Theodore the Studite

Monastic Office of Vigils    

The Stoudios Monastery as depicted
in an 11th-century manuscript.

Theodore the Studite: The Holy Spirit Comforts, Encouraging the Troubled Mind

PATRISTIC and Theodore the Studite Christ, comfort, fear, God, Holy Spirit, love, mind, paschal mystery,peace, redemption, struggles, Trinity, will of God Mark Armitage 7:24 am

By the grace of the Most Holy Spirit, we have been vouchsafed to celebrate Holy Pentecost—the descent of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus Christ said of this descent: Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter (that is, the Holy Spirit), will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth. (Jn. 16:7, 13).

This, His promise and benefit, is so great that we cannot even comprehend it: for the Lord promised to send not an Angel, not a man, but the Holy Spirit Himself.

Thus, having fulfilled the will of His Father, the Only Begotten Son ascends to heaven, and the Holy Spirit descends: not another God (never!), but another Comforter, as it is written.

O, the unutterable love for mankind! God Himself has become our Comforter.

Thus, He Himself comforts those who are weighed down by misfortune, prevents them from becoming exhausted in spirit, as the Holy Apostle testifies, saying:

Our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears. Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us (2 Cor. 7:5–6).

He comforts the heart frightened by demonic fear, raising it up to invincible courage through bold hope, as the Prophet David testifies: For Thou, O Lord, hast holpen me and comforted me (Ps. 85:17).

He comforts, encouraging the troubled mind, as it has been given a feast with God and rest, as the Apostle testifies, saying:

as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God (2 Cor. 5:20); that is, have peace, with God.

Do you see the unsearchable condescension? Do you see the incomparable gift?

On high, in the Heavens, the Only Begotten Son intercedes for us before the Father, as it is written: Who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us(Rom. 8:34).

Below, on the earth, the Holy Spirit comforts us in many ways.

What shall I render unto the Lord, for all that He has rendered unto me? (Ps. 115:4).

Is it not true, what the psalm says: All my bones shall say, Lord, O Lord, who is like unto Thee?

Delivering the beggar from the hand of them that are stronger than he, yea, poor man and pauper from them that despoil him (Ps. 34:11).

And again, My help cometh from the Lord, Who hath made heaven and the earth (Ps. 120:2).

Unless the Lord had brought me up, my soul had well nigh sojourned in hades (Ps. 93:17).

The Lord is my helper, and I shall not fear what man shall do unto me (Ps. 117:6).

Theodore the Studite: (759-826) @ Pravoslavie.   

Related: 

Theodore the Studite: Resting in Spirit through the Grace-Filled Breath of the Holy Spirit
In "PATRISTIC"

John Henry Newman: The Holy Spirit, the Comforter, Gives Us Strength to Resist the World

In "John Henry Newman"

Nikolai Velimirovich: The Son Abides in a Ceaseless Communion of Mutual Love, Obedience and Joy with the Holy Spirit and with the Father (1)

In "EASTERN ORTHODOX"

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2009/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20090527_en.html  
http://www.anastasis.org.uk/theodore.htm  
  CATECHESES TO HIS MONKS 

St. Martin of Tours. Vigils

Monastic Office of Vigils,

Monday, 11 November 2013
Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop
http://www.ibreviary.com/m/breviario.php

COMMENT:

The IRIS flowers displayed at the Altar appeared to be wilting. The vases of Carnations and Freesia very provided with water. The IRIS flowers proved to be bone dry of water.

Martin Mass too has lessons. [Martinmas [ˈmɑːtɪnməs], n

(Christianity / Ecclesiastical Terms) the feast of St Martin on Nov. 11; one of the four quarter days in Scotland].

The Antiphons on the life of St. Martin in the Liturgy orchestrates the short years;

not overcome by work
not conquered by death.

He neither feared to die
nor refused to go on living

Vigils. S. Martin of Tours. Memorial

Inv. The just man will flourish,
           Established in God's house.

Noct.I Ant.vij.  

Words cannot describe this man,
not overcome by work *
not conquered by death.

