4 May: Blesseds Angel Maria Prat Hostench, Lucas of St. Joseph Tristany Pujol, Priests, and Companions

May 4
BLESSEDS ANGELUS MARY PRAT HOSTENCH,
LUKE OF ST. JOSEPH TRISTANY PUJOL, 
PRIESTS, AND COMPANIONS
Martyrs

Optional Memorial

In the houses in Spain:  Memorial

In a single celebration, both Orders of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel commemorate their martyrs who, in different places in Spain, bore witness to the faith before and during the long and bloody religious persecution for hatred of the faith (1936-1939). Father Angelus Mary Prat Hostench, O. Carm., was murdered with his confreres in Tárrega in 1936; Father Luke of St. Joseph Tristany Pujol, O.C.D., was slain with his confreres in Barcelona the same year. This memorial also includes the groups from Lleida, Tarragona, Toledo, Terrassa, Olot, and others. This multitude of bishops, diocesan priests, religious of various orders and lay people were beatified, in part by Pope Benedict XVI on October 28, 2007 (498 martyrs), and in part by Pope Francis on October 13, 2013 (522 martyrs).

From the Common of Several Martyrs

OFFICE OF READINGS

The Second Reading
From the writings of Blessed José María Mateos Carballido, priest and martyr
(The Holy Scapular 33 [1936], 135-137)

The history of the Church is written with the blood of its martyrs

It is an undeniable truth that the athlete is formed through exercise, that through it he strengthens his limbs and becomes strong and invincible for the fight; that gold is purified in the crucible and that the more it is purified, the better it is to make precious objects with it.

Something like this happens to the human heart, a precious gold that increases in dignity when melted in the crucible of tribulation and in which are formed holy men and heroes. And something like this also happens in the mystical body of the Church; in her, persecution brings forth unsuspected flowers, unseen virtues, unprecedented heroism. That is why her divine founder announced to her that she would be persecuted at all times: “You will be hated by everyone because of me. They will hand you over to the courts and flog you in their synagogues. They will make you appear before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the pagans” (Luke 21:12).

And under the blows of the battering ram of persecution, the Church was forged with its martyrs and its virgins, its saints and its doctors, until it became the prodigy that, after nineteen centuries, appears to the eyes of friends and enemies as the admirably divine work of its Divine founder.

From its beginning, the Church has been chiseled by that engraving tool of persecution, by which each blow that has been dealt has placed a precious stone in the always immovable walls of that beautiful building.

The pages of its history have been written with the blood of its martyrs and from its appearance until today, there has not been a century in which it has not flourished.

Thus, the Church was born; and, watered by the blood of so many innocents, this rich and generous sap flowed through her mystical body to make her produce the most beautiful flowers of science, virtue, heroism and holiness.

Thus, it was born, and over the centuries, it could be seen that those thorns of persecution never left her. But those blows did nothing other than give new vigor to that blessed tree, which, after each persecution, appeared more luxuriant, just as when spring emerges, the tree that has received the attentions of the successful hand of the pruner shows its lushness.

Given the events of recent months, what is our duty? To pray and to love. These are the two most powerful means that can revive peace among men. Pray much, because prayer will give us strength to confess Christ and not to turn our backs on Him like cowards. And love, for so much hatred, can only be drowned by a great outpouring of charity. For her enemies, the Church only has those words that came from the dying lips of Christ in agony on Calvary and were his most beautiful testament: “Father, forgive them”. The Church opens her arms as a loving Mother to all her children, even to those who persecute her, and she says to them all, “Father, forgive them.”

Faced with the danger of new persecution, let us not lose heart. Christ will always be with us, and no matter how rough the combat may be, we will emerge from it purified and the Church will gather new flowers between the folds of her tunic once again dyed with the blood of her children.

Responsory
2 Tim 4, 7-8a; cfr. Phil 3, 8. 10

℟. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. * Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, (alleluia).
℣. Indeed, I count everything as loss that I may know Christ, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death. * Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, (alleluia).

