Pilgrimage to Rome 2017 (4) - Day 1 continued

La Maddalena
After Mass in the Sacristy Chapel of the Basilica of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva (Post 2) and following our visit to the Pantheon (Post 3), Day 1 of our Pilgrimage to Rome continued with a visit to the 'La Maddalena' the Church of Saint Mary Magdalene, where St. Camillus de Lellis, also a member of the Sodality of Our Lady in his time, is buried.  As so often, the Church was closed but the riotous baroque facade provided some interest for our pilgrims.  The site was purchased by St. Camillus and his companions in 1621, with the permission of Pope Gregory XV Ludovisi, of whom more below, and construction began ten years later.  The facade was built in stages and each is attributed to a different architect.  The whole effect evokes the Rococo of Borromini, with its counter-curves across the whole, although it is the only time when such effects were used so completely for a Church in Rome.

Piazza Capranica and Piazza Montecitorio
From 'La Maddalena' it is a short walk to the Piazza Capranica.  We have visited the interior of the College and its Chapel in an earlier pilgrimage (here).  We had already visited the Capranica Family Chapel in the Minerva (Post 3).  We paused to remember Ven. Pope Pius XII, who was a student and member of the Sodality of Our Lady in the College.  Taking up another side of the Piazza is Santa Maria in Aquiro.  The facade is beautifully articulated in red brick and limestone.  The original Church was very ancient, founded as a Diaconia, and first restored by Pope Gregory III, of whom also more later.

A few steps beyond is the Piazza of Montecitorio, with the Palazzo built by Bernini for Cardinal Ludovico Ludovisi, of whom more below, and completed by Carlo Fontana.  It once housed the Law Courts of the Papal States and now houses the Italian Chamber of Deputies.  The obelisk in the Piazza was brought to Rome by the Emperor Augustus and placed here by Pope Pius VI in 1789. 

A few steps more is the Piazza Colonna, containing the great Column of Marcus Aurelius, which is now surmounted by a statue of St. Paul, placed there by Pope Sixtus V during the restoration of the Column as part of his magnificent town-planning project.  Facing the Column across the Via del Corso is the Palazzo Chigi, built by Giacomo della Porta, and first inhabited by the family after the election of our good friend Pope Alexander VII Chigi, the first Sodalist of Our Lady to be elected Pope.  The Palazzo is now the offices of the Prime Minister of Italy.

Sant'Ignazio
Turning southwards we reach the Collegio Romano - founded by our good friend Pope Gregory XIII, first Pope to approve the Sodality of Our Lady in 1584 - and the Church of Sant'Ignazio, built by Cardinal Ludovico Ludovisi, Vice Chancellor of the Holy Roman Church and nephew of Pope Gregory XV Ludovisi.  Inside, in the Ludovisi Chapel to the Epistle-side of the Sanctuary, are the tombs of uncle and nephew.  We have visited the Church on several previous pilgrimages (here) because this is the site of the first Sodality of Our Lady, the Prima Primaria.  In previous years we have visited the Chapel of the Prima Primaria and the rooms once occupied by Saints Aloysius Gonzaga and John Berchmans, both Sodalists (here) but confined ourselves on this visit to the Church, which contains the relics of both Saints as well as the relics of Saint Robert Bellarmine, Professor and Rector of the College.

Let us remember particularly Vittoria della Tolfa, Marchese della Valle, who donated the entire block to the Jesuits to found the College and Church.  The Church itself is the second on the site, the first dedicated to the Annunciation, a dedication that was perpetuated in the Prima Primaria.  Pope Gregory XV had been a student of the College and had canonized St. Ignatius in 1622.  Cardinal Ludovisi patronized the project.  the foundation stone was laid in 1627 and the whole building was complete in 1685.

Masses of the Sacred Heart

I decided to write something on the Masses of the Sacred Heart.

The Sacred Heart had tough acceptance in Rome in Rome as a feast. The cause was rejected at least twice in 1726/7 and 1729 (where the Promoter Fidei, advancing the cause against the introduction was Cardinal Lambertini, later Benedict XIV).

Earlier though, in 1697, at the request of the (exiled) Queen of England, Rome permitted the Order of the Visitation (i.e. the Crder of St. Margaret Mary) to observe a feast but they did not grant a Mass or Office for the Sacred Heart. Rather, they permitted the Mass and Office of the Five Wounds. This itself has a connection - prominent in the writings of many authors on the Sacred Heart (e.g. the promoter of the cause, Fr. Gallifet) was the idea that the lance had pierced and caused a wound in the Heart of Jesus. This was also one of the reasons for the reading of the Gospel of the incident in the Mass. The idea of repearation connected with such a feast remianed a chief point in subsequent Masses.

Anyhow, in 1765, a Mass and Office for the Sacred Heart were eventually approved and extended to the dioceses of Poland, the Visitation Nuns, etc. This was the Mass Miserebor and it was heavy on the theology of reparation to the heart. Unfortunately, I only have bits and pieces of the Mass , and I'm trying to get the whole thing, so when I do, I'll probably come back and add to this. Right now, I'll skip discussion and move to the the two other Masses.

First probably, I think I will focus on the Mass Miserebitur. This was a direct descendant of the Mass Miserebor and was provided when Pius IX conceded the feast of the Sacred Heart to the Universal Church with the rank of a Major/Greater Double. It was very much focused in the Passion-Reparation idea and the Mass texts are solemn in their remembrance. It was also celebrated in Red vestments and used the preface of the Cross as was customary with feasts of the Passion.

