativity
Thy birth, O Virgin Mother of God, proclaimed joy to the whole world; for from Thee arose the sun of righteousness, Christ our God; who released us from the curse, and gave us blessing; and confounding death, He granted us eternal life. -Greek antiphon chanted at the Magnificat for Vespers II September 8th One of…
The Forgotten Customs of Assumption Day
You have crowned the year with your bounty, and your paths overflow with a rich harvest; The untilled meadows overflow with it, and rejoicing clothes the hills. The fields are garmented with flocks and the valleys blanketed with grain. They shout and sing for joy. -Blessing of Herbs on Assumption Day The Importance of the…
The Finding of the Relics of St. Stephen: Martyrdom and Easter Glory United
The finding of the relics of St. Stephen, with Sts. Gamaliel, Nicodemus, and Abibas.
Feasts Lost to Duplication: Pope St. Leo II, St. Anacletus, and the Vanishing of “Double Feasts”
Remembered for confirming the decrees of the Sixth Ecumenical Council.
Forgotten Customs of the Precious Blood
Above: Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, with gushing blood, detail of the Ghent Altarpiece, Jan van Eyck, c. 1432. The History of the Feast According to the Traditional Catholic Calendar of 1962 and prior, July 1st is the Feast of the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ. This feast was instituted for the Universal…
Forgotten Customs of Saints Peter and Paul
The Apostles began the rudiments of the Christian warfare with holy fasts, that, having to fight against spiritual wickednesses, they might take the armour of abstinence, wherewith to slay the incentives to vice.
Forgotten Customs of St. John the Baptist
The Nativity of St John, like that of Our Lord, was celebrated by three Masses.
The Forgotten Customs of the Sacred Heart
I fear everything from my own wickedness and frailty, but I hope for all things from Thy goodness and bounty.
The Lost Corpus Christi Octave
"The mystery of the Eucharist is too great to be celebrated in a single day."
Forgotten Customs of the Octave of Pentecost
The Forgotten, Yet Ancient Vigil of Pentecost The Feast of Pentecost (i.e., White Sunday) is one of the principal feasts in the life of the Church. After Pentecost Sunday and its Octave, we will conclude Pascaltide and begin the Season after Pentecost. Consequently, the Vigil of Pentecost has been a day of required fasting and…