Or:

From the writings of Blessed Luke of Saint Joseph, priest and martyr
(The Words of the Crucifix. Tarragona-Barcelona 1928, pp. 65-69)

The law of forgiveness shines in the martyrs

The great law of forgiveness, already promulgated from the beginning of the gospel teaching on the Mount of the Beatitudes, and so solemnly confirmed on the cross, points out to all of us the straight and sure path of eternal blessedness, and creates a wellspring of happiness and harmony, so that men can already taste it here on earth. It descends to the most intimate part of human consciousness, and stirs it all up, attacking to its deepest roots the poison of selfishness, destroyer of all happiness and harmony between souls.

This sublime doctrine of the Redeemer imposes on all of us, as a formal and necessary precept for our salvation, the sincere forgiveness of all serious injuries that have been inflicted on us. And, as an indispensable condition for inner peace and for achieving some degree of evangelical perfection, it also imposes on all of us a benevolent, total and sincere indulgence for each and every one of the many and varied deficiencies of our neighbors.

And, consequently, the great law of evangelical forgiveness is imposed not only on those who have to deal with specific enemies from whom they have received serious injuries, or from whom they know that truly bear them ill; but it reaches to all of us, whatever our state or condition, since there is no one who has not at some time felt offended or bothered, whether little or much.

This law can be applied every day and every hour of our daily life, both in the intimacy of domestic life and in social relationships; it is the same in the most secret and secluded part of the cloisters as in the whirlwind of worldly business.

For the holy Gospel, ideally beautiful as it is in everything, is always very simple and practical, because it can be adapted to all the modalities of each person’s real life. But, among all the evangelical precepts, this one of the forgiveness of enemies is one of the most eminently practical, because, as it penetrates to the most hidden depths of the human conscience, it reaches even to the most secret recesses of the heart, where the subtlest selfishness is also well hidden and concealed. This precept uncovers it; it reveals it to the conscience of every man who wants to know himself. And so this admirable law intends to intervene and inform all our actions, both the religious and the social: the religious, because we know that God does not accept them if we offer them to Him while nursing bitterness or fraternal resentments in our soul; and the social ones, because this precept reminds us that we will be treated by God just as we ourselves treat our brothers.

In this great school of the Cross, all the saints and martyrs learned its admirable wisdom and received its strength, knowing how to live without cursing anyone and how to die content, praying for those who made them shed their generous blood.

This sublime word of Jesus Christ was very fertile and creative, for it awakened, and still awakens today, in many souls, marvelous sentiments that the world had not known before. It taught so many millions of martyrs of all conditions to die with a smile on their face and a prayer on their lips, praying for the very executioners who were tormenting them.

Responsory
Mt 5, 43-45; Jn 13, 15

℟. You have heard that it was said: “You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I say to you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, * so that you may be children of
your Father who is in heaven, (alleluia).
℣. I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. * so that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven, (alleluia).

Prayer

Almighty and merciful God,
who granted the priests Blesseds Angelus Mary, Luke of Saint Joseph,
and their companions
the grace of reaching the summit of Mount Carmel through martyrdom,
grant, we pray, through their intercession,
that we may always live with wisdom and zeal,
by bearing witness to the kingly majesty of Christ.

Who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.

We are grateful to our Discalced Carmelite Friars for providing the English texts of liturgical offices published after the 1993 edition of the Carmelite Proper—Liturgy of the Hours.

It is a strange experience to feel your life shifting in real time. A few weeks ago, I realised I do not want to shield people from the consequences of their actions or carry secrets that are not mine. That decision has changed more than I expected.

Some relationships are under strain. This morning, I ended things with a long-term support worker. The pattern was clear, and I could not continue in it. Boundaries exposed what had been maintained through silence, obligation, and blurred roles.

I am more direct and more honest. There is less filtering and less effort to manage how things land for others. I am not minimising my experience to keep things comfortable. That shift is changing how people respond and who remains.

This is affecting how I experience church. I am asking where God is within it. Is the focus on Him or on getting things right? I love the choir, the structure, and the liturgy. There is real beauty there. At the same time, something is missing.

There is little space to speak about lived faith. Talking about what Christ is doing in my life or saying I am praying for someone feels out of place. The emphasis seems to rest on form and correctness. Those matters, though they do not replace a living expression of faith.

I am holding two realities. I value where I am, and I also recognise it does not fully meet what I need spiritually. That tension has become clearer as I have become more honest in other areas.