In addition, though I won't be mentioning the Divine Office in deatil, at Prime, there is something called a proper versicle. This comes in the responsory Christ the Son of the living God have mercy on us.

Christe Fili Dei vivi, * Miserére nobis.
Christe Fili Dei vivi, * Miserére nobis.
Qui sedes ad déxteram Patris * Miserére nobis.
Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
Christe Fili Dei vivi, * Miserére nobis

On certain feasts (most of the Lord), the versicle Qui sedes i.e. '(You) Who are seated at the right hand of the Father,' was replaced by another one. So for example, on the Ascension it is, Qui scandis super sidere i.e. 'Who have ascended above the stars.' For Eastertide it is Qui surrexisti a mortis 'Who have risen from death.'

Anyway, so an example of the Passion nature of the Mass Miserebitur can also be seen in the corresponding Office versicle appointed Qui passus es propter nostram salutem, 'Who suffered for our salvation.' The text of the Mass is as follows:

Introitus Jer. In Thren. 1 Miserebitur secundum multitudinem misericordiarum suarum: non enim humiliavit ex corde suo et abiecit filios hominum: bonus est Dominus sperantibus in eum animae quaerenti illum. Ps. 88 misericordias Domini in aeternum cantabo in generationem et generationem V. Gloria Patri. Miserebitur.

Oratio Concede, quaesumus omnipotens Deus: ut qui in sanctissimo dilecti Filii tui Corde gloriantes, parecipua in nos caritatis eius beneficia recolimus: eorum partier et actu delectemur, et fructu. Per eumdem Dominum nostrum…

Lectio Isiae Prophetae c. 12
Confitebor tibi Domine quoniam iratus es mihi conversus est furor tuus et consolatus es me. Ecce Deus salvator meus fiducialiter agam et non timebo quia fortitudo mea et laus mea Dominus Deus et factus est mihi in salute. Haurietis aquas in gaudio de fontibus salvatoris . Et dicetis in illa die confitemini Domino et invocate nomen eius notas facite in populis adinventiones eius mementote quoniam excelsum est nomen eius Cantate Domino quoniam magnifice fecit adnuntiate hoc in universa terra. Exulta et lauda habitatio Sion quia magnus in medio tui Sanctus Israhel

Graduale Jer. In Thren. 1 O vos omnes qui transitis per viam adtendite et videte si est dolor sicut dolor meus V. Joan. 13 Cum dilexisset suos qui erant in mundo in finem dilexit eos

Alleluia, Alleluia. V. Matt. 13 Discite a me quia mitis sum et humilis corde et invenietis requiem animabus vestries. Alleluia.

Post Septuagismam.
Graduale Ps. 68 Improperium expectavit cor meum et miseriam: et sistinui qui simul contristaretur, et non fuit: et qui consolaretur et non inveni

Tractus Ps. 21 Ego autem sum vermis et non homo: opprobrium hominum et abiectio plebes V. Omnes videntes me deriserunt me: locuti sunt labiis moverunt caput. V. Sicut aqua effusus sum et dispersa sunt universa ossa mea factum est cor meum tamquam cera liquescens in medio ventris mei.

Temp. Pasch. Alleluia, Alleluia. V. Ps 29 Domine Deus meus clamavi ad te et sanasti me: eduxisti ab inferno animam meam Alleluia.
V. Convertisti planctum meum in gaudium mihi conscidisti saccum meum et circumdedisti me laetitia. Alleluia

Sequentia Sancti Evangelli secundum Ioahnnem c. 19
In illo tempore: Iudaei quoniam parasceve erat ut non remanerent in cruce corpora sabbato (erat enim magnus dies ille sabbati) rogaverunt Pilatum ut frangerentur eorum crura et tollerentur. Venerunt ergo milites et primi quidem fregerunt crura et alterius qui crucifixus est cum eo. Ad Iesum autem cum venissent ut viderunt eum iam mortuum non fregerunt eius crura sed unus militum lancea latus eius aperuit et continuo exivit sanguis et aqua . Et qui vidit testimonium perhibuit et verum est testimonium eius .

Secreta Tuere nos, Domine, tua tibi holocaust offerentes: ad quae, ut ferventius corda nostra pareparentur, falmmis adure tuae divinae caritatis. Qui vivis et regnas…

Offerterium Ps. 102 Benedic anima mea Domino et noli oblivisci omnes retributiones eius, qui replet in bonis desiderium tuum

Praefatio De S. Cruce
Vere dignum et iustum est, aequum et salutare, nos tibi semper, et ubique gratias agere: Domine sancte, Pater omnipotens, aeterne Deus. Qui salutem humani generis in ligno crucis constituisti: ut, unde mors oriebatur, inde vita resurgeret: et qui in ligno vincebat, in ligno quoque vinceretur, per Christum Dominum nostrum. Per quem maiestatem tuam laudant Angeli, adorant Dominationes, tremunt Potestates. Coeli, coelorumque Virtutes, ac beata Seraphim, socia exsultatione concelebrant. Cum quibus et nostras voces, ut admitti iubeas, deprecamur, supplici confessione dicentes: Sanctus.

Communio Ps. 68 Inproperium expectavit cor meum et miseriam et sustinui qui simul contristaretur et non fuit et qui consolaretur et non inveni. Alleluia.

Postcommunio Pacificis pasti delicis, et salutaribus sacramentis, te supplices exoramus, Domine Deus noster: ut, qui mitis es et humilis corde, nos a vitiorum labe purgatos, propenius facias a superbis saeculi vanitatibus abhorrere. Qui vivis et regnas…

INTROIT Lam. Of Jer. 3 He will have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies : for he does not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men : the Lord is good unto those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him, alleluia, alleluia. Ps. 88. My song shall be always of the loving-kindness of the Lord : with my mouth will I forever show your truth from one generation to another. V. Glory be to the Father. He will have compassion.