He neither feared to die
nor refused to go on living.

First Reading.
Resp.

Long before his death the blessed Martin
knew the day when he would die.
So he told his disciples

* that the time for the dissolution of his body was at hand,
for already he could feel his powers failing.

v. His bodily strength began suddenly to leave him;
so he called his disciples together and told them:

Vespers

Ant.2 vij .T

With eyes and hands
ever lifted heavenwards

Martin ever remained intent on prayer.
Alleluia, alleluia.

Ant.3 viij .T

Filled with joy, Martin is received
into Abraham' s bosom.

Martin who on earth, was poor and humble
enters heaven rich in merit

as heaven, s choirs
sing in his honour.

Cant.6 vi.j .T

Lord, if your people still need me
I shall not refuse to go on working

Your will be done.
Your will be done.

Resp.  Great are your deeds, O Lord

Prayer

Lord God,

you were glorified

by the life and death of Saint Martin.

Renew the wonders of your grace in our hearts

so that neither death nor life

may separate us from your love.

We make our prayer through ••••.

SECOND READING

From a letter by Sulpicius Severus
(Epist. 3, 6, 9-10. 11. 14-17. 21: SC 133. 336-344)

Martin the poor and humble man

Martin knew long in advance the time of his death and he told his brethren that it was near. Meanwhile, he found himself obliged to make a visitation of the parish of Candes. The clergy of that church were quarreling, and he wished to reconcile them. Although he knew that his days on earth were few, he did not refuse to undertake the journey for such a purpose, for he believed that he would bring his virtuous life to a good end if by his efforts peace was restored in the church.

He spent some time in Candes, or rather in its church, where he stayed. Peace was restored, and he was planning to return to his monastery when suddenly he began to lose his strength. He summoned his brethren and told them he was dying. All who heard this were overcome with grief. In their sorrow they cried to him with one voice: “Father, why are you deserting us? Who will care for us when you are gone? Savage wolves will attack your flock, and who will save us from their bite when our shepherd is struck down? We know you long to be with Christ, but your reward is certain and will not be any less for being delayed. You will do better to show pity for us, rather than forsake us.”

Thereupon he broke into tears, for he was a man in whom the compassion of our Lord was continually revealed. Turning to our Lord, he made this reply to their pleading: “Lord, if your people still need me, I am ready for the task; your will be done.”

Here was a man words cannot describe. Death could not defeat him nor toil dismay him. He was quite without a preference of his own; he neither feared to die nor refused to live. With eyes and hands always raised to heaven he never withdrew his unconquered spirit from prayer. It happened that some priests who had gathered at his bedside suggested that he should give his poor body some relief by lying on his other side. He answered: “Allow me, brothers, to look toward heaven rather than at the earth, so that my spirit may set on the right course when the time comes for me to go on my journey to the Lord.” As he spoke these words, he saw the devil standing near. “Why do you stand there, you bloodthirsty brute?” he cried. “Murderer, you will not have me for your prey. Abraham is welcoming me into his embrace.”

With these words, he gave up his spirit to heaven. Filled with joy, Martin was welcomed by Abraham. Thus he left this life a poor and lowly man and entered heaven rich in God’s favor.

RESPONSORY

Happy this man who did not deceive, nor judge, nor condemn anyone.
– He spoke only of Christ, of his peace and his mercy.

Here is a man whom words cannot describe.
Death could not defeat him nor toil dismay him.
He neither feared to die nor refused to live.
– He spoke only of Christ, of his peace and his mercy.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

Father,
by his life and death
Martin of Tours offered you worship and praise.
Renew in our hearts the power of your love,
so that neither death nor life may separate us from you.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
– Amen.

Or:

O God, who are glorified in the Bishop Saint Martin
both by his life and death,
make new, we pray,
the wonders of your grace in our hearts,
that neither death nor life
may separate us from your love.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
– Amen.