Old roles brought predictability. Keeping the peace, carrying things quietly, adapting to fit. Letting those go creates space and also uncertainty. I am working out where I stand and how I want to relate to people.

There is more alignment internally. Decisions feel consistent with what I think and believe. Clarity has increased even where things feel harder.

Other people are now facing their responsibilities more directly. Some step into that. Others resist it. That response reveals the strength of the relationship.

There is grief here. Ending relationships carries loss. Questioning where I belong, especially in church, is significant. Letting go of familiar roles means letting go of a version of myself others knew.

There is also a sense of something more grounded forming. Less about appearances. More about truth. Less about fitting into structures. More about alignment. Less silence. More integrity.

I do not yet know where this leads. I do know I cannot return to how things were before that moment of clarity. The patterns are now visible. What is mine to carry is clearer.

For now, I am allowing the shift to unfold and paying attention to what holds.

#faith #christian #churchlife #boundaries #growth #healing #authenticity #spirituality #liturgy #choir #personaldevelopment

28 April: Blessed Maria Felicia of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament Guggiari Echeverría

April 28
BLESSED MARIA FELICIA OF JESUS IN THE BLESSED SACRAMENT GUGGIARI ECHEVERRÍA
Virgin

Optional Memorial

María Felicia Guggiari Echeverria, familiarly known as Chiquitunga, was born in Villarrica del Espíritu Santo (Paraguay) on January 12, 1925. As a member of Catholic Action she dedicated herself enthusiastically to the service of children, the poor, and the sick, up until the moment, when, at the age of thirty, she entered the Carmel of Asunción. In January 1959, learning that she had been struck by infectious hepatitis, with great generosity and apostolic spirit, she devoted her state of life to God. Thus, she returned to the Father on April 28, 1959, at the age of 34. She was beatified by Pope Francis on June 23, 2018.

From the Common of Virgins, or of Women Saints: Religious

Office of Readings

Second Reading
From the “Spiritual Writings” of María Felicia of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, Virgin
(Personal Diary, pp. 192, 223-224, 245, 290; Asunción, Paraguay, 2011)

The apostolate, whether it be prayer or action, is my vocation

I want to develop my life of union with my God, a deep intimacy that costs me so much. How much I would really like to talk to him, without worrying about the time, the moment or the place! I need it so much that I hope to be able to have those days to fill myself up with my God so as later to be able to let his word, his example, his life, overflow into all souls!

You know these times of struggle that I am going through. Are they a trial for me, Jesus? Give me strength, oh divine Risen Lord! There are moments of utter discouragement. How will this lack of understanding from my family end, especially from my father? What attitude should I adopt? I am no longer distressed by my state as such, because my consecration is made with all my heart. No, that’s not what worries me; but, in this state of total abandonment that I’m gradually embracing, what will its new face be?

But why am I so troubled, Lord? If I have given myself to you and abandoned myself to you, what am I afraid of? I don’t understand why the Lord is asking me to give myself to him and, above all, I fear this second detachment more than anything else because of its repercussions on people other than myself. Jesus, can’t you make them see some of this too? I beg you, my Lord, to take me, if necessary, or to cripple me before I give in or turn away from you. What would life be worth? What would become of me then? Give me strength for the fight and above all give me much, much love; ardent love for you, Jesus in the Eucharist, for the ideal, for souls. Make me a true apostle!

In the midst of it all, I feel that the apostolate, whether it be prayer or action, is my vocation. But where exactly? My consecration to the Lord is complete; nothing belongs to me anymore, nor do I belong to myself. I am impatient because I would like to see myself definitively where I need to be. I suddenly feel a little dejected, downcast, perhaps a little physically unwell.

So, Jesus, in my dryness, I thank you, my God, for the gift of your mercy, for allowing your blood to wash away once again the multitude of my sins, and what sins, Lord!

I surrender myself to you, I don’t know to what, but I surrender; with dread, though, and with cowardice, but I surrender. As never before, I am feeling your power, my dependence on you; and, even so, you see and know how I am! Only with your mercy, trusting in it, do I throw myself into something that surpasses all human strength and even more so my own. Have mercy on me! Help me to want what you want, Jesus. Mother full of grace, you are my Mother! I throw myself into your hands, Mary! Help me to remember all the things I have learnt, how many there are, and to make the most of them, my Mother. Firstly: to live in the convent as if there were only God and I.

