OK....
now what? Where'd my blog go ?

Sensitiveness
by Venerable John Henry Newman

Time was, I shrank from what was right
From fear of what was wrong;
I would not brave the sacred fight,
Because the foe was strong.

But now I cast that finer sense
And sorer shame aside;
Such dread of sin was indolence,
Such aim at Heaven was pride.

So, when my Saviour calls, I rise,
And calmly do my best;
Leaving to Him, with silent eyes
Of hope and fear, the rest.

I step, I mount where He has led;
Men count my haltings o'er;—
I know them; yet, though self I dread,
I love His precept more.

Lazaret, Malta.
January 15, 1833.

The Feast of St. Arnold Janssen, S.V.D., Priest and Founder
is today. There is information on him here. To any members of the Society of the Divine Word, Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters, or Sister Servants of the Holy Spirit of Perpetual Adoration out there, blessed feast day !
Also it is the anniversary of the ordination of Fr. David Abernethy of the Pittsburgh Oratory to the priesthood. God bless you, Fr. David ! Ad multos annos !

Irish Elk
posted some Oratorian links.

Good article...
at Catholic Educator's Resource Center, on one of the truly prophetic documents of the 20th century.

Please check out...
my friend's information on a way to show your support for the protection of the most vunerable human beings.

While going through the Catholic blogs...
I came across Barbara Nicolosi's Church of the Masses, and her "Emily Monday". I'm afraid Dickinson was ruined for me back in high school, when one of my classmates informed me that much of her poetry can be sung to the tune of "The Yellow Rose of Texas". However, I am fond of this bit of verse.

The Rat is the concisest Tenant.
He pays no Rent.
Repudiates the Obligation --
On Schemes intent

Balking our Wit
To sound or circumvent --
Hate cannot harm
A Foe so reticent --
Neither Decree prohibit him --
Lawful as Equilibrium.

The Feast of St. Macrina the Elder, Widow
is today. There is information on her here. I find it remarkable that her son, her daughter-in-law, and four of her grandchildren are all regarded as saints.

Though I have done many things worthy of groans, yet so much I may boast in the Lord, that I never held erroneous doctrine concerning God, nor have had to change my profession. The idea of God which I had from my blessed mother, and her mother Macrina, that has ever grown within me. I did not change about, as reason unfolded, but perfected the rudiments of faith by them delivered to me.

St. Basil the Great, as translated by Venerable John Henry Newman.

The latest Christian Carnival
is up. (Note: This contains non-Catholic posts, which may not accord with the teaching of the Church.)

The Feast of St. Hilary of Poitiers, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
is today. There is information on him here.

The noble-minded Hilary was intemperate in his language, and assailed Constantius with an asperity unbecoming a dutiful subject.

Venerable John Henry Newman, The Arians of the Fourth Century
It's not exactly edifying, but I'll admit I'm fond finding saints who had trouble controlling their 'asperity' !

On January 11, 1852....
Venerable John Henry Newman, C.O., preached a sermon, of which the following notes survive:

On the Epiphany, as Christ's Reign Manifested to Faith

1. INTROD.—On the peculiarity of this octave.

2. Viz. no saint's day in it. Contrast Christmas. Contrast Easter and Whitsun as not perfect, [the latter containing] fast days. Contrast [octaves of the] Ascension, Corpus Christi, [the] Assumption.

3. Why? Christ [is] a king, and we anticipate His reign. It is the season most nearly typical of heaven.

4. Now, how was this fulfilled? His palace a stable, His throne a manger—(enlarge).

5. Here it was the three kings came. They came a long way to see, what? The poor child of a poor woman—(describe). They entered. Mary drew off the covering cast over the sleeping Child. They gazed, etc.; they offered gifts; they adored.

6. What a remarkable scene! And this was the manifestation of His glory! For this they had travelled their weary way!

7. Describe what they had to go through—the wonder of their people—why were they setting off?—Then, they did not know whither they were going, etc.

8. Describe their state of mind. They knew they ought to go; they knew there was something to find.

9. Enlarge on faith and reason, and explain.

10. This is that faith which is the beginning of salvation in every age, and the greatest specimen [of it]. It is like St. Thomas's, with less evidence, 'My Lord and my God.'

11. Greater than, yet like that in the Holy Eucharist.

The 12th Catholic Carnival...
is up.

The Feast of St. Theodosius the Cenobiarch, Abbot
is today. There is information on him here.
It is also the feast of Blessed William Carter, Martyr .

On January 9th, 1876...
Venerable John Henry Newman, C.O., preached a sermon, of which the following notes survive:

Life a Pilgrimage

1. Life a journey or pilgrimage, Gen. xlvii. 9, (Jacob) , Luke xiii. 33, John xi. 9 . This is a thought befitting the beginning of the year.

2. In a journey we have a start and a goal. So life. Again, in a journey, obstacles—rivers, mountains, etc. So in life, temptations.

3. Now journeys have different lengths—so different lives have different lengths; one man dies old, another young—each life is long enough to reach the goal. Each length according to capabilities—one can go three miles an hour, another four, etc.

4. The length of each is determined by the length of light. No one has to travel in the dark, John ix. 4 and xi. 9-10 —as one man's journey might be near the pole, another's far south—different times of year.

5. If we linger or deviate on a journey, the light goes.

6. Have we not lingered or gone out of the road? Double loss of time if we have to get back; and then how to find the way?

7. We shall have to run.

8. Perhaps a carriage—increase of grace.

9. Now let us think of the past year and the year to come.

If it were not Sunday
today would be the feast of St. Peter of Sebastea, Bishop, St. Adrian of Canterbury, O.S.B., Abbot, and Blessed Pope Gregory X.

Music from Noon Mass
Processional Hymn: "On Jordan's Bank
Offertory: "Jesus, My Lord, My God, My All"- Pius X Hymnal
Communion: "I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say"- Thomas Tallis (1505-1585)
Recessional Hymn: "Songs of Thankfulness and Praise"

The words of the Offertory piece were written by Fr. Faber of the London Oratory:

Jesus, my Lord, my God, my All!
How can I love Thee as I ought?
And how revere this wondrous Gift,
So far surpassing hope or thought?

Refrain: Sweet Sacrament, we Thee adore; Oh! make us love Thee more and more; Oh! make us love Thee more and more.

Had I but Mary's sinless heart
To love Thee with, my dearest King;
Oh! with what bursts of fervent praise,
Thy goodness, Jesus, would I sing.

Refrain: Sweet Sacrament, we Thee adore; Oh! make us love Thee more and more; Oh! make us love Thee more and more.

Oh! see upon the altar placed
The Victim of divinest love!
Let all the earth below adore,
And join the choirs of Heav'n above.

Refrain: Sweet Sacrament, we Thee adore; Oh! make us love Thee more and more; Oh! make us love Thee more and more.

Jesus, dear Pastor of the flock,
We crowd in love about Thy feet;
Our voices yearn to praise Thee, Lord,
And joyfully Thy presence greet.

Refrain: Sweet Sacrament, we Thee adore; Oh! make us love Thee more and more; Oh! make us love Thee more and more.