ACCLAMATION

Let us praise the Lord.
– And give him thanks.
*********************

Gregory the Great's 'Homilies on Ezekiel' f.105v

Monastic Office of Vigils:

Ordinary Time: November 10th

Thirty-Second Sunday of Ordinary Time

A Decorated Letter, in Gregory the Great's 'Homilies on Ezekiel' f.105v

Medium: Ink and pigments on vellum Date: 1110

 Gregory the Great was pope from 590 to 604, a period in which he had to deal with an unsympathetic emperor in Constantinople and invading barbarians who were setting up a kingdom in northern Italy. In the middle of it all, he transformed the church administration, improved monastic practices, wrote some of the most important scriptural commentaries of the middle ages--and sent a mission to convert the English. This copy of his homilies on the Book of Ezekiel belonged to the cloister of St Andrew's Cathedral, Rochester. The cathedral had historical links to Gregory. It was founded in 604 by Augustine, the missionary sent by Gregory from his own monastery of St Andrew in Rome. The book arranges the homilies so that they are preceded by the appropriate text from Ezekiel.

This page has the beginning of the eighth homily on Ezekiel, Chapter 40. After the clever drawings of animals and a human figure on the first two initials in the book, decoration becomes simple, conventional red and green painted designs. The markings above the red title alert the reader to the use of abbreviations. A book like this would have been used for study and possibly also have been read from during mealtime, daily prayers or chapter meetings.

http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/onlineex/illmanus/roymanucoll/a/011roy000004b01u00105v00.html 

THIRTY -SECOND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

SUNDAY

First Reading

EzekieI2:1-3.11.17-21

Responsory          Is 55:7.6

Let the wicked abandon their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts: ₊ let them return to the Lord, who will take pity on them, and to our God who will freely forgive.

V. Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. + Let them return ...

Second Reading

From a homily by Saint Gregory the Great

In Hierzech. I. 18:: CCL 40, 14-15

Because the Israelites had abandoned their maker, they went into captivity and became slaves of the King of Babylon. But the prophet Ezekiel was sent into captivity with them - he whom divine grace had rendered so pleasing to God that he used him to foretell future events, and comfort the afflicted people. Let us ponder if we can how wonderful is the dispensation of divine love by which it was possible for the Lord to be so angry with his people, and yet not be angry at all. Had he not been angry he would hardly have delivered them up to captivity; had he been thoroughly angry he would not have sent his chosen ones into captivity with them. 

God's mercy uses one and the same event to punish the carnal-minded and bring an increase of grace to the spiritual minded. While he purifies the former by tribulation, he stirs up the latter to merit a brighter future through association with those who suffer. Thus God is angry with the unrighteous, but at the same time he consoles them through the righteous who share their lot, so that they will not feel totally abandoned and none of them repent of their sins. He rejects his people and at the same time holds them fast when he hurls into the same tribulation those he condemns and those he loves. Who can comprehend the depths of so great a love? The Lord does not let his people's sins go unpunished, but still he does not utterly reject his sinful people.

It was the same when Moses sent the twelve scouts into the promised land. When they returned ten of these made the people despair and cry out angrily, complaining that God had deceived them and their corpses would lie in the desert. In anger almighty God declared that not one of them should enter the promised land. Frightened into repentance, the people acknowledged their sin. They wept, and taking up arms began immediately to go up against the enemy, hoping to be able after the tears they had shed to enter the promised land. But the Lord said to them through Moses: Do not go up or fight or you will fall before the enemy, for I am not with you.

Think! If God were not with them, why did he forbid them to go up because they were sure to be routed? But if he were with them, how could he say: I am not with you? To be both with them and not with them was a wonderful combination of discipline and mercy. God condemns sin but protects the sinner. He shows that he is angry, but defends his people against their enemies. So, often enough, is a mother angry with a naughty boy. She corrects him, scolds him, beats him; but if she sees him about to fall headlong to his death, she reaches out her hand and holds him. She who beat her son in anger as though she did not love him holds him safe in her love as though she had never been angry or beaten him. 

Responsonj           Prv 3:11-12; Rv 3:19

Do not spurn the Lord's correction or resent his rebuke, for + the Lord reproves those he loves, and punishes the child who is dear

to him.