Secondly: to see in each of my sisters the image of God, the dwelling place of the Holy Trinity. Third: to be a constant source of consolation for all, without ever overstepping the limits of holy obedience. Fourth: to base my perfection, not on what creatures can appreciate, but on what my Creator knows. Fifth: to die in order to live and to live in order to love.

Responsory
Cf. Phil 3: 8b. 10; Rom 6: 8

R/. For Christ I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him. Alleluia. * That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings. Alleluia.
V/. If we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. Alleluia. * That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings. Alleluia.

Prayer

O God,
who in the Virgin Blessed Maria Felicia of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament
gave us an excellent witness of love towards your Son
grant, that, following her example,
we may live in the spirit of the beatitudes
and offer our lives for your glory and the salvation of the world.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.

We are grateful to our Discalced Carmelite Friars for providing the English texts of liturgical offices published after the 1993 edition of the Carmelite Proper—Liturgy of the Hours.

23 April: Blessed Teresa Mary of the Cross Manetti

April 23
BLESSED TERESA MARY OF THE CROSS MANETTI
Virgin

Optional Memorial

She was born at Campi Bisenzio, Florence, where in 1874 she founded the Congregation of Carmelite Sisters of St. Teresa, who she also sent to Lebanon and the Holy Land. She lived joyfully, body and soul, the mystery of the Cross in full conformity to the will of God and she was outstanding for her love for the Eucharist and her maternal care for children and for the poor. She died at Campi Bisenzio on April 23, 1910.

From the Common of Virgins or the Common of Holy Women (Religious)

Office of Readings

Second Reading
From the works of Saint Teresa of Avila
(Interior Castle VII, 4; 4, 5, 8. Way of Perfection 26, 7. Interior Castle II, 1; 11.)

Fix your gaze on the Crucified and everything becomes easy

His Majesty could not grant us a greater favor than to give us a life that would be an imitation of the life that His beloved Son lived. For this reason, I hold it certain that these favors are meant to fortify our weakness so that we may be able to imitate Him in his great sufferings.

Fix your eyes on the Crucified and everything will become easy for you. If His Majesty showed us His love by means of such works and frightful torments, how is it you want to please Him only with words?

Do you know what it means to be truly spiritual? It means becoming the slaves of God. Marked with His brand, which is that of the Cross, spiritual persons, because now they have given Him their liberty, can be sold by Him as slaves of everyone, as He was. In acting this way, He doesn’t do us any harm but rather He grants us a not insignificant grace.

We have always seen that those who were closest to Christ our Lord were those with the greatest trials. Let us look at what His glorious Mother suffered and the glorious apostles.

Take up the Cross of Jesus. Help your Spouse to carry the burden that weighs Him down and pay no attention to what they may say about you. If you should happen to stumble and fall like your Spouse, do not withdraw from the Cross or abandon it. No matter how great your trials may be, you will see that they are quite small in comparison to His.

If we never look at Him or reflect on what we owe Him and the death He suffered for us, I don’t know how we’ll be able to know Him or serve Him. And without these works in His service, what value will our faith have? And what value will our works have if they are separated from the inestimable merits of Jesus Christ, our Good? And then who will bring us to love this Lord?

Responsory

R/. I rejoice in the trials I bear and make up in my flesh that which is lacking in the sufferings of Christ * for the sake of His body which is the Church (alleluia).
V/. I have been crucified with Christ, and now no longer live but Christ lives in me: * for the sake of His body which is the Church (alleluia).

Prayer

O God,
you sustained the virgin,
Blessed Teresa Mary,
along the way of the cross
by a most ardent love of the Eucharist,
and you gave her a mother’s love
for your little ones and the poor.
Through her intercession, grant that,
strengthened by the bread of angels,
we may delight in sharing
the sufferings of Christ,
and hasten the coming of your kingdom
through our own works of mercy.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Catholic Church 1993, Proper of the Liturgy of the Hours of the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel and the Order of Discalced Carmelites (Rev. and augm.), Institutum Carmelitanum, Rome.