COLLECT We beseech you, Almighty God: that we who, glorying in the most sacred Heart of thy well-beloved Son, do call to mind the excellent benefits of his love towards us, may forever rejoice in its work within us and in bringing forth the fruits of the same. Through the same.

A Reading from Prophet Isaias Chp 12
And you shall say in that day: I will give thanks to thee, O Lord, for you were angry with me: your wrath is turned away, and you have comforted me. Behold, God is my saviour, I will deal confidently, and will not fear: O because the Lord is my strength, and my praise, and he is become my salvation. You shall draw waters with joy out of the saviour's fountains: And you shall say in that day: Praise the Lord, and call upon his name: make his works known among the people: remember that his name is high. Sing to the Lord, for he hath done great things: show this forth in all the earth. Rejoice, and praise, O habitation of Sion: for great is he that is in the midst of you, the Holy One of Israel.

GRADUAL Lam of Jer. 1 O all you that pass by, behold and see, if there is any sorrow like my sorrow. V. St. John 13. Having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

Alleluia, alleluia. V. St. Matt. 11. Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart : and you shall find rest for your souls. Alleluia.

In votive Masses after Septuagesima, instead of the Alleluia and the verse following is said :

TRACT Ps. 21 But I am a worm and no man: the reproach of men and the outcast of the people. V. All they that saw me have laughed me to scorn: they have spoken with the lips and wagged the head. V. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are scattered. My heart is become like wax melting in the midst of my bowels.

In Eastertide Alleluia, Alleluia. V. Ps 29 Lord, my God, I have cried out to you, and you healed me: you have led my soul out of hell. Alleluia. V. You have turned for me my mourning into joy : you have cut my sackcloth, and has surrounded me with gladness. Alleluia

The Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to John. c.19
At that time : Jews, because it was the Parasceve, that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath day, (for that was a great sabbath day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. The soldiers therefore came; and they broke the legs of the first, and of the other that was crucified with him. But after they were come to Jesus, when they saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers with a spear opened his side, and immediately there came out blood and water. And he that saw it, hath given testimony, and his testimony is true.

OFFERTORY Ps. 102 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and never forget all he hath done for thee. who satisfies your desire with good things

SECRET Defend us, O Lord, we pray you, who present this sacrifice unto you : and to the intent that our hearts may be made ready more earnestly to offer the same, vouchsafe to kindle them with the fires of your heavenly charity. Who lives and reigns…..

PREFACE of the Cross.
It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto you, O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God; who established the salvation of mankind on the tree of the Cross; that from where death came, there also life might arise again, and that he, who overcame by the tree, by the tree also might be overcome: Through Christ our Lord. Through whom the Angels praise your Majesty, the Dominations worship it, the Powers stand in awe. The Heavens and the heavenly hosts together with the blessed Seraphim in triumphant chorus unite to celebrate it. Together with these we entreat you that you may bid our voices also to be admitted while we say with lowly praise: Holy.

COMMUNION Ps. 68 My heart has expected reproach and misery ; and I looked for one who would grieve together with me, but there was none; and for one who would comfort me, and I found none.

POSTCOMMUNION O Lord our God, who has vouchsafed to feed us with the banquet of our peace, and the sacraments of our salvation : we humbly beseech you ; that as you are meek and lowly of heart, so we, being cleansed from the stains of our vices, may learn more earnestly to forsake the pride and vanities of the world. Who lives and reigns..

So you'll can well see the ideas of the Passion and Reparation. This remained the de facto Mass of the Sacred Heart until 1929.

There was however, another Mass approved. This was by Pius VI in 1788 to principally the dioceses of Venice though it was also extended to Spain and later Ireland (I've read Portugal also but not being able to confirm that). Through the Irish priests, it became widely known and diffused. In the publication of the new missal in 1920 it was supressed and remained so until 1929. A pity because I like this Mass lots. The emphasis of this Mass is very different. It focuses more on thanksgiving and the overall love of Christ in the richness of the Sacred Heart.

The difference of this Mass from Miserebitur is seen in several different ways. The vestments are white not red. The introit itself sets the tone for it - instead of the solemn 'He shall have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies' it begins with the lilting verse of the Canticles (Song of Songs) - 'Go forth you daughters of Sion ...see....him...in the day of the joy of his heart.' Instead of the Passion oriented reading on the piercing of the Heart is the beautiful discourse of our Lord - 'As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you.' The somber notes of the Communion - 'My heart has expected reproach and misery' - gives way to the joyful 'Taste and see that the Lord is good, his mercy is everlasting.'

Another main difference is the use of the preface of the Nativity outside Lent. Until 1956, this preface was used for a lot of the feasts of the Lord - the Transfiguration, Corpus Christi, etc. It links the Sacred Heart with love manifested in the Incarnation. Likewise, at Prime, instead of the versicle Qui passus is the versicle Qui natus de Maria Virgine - 'Who was born of the Virgin Mary.' When one stops to think about it, it actually has a great deal of contemplative merit. For example, this versicle links it with the feast of Corpus Christi, and the richness of the Love of Christ in the Holy Eucharist.

Enough talk! This is the Mass text.

Introitus Cant. 3 Egredimini et videte filiae Sion regem Salomonem in diademate quo coronavit eum mater sua in die disponsionis illius et in die laetitiae cordis eius. Ps. 44 Eructavit cor meum verbum bonum dico ego opera mea Regi. Gloria Patri. Egredimini.

