Ubi Petrus

I know it’s been really quiet here and I can’t say as I’m all that happy about that fact.  Despite plenty of excuses know that I am doing my best to get back to a regular blogging routine.  Honest.

That said, I plan on dragging you all along with me as I work to tackle three projects over the course of a good chunk of this year.  First, I’ve committed to getting my Latin studies going for real.  I’ll be going through John F. Collins’ Primer of Ecclesiastical Latin and using its associated Answer Key targeting roughly one unit per week.  There are 35 units in the book, so that means it’ll take me the better part of the year, but I’m going to let myself get ahead if I can.

Second and third, I’m going to read the entire Bible this year as well as the entirety of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.  I’ll be following the schedule set up by the good folks at the Coming Home Network.  I started this once before and hit a roadblock a couple of months in.  Hopefully this time will go more smoothly, although I am already a few days behind in starting.

I intend to share any reflections I may have or quotes that strike my fancy or even just the occasional “wow, Latin is a weird language – did you know …”.  That won’t be all I’ll be blogging about, but at least it will give me some structure going forward.

From today’s Office of Readings, commemorating St. Raymond of Penyafort:

The preacher of God’s truth has told us that all who want to live righteously in Christ will suffer persecution.  If he spoke the truth and did not lie, the only exception to this general statement is, I think, the person who either neglects, or does not know how, to live temperately, justly and righteously in this world.

May you never be numbered among those whose house is peaceful, quiet and free from care; those on whom the Lord’s chastisement does not descend; those who live out their days in prosperity, and in the twinkling of an eye will go down to hell.

Your purity of life, your devotion, deserve and call for a reward; because you are acceptable and pleasing to God your purity of life must be made purer still, by frequent buffetings, until you attain perfect sincerity of heart.  If from time to time you feel the sword falling on you with double or treble force, this also should be seen as sheer joy and the mark of love.

The two-edged sword consists in conflict without, fears within.  It falls with double or treble force within, when the cunning spirit troubles the depths of your heart with guile and enticements.  You have learned enough already about these kinds of warfare, or you would not have been able to enjoy peace and interior tranquillity in all its beauty.

The sword falls with double and treble force externally when, without cause being given, there breaks out from within the Church persecution in spiritual matters, where wounds are more serious, especially when inflicted by friends.

This is that enviable and blessed cross of Christ, which Andrew, that manly saint, received with joyful heart: the cross in which alone we must make our boast, as Paul, God’s chosen instrument, has told us.

Look then on Jesus, the author and preserver of faith:  in complete sinlessness he suffered, and at the hands of those who were his own, and was numbered among the wicked.  As you drink the cup of the Lord Jesus (how glorious it is!), give thanks to the Lord, the giver of all blessings.

May the God of love and peace set your hearts at rest and speed you on your journey; may he meanwhile shelter you from disturbance by others in the hidden recesses of his love, until he brings you at last into that place of complete plenitude where you will repose for ever in the vision of peace, in the security of trust and in the restful enjoyment of his riches. — St. Raymond of Penyafort

Today we pray for Rev. Patrick Gilbert and Rev. Paul Gilbert.

Fr. Patrick Gilbert was ordained in 2001 and is associate pastor of St. Aloysius of Gonzaga’s Parish in Nashua.

Fr. Paul Gilbert was also ordained in 2001 and is the Capital Deanery hospital chaplain as well as a weekend assistant at St. Theresa’s Parish in Henniker and St. Mary’s Parish in Hillsborough.

Yes, they are twin brothers.  I posted on a newspaper article on their story here.

Lord, may their service to You and Your Church always find its base and ground in love of You and may that love grow stronger each and every day.  May Mary watch over them and guide them and lead them to You, her Son.

Today we pray for Rev. Craig Cheney and Rev. Donald Clinton.

Fr. Cheney was ordained in 2003 and is pastor of North American Martyrs’ Parish in Colebrook.

Fr. Clinton was ordained in 1990 and is associate pastor of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal’s Parish in Hampton.

Lord may they serve You and Your Church with ever-increasing vigor and find themselves growing each day in their love for You.  May Mary watch over them and guide them and lead them to You, her Son.

Today we pray for all deceased priests and religious of the Diocese of Manchester.

Lord, have mercy on them; look with kind favor on all their service to Your Church and with forgiveness on all their failings.  May Mary look kindly on them and intercede for them with her Son who came that they might have eternal life.

Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine:

et lux perpetua luceat eis.

+++

Lux aeterna luceat eis Domine:

Cum sanctis tuis in aeternum, quia pius es.

Requiem aeternam dona eis Domine,

et lux perpetua luceat eis.

Cum sanctis tuis in aeternum:

quia pius es.

Today we pray for the Bishop of Rome; the Servant of the Servants of God; the Vicar of Christ; Successor Of St. Peter, Prince Of The Apostles; Supreme Pontiff Of The Universal Church; Primate Of Italy; Archbishop And Metropolitan Of The Roman Province; Sovereign Of Vatican City State; His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI.

Saint Peter, watch over your successor and help keep him close to the Sacred Heart of Jesus; help him to steer the straight and narrow course for the Church and lead us closer to Him in Whom we live and move and have our being.  May Mary take special care of him and shelter him in her mantle and draw him ever closer to her Son.

Today we pray for Rev. Deacon Richard Falardeau and Rev. Deacon James Patterson.

Deacon Falardeau was ordained in 2002 and serves St. Mary’s Parish in Rochester and St. Peter’s Parish in Farmington.

Deacon Patterson was ordained in 2002 and serves Our Lady of Mercy’s Parish in Merrimack.

Lord, may they continually find new ways to serve You and Your Church and may they be strengthened and refreshed in their service.  May Mary walk beside them and comfort them in all they do and lead them to You, her Son.

Today we pray for Rev. Robert Campbell MS and Rev. Becket Soule OP.

Fr. Campbell is currently serving on the staff of the Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in Enfield.

Fr. Soule was ordained in 1993 and is the pastor for St. Denis’ Parish in Hanover.

May they be strengthened in their vocation each day and draw others to You, Lord.  May Mary guard and guide them and lead them on to her Son.

Today we pray for Rev. John Bryson and Rev. Msgr. Lawrence Burns.

Fr. Bryson was ordained in 1950 and is now retired.

Fr. Burns was ordained in 1956 and is now retired as well.

Lord, grant them rest and rejuvenation in their retirement.  May they find new ways to bring souls to You and find themselves ever more conformed to You.  May Mary take them by the hand and guide them and lead them ever closer to You.