#TheMetalDogArticleList
#Metal
Mayhem Singer Finds Light Amongst Death on 'Liturgy of Death'

https://loudwire.com/mayhem-attila-csihar-liturgy-of-death-album-2026-interview/

#MayhemSingerFindsLightAmongstDeath #Liturgy #album #vocalist #Metal #music

https://shj.org/new-siddur-for-humanistic-judaism/

Very excited that I recently got my copy of this siddur. My friend Martin Di Maggio has done an incredible job with it.

I hope to share more reflections on it in the coming days as I have the chance to dive deep into it, but I will say for now three things:

1. The book itself is not only easy to read, but it is beautiful. I really like how the pages are laid out.
2. Many of the non-theistic liturgical selections are crafted in such a way that they work with the traditional melodies we know.
3. There is a good bit of #Sephardic influence in this siddur, which is a welcome change.

#HumanisticJudaism #Tefilah #Mazeldon #Liturgy

https://shj.org/new-siddur-for-humanistic-judaism/

Very excited that I recently got my copy of this siddur. My friend Martin Di Maggio has done an incredible job with it.

I hope to share more reflections on it in the coming days as I have the chance to dive deep into it, but I will say for now three things:

1. The book itself is not only easy to read, but it is beautiful. I really like how the pages are laid out.
2. Many of the non-theistic liturgical selections are crafted in such a way that they work with the traditional melodies we know.
3. There is a good bit of #Sephardic influence in this siddur, which is a welcome change.

#HumanisticJudaism #Tefilah #Mazeldon #Liturgy

18 April: Blessed Mary of the Incarnation Avrillot

April 18
BLESSED MARY OF THE INCARNATION AVRILLOT
Religious

Optional Memorial

In the houses in France:  Memorial

Barbe Avrillot was born in Paris in 1566. At the age of sixteen, she married Pierre Acarie, by whom she had seven children. In spite of her household duties and many hardships, she attained the heights of the mystical life. Under the influence of St. Teresa’s writings, and after mystical contact with the Saint herself, she spared no effort in introducing the Discalced Carmelite nuns into France. After her husband’s death, she asked to be admitted among them as a lay sister, taking the name of Mary of the Incarnation; she was professed at the Carmel of Amiens in 1615. She was esteemed by some of the greatest men of her time, including St. Francis de Sales; and she was distinguished by her spirit of prayer and her zeal for the propagation of the Catholic faith. She died at Pontoise on April 18th, 1618.

From the Common of Holy Women (Religious)

Office of Readings

Hymn

Proud Heresy, with fur’ous, flame-like glance,
Hath gazed exulting on the Western nations;
And fired, as by a torch, unhappy France
is prey to cruel wars and devastations.

A noble woman, brave, of lion heart,
Now giveth rescue, home and faith defending,
With courage to repel the poison-dart,
And spurn the peril with a will unbending.

The exile of her lord is bravely borne,
Her scattered heritage and ruined dwelling;
She nobly conquers insult, pride, and scorn,
With joyful heart to lowly deeds compelling.

She faltereth not tho’ trial presseth sore,
Though cares abound, tho’ lamed in torture lying;
Nay, for her Lord’s sweet sake she craveth more,
To suffer all with Him her soul is sighing.

And when misfortune giveth place to peace,
She resteth not, her zeal o’erpasseth measure;
To spread the faith her ardors never cease,
And gentle service is her life and pleasure.

From Spain she seeketh help for her loved land,
For Carmel there, a noble vine hath flourished,
Transplanting thence a sacred virgin band,
By blest Theresa’s strength of spirit nourished.

All honor to the Father and the Son!
Be equal glory to the Spirit given!
O great Divinity, Thou, Three in One,
May ages praise Thee with the songs of Heaven!

10.11.10.11.

The Second Reading
From the Way of Perfection by Saint Teresa of Avila
(C. 1, no. 1ff.: ed. Kavanaugh-Rodriguez 1980, pp. 41-43, 50)

The apostolic aim of the Teresian Carmel

When I began to take the first steps toward founding this monastery, it was not my intention that there be so much external austerity.

At that time news reached me of the harm being done in France and of the havoc the Lutherans had caused and how much this miserable sect was growing. The news distressed me greatly, and, as though I could do something or were something, I cried to the Lord and begged him that I might remedy so much evil. It seemed to me that I would have given a thousand lives to save one soul out of the many that were being lost there.