Oratio Fac nos, Domine Iesu, sanctissimi Cordis tui virtutibus indui, et affectibus inflammari: ut et imagini bonitatis tuae conformes et tuae redemptionis mereamur esse participles. Qui vivis, et regnas, cum Deo Patre.

Lectio Epistolae beati Pauli Apostoli ad Ephesios c. 3
Fratres, mihi omnium sanctorum minimo data est gratia haec in gentibus evangelizare investigabiles divitias Christi, et inluminare omnes quae sit dispensatio sacramenti absconditi a saeculis in Deo qui omnia creavit Huius rei gratia flecto genua mea ad Patrem Domini nostri Iesu Christi ex quo omnis paternitas in caelis et in terra nominatur ut det vobis secundum divitias gloriae suae virtute corroborari per Spiritum eius in interiore homine Christum habitare per fidem in cordibus vestris in caritate radicati et fundati ut possitis conprehendere cum omnibus sanctis quae sit latitudo et longitudo et sublimitas et profundum: scire etiam supereminentem scientiae caritatem Christi ut impleamini in omnem plenitudinem Dei.

Graduale Matt. 21 Dicite filiae Sion: Ecce rex tuus venit tibi mansuetus. V. Is. 42 Non erit tristis neque turbulentus: non clamabit, nec audientur vox eius fortis.
Alleuia, Alleluia. Matt. 11 Discite a me quia mitis sum et humilis corde et invenietis requiem animabus vestries. Alleluia.

Post Septuagismam.
Graduale Ps. 68 Improperium expectavit cor meum et miseriam: et sistinui qui simul contristaretur, et non fuit: et qui consolaretur et non inveni

Tractus Ps. 21 Ego autem sum vermis et non homo: opprobrium hominum et abiectio plebes V. Omnes videntes me deriserunt me: locuti sunt labiis moverunt caput. V. Sicut aqua effusus sum et dispersa sunt universa ossa mea factum est cor meum tamquam cera liquescens in medio ventris mei.

Temp. Pasch.
Alleluia, Alleluia. V. Ps 29 Domine Deus meus clamavi ad te et sanasti me: eduxisti ab inferno animam meam Alleluia.
V. Convertisti planctum meum in gaudium mihi conscidisti saccum meum et circumdedisti me laetitia. Alleluia

Sequentia Sancti Evangellii secundum Iohannem c. 15
In illo tempore: Dixit Iesus dicipulis suis: Sicut dilexit me Pater et ego dilexi vos. Si praecepta mea servaveritis manebitis in dilectione mea sicut et ego Patris mei praecepta servavi et maneo in eius dilectione Haec locutus sum vobis ut gaudium meum in vobis sit et gaudium vestrum impleatur Hoc est praeceptum meum ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos

Maiorem hac dilectionem nemo habet ut animam suam quis ponat pro amicis suis Vos amici mei estis si feceritis quae ego praecipio vobis Iam non dico vos servos quia servus nescit quid facit dominus eius vos autem dixi amicos quia omnia quaecumque audivi a Patre meo nota feci vobis. Non vos me elegistis sed ego elegi vos et posui vos ut eatis et fructum adferatis et fructus vester maneat ut quodcumque petieritis Patrem in nomine meo det vobis

Offerterium 1 Paralip. 29 Domine Deus, in simplicitate cordis mei laetus obtuli universa haec et populum tuum qui hic reppertus est vidi cum ingenti gaudio tibi offerre donaria Deus Israel, custodi hanc voluntatem cordis eorum.

Secreta Illo nos igne, quaesumus Domine, Spiritus sanctus imflamme, quen Dominus noster Iesus christus e penteralibus cordis sui misit in terram, et voluit vehementer accendi. Qui tecum vivit et regant in unitate eiusdem Spiritus Sancti Deus.

Praefatio de Nativtate Domini:
Vere dignum et iustum est, aequum et salutare, nos tibi semper, et ubique gratias agere: Domine sancte, Pater omnipotens, aeterne Deus: Quia per incarnati Verbi mysterium nova mentis nostrae oculis lux tuae claritatis infulsit: ut, dum visibiliter Deum cognoscimus, per hunc in invisibilum amorem rapiamur. Et ideo cum Angelis et Archangelis, cum Thronis et Dominationibus, cumque omni militai coelestis exercitus, hymnum gloriae tuae canimus sine fine dicentes: Sanctus.

Et sic dicitur etiam in Missis votivis a Dominica Trinitatis usque ad Septuagesimam. A Septuagesima vero usque ad Pentecost:

PRAEFACTIO De Cruce:
Vere dignum et iustum est, aequum et salutare, nos tibi semper, et ubique gratias agere: Domine sancte, Pater omnipotens, aeterne Deus. Qui salutem humani generis in ligno crucis constituisti: ut, unde mors oriebatur, inde vita resurgeret: et qui in ligno vincebat, in ligno quoque vinceretur, per Christum Dominum nostrum. Per quem maiestatem tuam laudant Angeli, adorant Dominationes, tremunt Potestates. Coeli, coelorumque Virtutes, ac beata Seraphim, socia exsultatione concelebrant. Cum quibus et nostras voces, ut admitti iubeas, deprecamur, supplici confessione dicentes: Sanctus.

Communio Ps 33 Gustate et videte quoniam suavis est Dominus: in aeternum misericordia eius. Alleluia.