V. Those whom I love I reprove and discipline, so repent in real earnest. + The Lord reproves ...

Saint Catherine of Siena, statue, outside Castel sant'Angelo, Rome, Italy

COMMENT: St. Catherine of Siena was proclaimed one of the two patron saints of Italy by the Pope in 1939 along with St Francis of Assisi.

Catherine of Siena, a Dominican, exercised considerable influence over ... 

A statue of Saint Catherine of Siena, outside Castel sant'Angelo, Rome, Italy.

A statue of Saint Catherine of Siena, outside Castel sant'Angelo, Rome, Italy. Artist: Francesco Messina (1900-1995).

Statue of St Catherine

St Catherine of Siena is commemorated by a statue located in the middle of a flowerbed in the magnificent gardens of Castel Sant’Angelo. Catherine was proclaimed one of the patron saints of the country in 1939 together with St Francis of Assissi. Sculpted entirely out of white marble, the figure is wrapped in a long, unadorned cloth, giving her a charitable look. Four base reliefs depict scenes from her life. The monument was designed in 1961 by Francesco Messina, the creator of the famous Dying Horse, situated in Viale Mazzini.

http://www.schmap.com/rome/statueofstcatherine/#r=none&mapview=Satellite&tab=Places&p=182207&topleft=41.90482,12.46073&bottomright=41.90135,12.46676&i=182207.jpg

The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

Monastic Office of Vigils,

Streets Of Gold  The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica
   http://olivyaz.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/the-dedication-of-lateran-basilica.html 

 Saturday, 9 November 2013

The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica
Office of Readings
SECOND READING  
From a sermon by Saint Caesarius of Arles, bishop
(Sermo 229, 1-3: CCL 104, 905-908

We have all been made temples of God through baptism  

My fellow Christians, today is the birthday of this church, an occasion for celebration and rejoicing. We, however, ought to be the true and living temple of God. Nevertheless, Christians rightly commemorate this feast of

the church, their mother, for they know that through her they were reborn in the spirit. At our first birth, we were vessels of God’s wrath; reborn, we became vessels of his mercy. Our first birth brought death to us, but our second restored us to life.

Indeed, before our baptism we were sanctuaries of the devil; but after our baptism we merited the privilege of being temples of Christ. And if we think more carefully about the meaning of our salvation, we shall realize that we are indeed living and true temples of God. God does not dwell only in structures fashioned by human hands, in homes of wood and stone, but rather he dwells principally in the soul made according to his own image and fashioned by his own hand. Therefore, the apostle Paul says: The temple of God is holy, and you are that temple.

When Christ came, he banished the devil from our hearts, in order to build in them a temple for himself. Let us therefore do what we can with his help, so that our evil deeds will not deface that temple. For whoever does evil, does injury to Christ. As I said earlier, before Christ redeemed us, we were the house of the devil, but afterward, we merited the privilege of being the house of God. God himself in his loving mercy saw fit to make of us his own home.

My fellow Christians, do we wish to celebrate joyfully the birth of this temple? Then let us not destroy the living temples of God in ourselves by works of evil. I shall speak clearly, so that all can understand. Whenever we come to church, we must prepare our hearts to be as beautiful as we expect this church to be. Do you wish to find this basilica immaculately clean? Then do not soil your soul with the filth of sins. Do you wish this basilica to be full of light? God too wishes that your soul be not in darkness, but that the light of good works shine in us, so that he who dwells in the heavens will be glorified. Just as you enter this church building, so God wishes to enter into your soul, for he promised: I shall live in them, and I shall walk the corridors of their hearts.

RESPONSORY
See Ezekiel 47:1, 9

I saw water flowing eastward from beneath the threshold of the temple, alleluia.
Wherever the river flowed everything became alive;
– those who were saved by it cried out:
Alleluia, alleluia.

When the temple was dedicated,
the people sang songs of praise and beautiful hymns.
– Those who were saved by it cried out:
Alleluia, alleluia.

Saint Catherine of Siena (+ 1380), Doctor of the Church, was a Dominican, stiqmatist, and papal counsellor.