I realized I was a woman and wretched and incapable of doing any of the useful things I desired to do in the service of the Lord. All my longing was and still is that since he has so many enemies and so few friends that these few friends be good ones. As a result I resolved to do the little that was in my power; that is, to follow the evangelical counsels as perfectly as I could and strive that these few persons who live here do the same.

I did this trusting in the great goodness of God, who never fails to help anone who is determined to give up everything for him. My trust was that if these sisters matched the ideal my desires had set for them, my faults would not have much strength in the midst of so many virtues; and I could thereby please the Lord in some way. Since we would all be occupied in prayer for those who are the defenders of the Church and for preachers and for learned men who protect her from attack, we could help as much as possible this Lord of mine who is roughly treated by those for whom he has done so much good; it seems these traitors would want him to be crucified again and that he have no place to lay his head. Still, my heart breaks to see how many souls are lost. Though I can’t grieve so much over the evil already done—that is irreparable—I would not want to see more of them lost each day.

O my Sisters in Christ, help me beg these things of the Lord. This is why he has gathered you together here. This is your vocation. These must be the things you desire, the things you weep about; these must be the objects of your petitions. The world is all in flames, they want to sentence Christ again, so to speak, since they raise a thousand false witnesses against him; they want to ravage his Church.

So, then, I beg you for the love of the Lord to ask His Majesty to hear us in this matter. Miserable though I am, I ask His Majesty this, since it is for his glory and the good of the Church; this glory and good is the object of my desires.

Responsory

R/. Let petitions and prayers of thanksgiving be offered to God for everyone: * for it is His will that all should be saved and come to know the truth (alleluia).
V/. Prayer of this kind is good, and pleasing to God our Savior, * for it is His will that all should be saved and come to know the truth (alleluia).

Morning Prayer

Hymn

Freed at length from marriage tie,
Winged with joy her soul doth fly
To the fortress of Teresa, led by Spirit’s call;
Choosing there the lowest place,
She, who with a mother’s grace
Well might rule and govern, now is subject unto all.

O’er her sisters rising far,
As a bright and glorious star,
Guide of all who seek the path of life to God above,
She all honor doth despise,
And with great Teresa vies
In the tortures of her heart consumed with flames of love.

Mount thee to the heavenly height,
In the grace of love and light,
Harken to thy suppliants then, who pleading cry to thee.
Cast a love-enkindled glance
On thine own, thy native France,
That all minds and hearts be one in faith and charity.

Hasten all ye right of heart,
Sing ye loud with joyful art
Praise to our Redeemer Christ, and humbly Him adore;
Praise with all the heavenly host
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
One in Blessed Trinity of Persons ever more.

77.76.D.

Canticle of Zechariah
Ant. Whatever you ask of the Father in my name, says the Lord, He will give you (alleluia).

Prayer

Heavenly Father,
You gave Blessed Mary of the Incarnation
heroic strength in the face of the adversities
she met along life’s road,
and zeal for the extension of the Carmelite family.
May we your children
courageously endure every trial
and persevere to the end in Your love.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.

Evening Prayer

Hymn

Let angels hymn sweet harmony unending,
Let Carmel gladly join her ardent prayer,
While temples echo with the songs ascending
Upon the joyful air.

The glorious life of Mary now inspires
The chanting of her praises, fitly due;
She dwelleth high amid celestial choirs,
In bliss serene and true.

Her mind reposed in God from earliest dawning;
Her ready heart was swift to prompting grace;
All empty pomp and sinful pleasures scorning,
She fled the world’s embrace.

To dwell with Christ a virgin, was her choosing;
She fondly sought Him for her Lord and Spouse,
But wishes of her parents ne’er refusing,
‘Neath wedded yoke she bows.

So hath God willed that this exalted matron
With brightest luster of her state might shine,
To them that wed a noble type and patron
Of virtues all divine.

As wife and mother strong her love and tender,
Meek to obey her husband’s every call,
To children and to servants prompt to render,
A prudent care in all.

All honor to the Father, Son, and Spirit,
O glorious Trinity enthroned above.
The blessed faith whose teachings we inherit,
Proclaims Thee One in love.

11.10.11.6

Canticle of Mary
Ant. I have not labored for myself alone, but for all who seek wisdom (alleluia).