Postcommunio Praebeant nobis, Domine Iesu, divinum tua sancta fervorem: quo dulcissimi Cordis tui suavitate percepta., discamus terrene despicere et amare coelestia. Qui vivis, et regnas.

Introit. Cant. 3 Go forth, you daughters of Sion, and see King Solomon in the diadem, with which his mother crowned him on the day of his espousals, and in the day of the joy of his heart. Ps. 44 My heart has uttered a good word : I speak my words to the king. Glory be. Go forth.

Collect Clothe us, Lord Jesus, with the virtues of your sacred Heart, and inflame our souls with the fire of your divine love ; that we may be conformed to the image of your goodness, and be worthy of participating in your redemption: Who lives and reigns.

A Reading from the Epistle of Blessed Paul the Apostle to the Ephesians c. 3
Brothers, to me, the least of all the saints, is given this grace, to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to enlighten all men, that they may see what is the dispensation of the mystery which hath been hidden from eternity in God, who created all things. For this cause I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom all paternity in heaven and earth is named; that he would grant you according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit unto the inward man ; that Christ may dwell by faith, in your hearts; that being rooted and founded in love, you may be able to comprehend with all the saints, what is the breadth, and length, and height, and depth : to know also the love of Christ, which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled unto all the fulness of God.

Graduale Matt. 21 Say unto the daughters of Sion : Behold your king comes to you, meek. V. Is. 42 He shall not be sad, nor troublesome : he shall not cry, neither shall his voice be heard abroad.

Alleluia, Alleluia. Matt. 11 Learn of me, because I am meek and humble of heart: and you shall find rest for your souls. Alleluia.

Post Septuagismam.
Graduale Ps. 68 My heart has expected reproach and misery ; and I looked for one who would grieve together with me, but there was none; and for one who would comfort me, and I found none.

Tractus Ps. 21 But I am a worm and no man: the reproach of men and the outcast of the people. V. All they that saw me have laughed me to scorn:they have spoken with the lips and wagged the head. V. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are scattered. My heart is become like wax melting in the midst of my bowels.

In Eastertide
Alleluia, Alleluia. V. Ps 29 Lord, my God, I have cried out to you, and you healed me: you have led my soul out of hell. Alleluia. V. You have turned for me my mourning into joy : you have cut my sackcloth, and has surrounded me with gladness. Alleluia

The continuation of the Holy Gospel according to John c.15
At that time : Jesus said to his disciples : As the Father has loved me, I also have loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments you shall abide in my love, as I also have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be filled. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

Greater love than this has no man, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends, if you do the things that I command you. I will not now call you servants : for the servant knows not what his Lord does. But I have called you friends : because all things whatsoever I have heard of my Father, I have made known to you. You have not chosen me ; but I have chosen you, and have appointed you that you should go and should bring forth fruit : and your fruit should remain : that whatsoever you shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Offertory 1 Chron. 29 Lord God, I, in the simplicity of my heart, have joyfully offered all these things, and I have seen with great joy, thy people which are here present, offer you their offerings. God of Israel, keep for ever this will of their hearts. Alleluia.

Secret We beseech you, O Lord, to inflame our souls with the fire of the Holy Ghost; which our Lord Jesus Christ has sent on earth, from the secret recesses of his Heart, to enkindle in us his love : Who lives and .

PREFACE Of the Nativity
It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto you, O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God, for through the Mystery of the Word made flesh, the new light of your glory has shone upon the eyes of our mind, so that while we acknowledge God in visible form, we may through Him be drawn to the love of things invisible. And therefore with Angels and Archangels, with Throne and Dominations, and with all the hosts of the heavenly army, we sing the hymn of your glory, evermore saying: Holy

Which is also said in votive Masses from Trinity Sunday to Septuagesima. And in votive Masses from Septuagesima to Pentecost is said

PREFACE Of the Cross:
It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto you, O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God; who established the salvation of mankind on the tree of the Cross; that from where death came, there also life might arise again, and that he, who overcame by the tree, by the tree also might be overcome: Through Christ our Lord. Through whom the Angels praise your Majesty, the Dominations worship it, the Powers stand in awe. The Heavens and the heavenly hosts together with the blessed Seraphim in triumphant chorus unite to celebrate it. Together with these we entreat you that you may bid our voices also to be admitted while we say with lowly praise: Holy.

Communion Ps 33 Taste, and see that the Lord is sweet: his mercy is eternal. Alleluia.

Postcommunion May your grace, O Lord Jesus, we beseech you, afford us divine favour, in order that, being perceptive of the sweetness of your most loving Heart, we may learn to despise earthly things, and love those that are heavenly: Who lives and reigns....

A lovely Mass! Thankfully, in the 2002 Missale Romanum, the oration is restored for Votive Masses, though, in line with post 1970 reforms, addressed to the Father, rather than the Son.

In 1928/9, Pius XI raised the feast to a Double of the I Class, the highest rank, and granted it also an Octave. The composition of a new Mass Cogitationes, and Office was undertaken, and there was provided a special preface for Masses of the Sacred Heart. The Prime versicles were replaced by a special one Qui Corde fundis gratiam 'Who pours out grace from Your Heart.' The entire Mass and the new preface. The text of the new Mass and the preface can be seen here.

This Mass is a bit disappointing for me, because it is not exactly a subsitute for the Mass Egredemini. Although the variations for Votive Masses are noticeably 'lighter', and the Mass is celebrated in white vestments, and certain texts of Egredemini are retained, the focus of the Mass is still mostly the reparative contemplation as seen in the Gospel, Collect, Offertory, Communion, etc... Not that that is a bad focus to have, but the sweetness of the Mass Egredimini is for me, especially suitable for Votive Masses. However it is still nice that the Sacred Heart has got its own preface.