Friday, 08 November 2013

Friday of the Thirty-first week in Ordinary Time

Gospel: Saint Luke 16:1-8.

 "The children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light. (v. 8)

Catherine of Siena (Saint)

 

A Prudent Approach to Apathy

To make holy desire grow in you and not flag, I want you to open your mind's eye and come to know God's unspeakable love for you. In love he gave you his only-begotten Son, and that Son gave his life for you in such blazing love that it should melt the hardness of any hard heart.

Here focus your mind's eye, considering and pondering the price [paid for you], God's Son. In his blood wash your soul's face.

Wake up and rouse yourselves from the slumber of apathy! And once you've washed, be sure you put on the white of purity and the colour of blazing charity, both of which you will find in the blood of the Lamb. I want you to consider ... that you cannot have this purity of mind and body if you are ... setting your love and desire on ... created things apart from God's will. Nor is it compatible with selfish love or physical self indulgence. No, it is won with very earnest watching and prayer, and with continual remembrance of your Creator and constant acknowledgement of God's unspeakable love for you.

After you have acquired purity in the way I've described, you will see that there is no service you can do for God, and so you will extend your love to your neighbours, doing for them the service you cannot do for God. You will visit the sick, help the poor, and console those who are troubled. You will weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice. I mean you will weep with those who are grieving in deadly sin by being compassionate and by offering continual prayers for them in God's presence. And you will rejoice with those who are glad because they are true servants of Jesus Christ crucified, always happy to be in their company.

SAINT CATHERINE OF SIENA

________________________________________________________________________

Catherine of Siena (Saint)

From The Letters of St. Catherint of Siena. Vol. II, Suzanne Noffkc, O.P. Tr. MRTS Vol. 203 (Tempe, AZ. 2001). Copyright Arizona Board of Regents for Arizona State University, Used with permission.

 St. Catherine of Siena is a saint, mystic, and doctor of the Church. Here are 8 things about her to know and share.

Read more: http://www.ncregister.com/blog/jimmy-akin/8-things-to-know-and-share-about-st.-catherine-of-siena#ixzz2k5gmRrjA

John Duns Scotus, the "Subtle Doctor," was beatified in 1993 by Pope John Paul II at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.

Friday, o8 November 2013

Our Lady Immaculate & St Margaret's - Duns

 Blessed John Duns Scotus

Beato_Giovanni_Duns_Scoto

Franciscan Theologian
(c. 1266 - 1308)

        Blessed John (Johannes) Duns Scotus was one of the more important theologians and philosophers of the High Middle Ages. Born at Duns in the county of Berwick, Scotland around 1266, John was descended from a wealthy farming family. John received the habit of the Friars Minor at Dumfries, where his uncle Elias Duns was superior. After novitiate he studied at Oxford and Paris and was ordained to the priesthood on 17 March 1291.

        He was nicknamed Doctor Subtilis (the "Subtle Doctor") for his penetrating and subtle manner of thought and he was remembered mostly for his defense of the doctrine of Immaculate Conception. During the night of Christmas, 1299 at the Oxford Convent, Bl. John, immersed in his contemplation of the adorable mystery of the Incarnation of the Word, was rapt in ecstasy. The Blessed Mother appeared to him and placed on his arms the Child Jesus who kissed and embraced him fondly.

        He died in 1308 and he is buried in the Franciscan church near the famous Cologne cathedral.

        Drawing on the work of John Duns Scotus, Pope Pius IX solemnly defined the Immaculate Conception of Mary in 1854. On March 20, 1993 John Duns Scotus, the "Subtle Doctor," was beatified in 1993 by Pope John Paul II at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.

        Bl. John Duns Scotus, "The minstrel of the Word Incarnate" and "Defender of Mary's Immaculate Conception" was presented by Pope John Paul II to our age "wealthy of human, scientific and technological resources, but in which many have lost the sense of faith and lead lives distant from Christ and His Gospel," as "a Teacher of thought and life." For the Church, he is "an example of fidelity to the revealed truth, of effective, priestly, and serious dialogue in search for unity."