Catholic Church 1993, Proper of the Liturgy of the Hours of the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel and the Order of Discalced Carmelites (Rev. and augm.), Institutum Carmelitanum, Rome.

Featured image: This portrait of Blessed Mary of the Incarnation was created by an unknown artist in the mid-17th century. The is part of the art collection at the Carmel of Saint Joseph in Pontoise, France. Image credit: Discalced Carmelites (Used by permission)

17 April: Blessed Baptist Spagnoli

April 17
BLESSED BAPTIST SPAGNOLI
Priest

Optional Memorial

Born in Mantua on April 17th, 1447, as a youth, Baptist joined the Carmelites of the Congregation of Mantua at Ferrara. He made his religious profession in 1464 and served in many positions of responsibility in the community; he was vicar general of his congregation six times, and in 1513 was elected prior general of the whole Order. In his own time, he was a renowned humanist ‘who brought his richly varied poetry into the service of Christ.” He used his friendships with scholars as an opportunity of encouraging them to live a Christian life. He died in Mantua on March 20th, 1516.

From the Common of Holy Men (Religious)

Office of Readings

The Second Reading

From the treatise of Blessed Baptist Spagnoli “On Patience”

We draw hope from the consolation of scripture

You will find that the reading of sacred scripture is a great and powerful remedy against bodily suffering and depression of mind. In my opinion, there is no other writing, no matter how eloquent and stylish it may be, that can bring such peace to our minds and so thoroughly dissolve our cares as sacred scripture can.

I speak from personal experience: for there have been times when I was beset with anxieties, the worst of which came from the experience of my own weakness, and if on such occasions I sought relief in the scriptures, the hopes, and desires that led me there were never disappointed. The word of scripture proved to be a solid bulwark against my anxieties and a relief to my troubled spirit.

I have often wondered why the scriptures have this persuasive power, why they have such a powerful effect of those who listen to them, and why they lead us to the commitment of faith and not to the mere forming of opinion. This response of faith does not happen because of a reasoning process, because scripture does not offer one; and it is not a matter of literary style or artistic merit, because scripture does not use these devices; nor does it use soft words to persuade us.

The real reason that scripture has this persuasive power is that it comes from First Truth. Surely there can be no other explanation for such conviction. It seems as though scripture has an inherent authority that compels us to believe. But on what base does this authority rest? None of us has seen God preaching, writing, teaching — and yet we believe as though we had seen, and realize that what we read comes from the Holy Spirit. One reason for believing may well be that the truth contained in scripture is very solid truth, even though it is not as clear as we might wish. All truth has an inherent power to win our acceptance: the greater the truth, the greater its power.

So why is it, then, that not all believe the good news? My reply is that not all are drawn by God. However, there is no point in arguing further. We believe in sacred scripture to the degree that we accept in our hearts God’s divine inspiration.

Responsory

R/. Your decrees give me joy, * a joy beyond all wealth (alleluia).
V/. In Your statutes I find delight; I will not forget Your word, * a joy beyond all wealth (alleluia).

Canticle of Zechariah

Ant. The mouth of a virtuous man is a fountain of life: his lips enlighten many (alleluia).

Prayer

Lord God,
You made Our Lady’s faithful servant,
Blessed Baptist Spagnoli,
a preacher of Your Gospel by word and example.
Through His prayers
may we ponder Your word in Mary’s company
and praise You with her by the way we live.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.

Canticle of Mary

Ant. Your statutes have been my songs in the place of my exile; they are the delight of my heart (alleluia).

Catholic Church 1993, Proper of the Liturgy of the Hours of the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel and the Order of Discalced Carmelites (Rev. and augm.), Institutum Carmelitanum, Rome.

Featured image: This portrait of Blessed Baptist Spagnoli is attributed to Antonio Maria Crespi. The oil on canvas painting dates to the period 1613–1621 and forms part of the art collection at the Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana in Milan. Image credit: Pinacoteca Ambrosiana (Public domain)

The liturgical structure of the African Methodist Episcopal Church represents a vital intersection of historical liberation theology and traditional Methodist practice.

"Worship Practices in the AME Church." For those interested in ecclesiastical studies and the preservation of religious heritage, this is an excellent resource.

Full article here:
https://www.maryvv.com/ame-church-worship-practices/

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