First Published June 2007

The Scandalous Bishop of Cork

The Convenor has been showing off his knowledge of the Bishops of Cork but the most interesting of all is the scandalous Bishop John Butler, who was Bishop of Cork from 1763 to 1787.

The Butlers of Ormonde
John Butler came of the great Butlers of Ormonde, one of the greatest families in the kingdom of Ireland whose titles included a Dukedom, a Marquisate, four Earldoms and a Barony - the Barony was the problem. Under the pressure of the penal laws, members of each branch of the family were forced to 'conform' to the Protestant religion in order to save the family's property. For example, the famous Catholic family, the Butlers of Kilcash, Thomas Butler, who fought for the Jacobite cause, died in 1738. Whatever difficulties oppressed Catholics during life, special penalties were reserved for them at the passage of their estate to their heirs. Thus, Thomas' son, John, 'conformed' in 1739.

Father Butler
It was into this atmosphere of spiritual genocide that our John Butler was born in 1731. He was the third son of Edmond Butler, 8th Baron Dunboyne. While his two brothers, James and Pierce, joined the Wild Geese fighting with the Armies of the King of France, John pursued a vocation to the priesthood by studying at the Irish College in Rome from 1749. While there, he was not entirely passive - or well-behaved - and lost an eye in a duel. By reason of this defect, it required a special dispensation for him to be ordained, which he was on 20 December 1755 at the Lateran Basilica, which had newly acquired its Baroque façade and interior. He then studied at the College of Propaganda Fide, the great missionary college in Rome, and obtained his Doctorate in Divinity.

Father Butler returned to Ireland in 1758 where, under the penal laws, he was required to register as a Popish minister. He was examined before a Justice of the Peace in Whitehaven when he landed. If the Murphys ruled large parts of the Irish Church in the 19th cent., the Butlers held sway in the 18th. Father Murphy returned to his native Archdiocese of Cashel to serve as Parish Priest of Ardmayle, just north of Cashel, under his cousin, Archbishop James Butler. Christopher Butler had been Archbishop from 1712 to 1757, James succeeded him in 1757 and was succeeded by another James Butler in 1774. At his death in 1791, there had been an unbroken succession of Butler Archbishops for 71 years. During four years as a Parish Priest, Father Butler was also the Archbishop's Secretary and Archdeacon of the Archdiocese.

Bishop of Cork
When the Bishop of Cork died, Father Butler was placed dignissimus among the list of candidates submitted by Cardinal Spinelli, in one of his last acts as Prefect of the Propaganda Fide. The Congregation of Propaganda Fide was the Vatican Department of mission territories. Ireland (as well as Scotland, Canada and the United States) came under this Department of the Vatican until the Constitution of 29 June 1909. He was duly appointed Bishop of Cork on 16 April 1763 by Pope Clement XIII (the man who put the fig leaves on the statues of Rome) and he was consecrated the following June.

It is not hard to imagine that his time as Bishop was characterised by adherence to the status quo of the English Protestant ascendency. His Statuta synodalia pro dioecesi Corcagiensi in 1768 made membership of the Whiteboys, the geurilla fighters against the Protestant penal régime, a reserved sin. In 1771, he managed to prevent the introduction of the Ursuline Nuns to Cork by Nano Nagle - a felix culpa that was to see his successor, Bishop Moylan, preside over the foundation of the Presentation Sisters. The Ursulines don't seem to have been the only Order that didn't find Bishop Butler too helpful. The Carmelites of Kinsale had to endure repeated attempts by him to take over their Chapel as a Parish Church. When he couldn't succeed by other means, he withdrew their faculties to hear confessions and administer the Sacraments. Their appeal to Rome was supported by Fr. O'Mahony, the Parish Priest, who declared that the Chapel and Friary were built and owned by the Carmelite Order. Such incidents didn't bode well for the scandalous Bishop of Cork.

The Barons Dunboyne
Bishop Butler's father had died in 1732 and his brother James became the 9th Baron Dunboyne. James died in 1768 and their brother Pierce became 10th Baron. Pierce died in 1773 and his son, also Pierce, became 11th Baron, until his death in 1785. On the death of his nephew Pierce, Bishop Butler became 12th Baron Dunboyne.

This is where the scandal begins and it is the point at which I stop understanding the train of events - or the train of logic of the Bishop. Lord Dunboyne fears for the extinction of his family - he has, after all, outlived his father, brothers, and nephews. In order to preserve his line, he is anxious to have heirs, legitimate heirs, in which the small matter of a vow of celibacy is an obstacle. Thus, he resigns as Bishop of Cork and seeks a dispensation from his vow of celibacy from Pope Pius VI in order to marry and beget heirs to the title. "It is no pleasure for me after a life of celibacy, to share my bed and board," wrote the Reverend Lord Dunboyne. However, when he died in 1800, he was succeeded by a cousin, a nephew of Archbishop James Butler. It may have struck Pope Pius (and it strikes me) was it really necessary for him to marry? Couldn't the cousin have inherited just as well from a Bishop as from a Lord?

The Catholic Dunboynes had been, until that time, merely de facto Barons, since their Letters Patent couldn't be issued until they 'conformed.' It was not until the cousin inherited as 13th Baron that there was the "reversal of outlawries which affected the title, in the Court of King's Bench in Dublin in Michaelmas term 1827, by virtue of His Majesty's warrant dated at Windsor 26 October 1827."

The Scandal Begins
the 12th Lord Dunboyne seemed to think it was necessary that he should marry and after resigning as Bishop of Cork but without the dispensation from his vows from the Pope, he visited Brookley House in Tipperary, the home of some Protestant cousins, where (the worse for drink it is said) he met Miss Maria Butler. At the time, she was 23 and he was 57. By Christmas 1786, Maria's father had informed her that 'the Bishop' had asked for her hand in marriage. The courting began in earnest and they were married by the following April 1787 - need I say - in the Anglican Church. 'The Dunboynes' took up residence at Dunboyne Castle, Co. Meath.

On the 11 August 1787 Archbishop Butler met Lord Dunboyne to give him the Pope's reply (dated 9 June 1787). When he had finished reading the letter Lord Dunboyne is reported to have said “I fear my case has not been fully understood. I am not a young man, nor am I seeking release from my vows for selfish reasons. The Holy Father must be told again that I am solely concerned with the continuation of our family.” Mind you, the small matter of a wife might have made the explanation that much more difficult.

Eight days later, on 19 August 1787 Lord Dunboyne 'conformed' to Anglicanism at St. Mary’s Church, Clonmel before Rev. M.R. Dunlevy. The Catholic people of Clonmel protested outside. Fr. Arthur O’Leary, OFMCap., of Cork published a pamphlet against the apostate Bishop. An anonymous satire was published in Irish.

Nuair a bheas tú in Ifrionn go fóill,
Agus do deora ag silleadh leat,
Sin an áit a bhfuagh tú na scéala,
Cé is fearr sagairt no ministéar.

Later when you’ll be in hell,
And your tears flow,
That's the place that you’ll discover,
Which is better, a priest or minister.

The Dunboyne Marriage
The marriage was not a happy one. Their only child, a daughter, was born deformed and lived only a few minutes. It is said that the child was buried in ruins of the Augustinian Friary in Fethard, Co. Tipperary. A cloud of depression enveloped the couple which they attempted to lift by taking up residence at 18, Leeson Street, Dublin, now the home of the Standards in Public Office Commission. It didn't help their relationship and they soon divorced. Maria married John Moore from Portumna. They had one son, Hubert Butler Moore, and a grandson called Butler Dunboyne Moore, one of whose descendants was the British World War II commander Field Marshal Claude Auchinlech. Lady Dunboyne died in 1860.

Repentence
Lord Dunboyne showed many signs of remorse for his actions. When the Catholic Chapel at Dunboyne was destroyed in 1798, Lord Dunboyne offered to pay for the rebuilding himself. On another occasion he offered his own chalice, dated 1621, to the Parish Priest of Kilusty near Fethard saying "Here is a chalice for you with which I often celebrated Mass in happier days. Take it from my polluted hands." The chalice is still in the possession of the Parish.

From his residence in Leeson Street, Lord Dunboyne sought reconciliation with the Church through Archbishop Troy of Dublin. A letter begging for absolution was sent to Rome. Dunboyne's friend of 20 years, Fr. Gahan, O.S.A., an Augustinian and Prior of their house in John's Lane, was the man chosen by the Archbishop to attend him as he crept towards his judgement. Dr. Gahan was to fall under the shadow of the curse of the apostate Bishop.

Persecution Post Mortem
Dunboyne died on 5 May 1800 and was buried in the ruins of the Augustinian Friary in Fethard, near his infant daughter. He was reconciled to the Church on his deathbed, which made him, in the eyes of English Law "a relapsed Papist," in which condition, legacies of land in his will were automatically voided. Once again, the penal laws acted to persecute Catholics even after death. Dunboyne's will left a large endowment based on land to the recently founded Maynooth College. That endowment was later to form the basis of the Post-graduate Faculty, 'The Dunboyne Establishment.' However, before the endowment passed to the College, the will was challenged by Mrs. Catherine O’ Brien Butler, a cousin.

Dr. Gahan was compelled to appear as a witness in the case and he was required by the Court to reveal the secrets of his conversations with Dunboyne. The most famous of the series of cases, Butler v. Moore, MacNally [1802], 253, decided that Priest-Penitent privilege was not recognised in law, per Sir Michael Smith, MR. Dr. Gahan refused to breach the seal of confession. At the Trim assizes on 24 August 1802 his persistent refusal to testify as to the religion in which Dunboyne had died was ruled by the Chief Justice, Lord Kilwarden (who was caught up in the Robert Emmet rising) as contempt of court. Dr. Gahan was imprisoned but only for a short time.

Remnants
Sir Jonah Barrington in his 'Personal Sketches' says that Kilwarden "had no natural genius, and but scanty general information; his talents were originally too feeble to raise him by their unassisted efforts into any political importance. Though patronised by the Earl of Tyrone, and supported by the Beresford aristocracy, his rise was slow and gradual, and his promotion to the office of solicitor-general had been long predicted, not from his ability, but in consequence of his reputation as a good-hearted man and a sound lawyer."

The famous case of Cook v. Carroll [1945] IR 515, a judgement of Mr. Justice Gavan Duffy, firmly established Priest-Parishioner Privilege in Ireland.

In the end, faced with the prospect of endless litigation, the parties agreed to a division of the property, including the endowment at Maynooth.

Robert Butler, 16th Baron and direct descendant of the brother of Archbishop Butler, was a barrister and Master of the High Court in Ireland. His grandson, Patrick Butler, 18th Baron, was also a barrister (Middle Temple 1947, King's Inns 1966) and an English Circuit Court Judge. His son is the present Baron Dunboyne.

November - Month of the Holy Souls

Raccolta #140. HEROIC ACT OF CHARITY, OR, OFFERING OF ALL WORKS OF SATISFACTION AND SUFFRAGE IN BEHALF OF THE SOULS IN PURGATORY.

This heroic act of charity in behalf of the souls in purgatory consists in a voluntary offering made in their favour by any one of the faithful of all works of satisfaction done by him in this life, as well as of all suffrages which shall be offered for him after his death; by this act he deposits them all into the hands of the Blessed Virgin, that she may distribute them in behalf of those holy souls whom it is her good pleasure to deliver from the pains of purgatory, at the same time that he declares that by this offering he only foregoes in their behalf the special and personal fruit of each satisfactory work; so that, being a priest, he is not hindered from applying the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass according to the intentions of those who give him alms. This heroic act of charity, called also a vow or oblation, was instituted by F. Gaspar Oliden, a Theatine; for although it was not unknown in former ages, it was he who propagated it, and it was at his prayer that it was enriched with many indulgences first by Pope Benedict XIII. in his decree of August 23, 1728; and then by Pope Pius VI., in a decree of Dec. 12, 1788; these indulgences were finally specified by our Sovereign Pontiff Pius IX, in a decree of the S. Congr. of Indulgences of Sept. 30, 1852. They are as follows:

i. An indult of a privileged altar, personally, every day in the year, to all priests who have made this offering.

ii. A plenary indulgence, applicable only to the departed, to all the faithful who have made this offering, whenever they go to Holy Communion, provided they visit a church or public oratory, and pray there for a time according to the mind of His Holiness.

iii. A Plenary indulgence, every Monday, to all who hear Mass in suffrage for the souls in purgatory, provided they visit the church, and pray as above.

iv. All Indulgences granted or to be granted, even though not applicable to the dead, which are gained by the faithful who have made this offering, may be applied to the holy souls in purgatory.

v. Lastly, the same Sovereign Pontiff, Pope Pius IX., having regard to the young who are not yet communicants, as well as to the poor sick, to those who are afflicted with chronic disorders, to the aged, to farm-labourers, prisoners, and others who are debarred from communicating and unable to hear Mass on Mondays, vouchsafed by another decree of the S. Congr. of Indulgences, of November 20, 1854, to declare that for all the faithful who cannot hear mass on Mondays, the mass heard on Sundays should be available for gaining the Indulgence no. iii; and that in favour of those who are not yet communicants, or who are hindered from communicating, he leaves it at the disposal of their respective ordinaries to authorise confessors to commute the works enjoined. And note lastly, that although this act of charity is denominated a vow in some printed tracts, in which also is given a formula for making the offering, no inference is to be drawn therefrom that this offering binds under sin; neither is it necessary to make use of the said formula, since, in order to share in the said indulgences, no more is required than a hearty act of our will.

November - Month of the Holy Souls

Raccolta #136. THE "DE PROFUNDIS" AT THE FIRST HOUR AFTER THE "AVE MARIA."

Pope Clement XII. was the first who, in order to move the piety of Christians to pray for the souls in Purgatory, granted, by a Brief of Aug. 4, 1736, Coelestes Ecclesiae thesauros -

i. The indulgence of 100 days to all the faithful, every time that at the sound of the bell, at the first hour after the evening Ave Maria, they say devoutly on their knees the psalm De profundis, with a Requiem aeternam at the end of it. (The evening Ave Maria in Rome varies with the season; it is commonly taken as 6 o’clock.)

ii. A plenary indulgence to those who perform this pious exercise for a year at the hour appointed, once in the year, on any one day, after Confession and Communion. Those who do not know by heart the De Profundis, may gain these Indulgences by saying in the way already mentioned for the De profundis, one Pater noster and one Ave Maria, with the Requiem aeternam.

Observe also, that the aforesaid Clement XII. declared, Dec. 12, 1736, that these Indulgences might be gained by saying the De profundis, &c., as above, although, according to the custom of a particular church or place, the "signal for the dead," as it is called, be given by the sound of the bell either before or after one hour after the evening Ave Maria. Pope Pius VI., by a Rescript of March 18, 1781, granted the above-named Indulgences to all the faithful who should chance to dwell in any place where no bell for the dead is sounded, and who shall say the De profundis or Pater noster, as aforesaid, about the time specified above.

Ps. 129. De profundis clamavi ad te, Domine: * Domine, exaudi vocem meam. Fiant aures tuae intendentes: * in vocem deprecationis meae. Si iniquitates observaveris, Domine: * Domine, quis sustinebit? Quia apud te propitiatio est: * propter legem tuam sustinui te, Domine. Sustinuit anima mea in verbum ejus: * speravit anima mea in Domino. A custodia matutina usque ad noctem: * speret Israel in Domino. Quia apud Dominum misericordia: * et copiosa apud eum redemptio. Et ipse redimet Israel: * ex omnibus iniquitatibus ejus. Requiem aeternam * dona eis, Domine. Et lux perpetna luceat eis.Requiescant in pace. Amen. End at pleasure with the following:

V. Domine, exaudi orationem meam, R. Et clamor meus ad te veniat.

Oremus. Fidelium Deus omnium conditor et redemptor, animabus famulorum famularumque tuarum remissionem cunctorum tribue peccatorum: ut iudulgentiam, quam semper optaverunt, piis supplicationibus consequantur. Qui vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum. R. Amen.

V. Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine. R. Et lux perpetua luceat eis.

V. Requiescant in pace. R. Amen.

[Customarily recited at Low Mass in Ireland after the Last Gospel and before the Leonine Prayers for the souls of those who died during the ages of persecution.]