Vol 13 Issue 16 ~ Editor: Rev. Fr. Courtney Edward Krier
April 18, 2020 ~ Vigil of the Resurrectio

1.      What is the Holy Eucharist
2.      Quasimodo Sunday
3.      Pope Saint Julius I
4.      Family and Marriage
5.      Articles and notices
Dear Reader:

The end of Lent has arrived and now Catholics are waiting for the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. For many the greatest sacrifice was that of being denied Mass and the Sacraments in response to an undue submission to state mandates. The media has been quick to correlate  the fact that a person having the virus attended a church, completely overlooking the fact that it was more likely to have been contracted at convalescent homes, hospitals or stores  where the elderly  person spent time. Notice that there is no mention of the homeless contracting? Because the homeless can’t go grocery shopping and are not visiting hospitals and convalescent homes or engaged in travel (they were supposedly making an emergency hospital next to where I live but stopped because none were contracting Covid-19). It is not a defense of Protestantism, but the unfortunate lack of faith among Catholics and their unwillingness to oppose oppression that now allows the right to close Church doors backed by an organization that promotes humanism starting from a leader who has usurped the Chair of Peter. For Catholics who still define the faith according to the actions of the Conciliar Church, one should be aware of the consequences seen in the eyes of their children. They are looking no longer at what is the faith because they don’t see it lived in the lives of Catholics; rather they listen to what the state mandates which is contrary to the Church because the state enforces it.

There was the CNN interview with a Protestant leader who held a service and had this conversation:

“If you believe the science ― and I assume you are pro-life, is that correct?” Blackwell asked Spell, using the term adopted by many people who oppose reproductive rights. Spell confirmed that he is.

“How is this a pro-life stance to put people in jeopardy of contracting a disease, getting a virus that has no treatment, no cure, often has no symptoms and has killed more than [8,500 people in the U.S.] in five weeks?” Blackwell continued.

Spell responded that “people’s hope is in the House of God.”

(www.cnn.com/2020/03/24/us/louisiana-pastor-spell-coronavirus/index.html)

This should have been from our Bishops, not from a Protestant. It is not the direct taking the life of another like abortion, rather it is the impetration that God remove the scourge and save us from death—especially eternal death, and thereby saving lives.

In the early Church, Christians were forbidden to gather by the state but suffered martyrdom rather than follow the edicts. They were told to hand over the sacred books, but refused at the cost of their lives to perform a simple act that placed the state above God. The Protestants will attract our young people because they are living what they preach. Catholics are going to lose the youth because they are too afraid to let people know they are Christians and that as Christians they must obey God before man. No wonder why the faith was taken away in the 60’s. Where zeal is evidenced those that are weak are supported, those who seek the light recognize it because it is not hidden, and the grace of God is poured out.

What evidence do we see portending as a result? Just for walking and praying outside an abortion clinic—not interfering with social distancing—just praying, walking and talking, a man is arrested despite not opposing any other regulations. (https://thedailywake.com/2020/04/06/benham-brother-arrested-for-sidewalk-counseling-at-abortion-center-during-covid-19-news/) Of course the media is silent or defends the action. It is a sign that once more the “keep your faith in the closet of your home” promoted by Obama and the anti-Christian progressives (ACLU, SPLC, ADL, DNC, CNN, MSNBC, etc.) are well and alive and taking the opportunity to snuff out Christianity by labeling it a cancer to society. Unwittingly, we are siding with them if we condemn Churches that remain open. We agree with them when we close our churches. Faithful are refused the Sacraments that in ages past the priests were willing to sacrifice their life in order that the faithful would receive them—even the young clerics, such as Saint Tarcisius, to carry the Sacraments to those in prison. We don’t seek martyrdom, but we accept it if it comes. Therefore, we don’t publicize, but we don’t cease to live our Catholic Faith. May the prayers of the faithful implore God to grant zeal to the bishops and priests so the faithful are not deprived of the graces of the Sacraments.

Wishing all a most blessed Feast of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ and remembering all at the altar on this memorable day.

As always, enjoy the readings provided for your benefit.—The Editor

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WHAT IS THE HOLY EUCHARIST

By Rev. Courtney Edward Krier

PART II

Institution

Christ Prepares the Apostles for the Sacrament of His Body and Blood

With the Synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke and of Saint Paul’s Epistle to the Corinthians, it is clear that at the Last Supper Jesus Christ made it possible for those who believe in Him to eat His flesh and drink His blood. In Capharnaum Christ made it clear that those who believe in Him must eat His Body and Drink His Blood. Adding that Christ taught this in the synagogue in Capharnaum (ibid., 6:60). The use of the word τρώγω(ν) (trógon) and βρῶσις (brósis) has the understanding of eating with the sound of physical chewing and a partaking in a meal.

Christ also claims unequivocally that He is God, for He says: I will raise him up on the last day (ibid. 6:55). When the Machabee children were martyred, it is recorded:

After him the third was made a mocking stock, and when he was required, he quickly put forth his tongue, and courageously stretched out his hands: And said with confidence: These I have from heaven, but for the laws of God I now despise them: because I hope to receive them again from him. So that the king, and they that were with him, wondered at the young man’s courage, because he esteemed the torments as nothing. And after he was thus dead, they tormented the fourth in the like manner. And when he was now ready to die, he spoke thus: It is better, being put to death by men, to look for hope from God, to be raised up again by him: for, as to thee thou shalt have no resurrection unto life. (2 Maccabees 7:10-14)

This was in the same belief as Daniel: And at that time shall thy people be saved, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of those that sleep in the dust of the earth, shall awake: some unto life everlasting, and others unto reproach, to see it always. (12:1,2) Ezechiel gives a vivid description that is both interpreted to the establishment of Christ’s Church on earth, as also the general resurrection:

Thus saith the Lord God: Behold I will open your graves, and will bring you out of your sepulchres, O my people: and will bring you into the land of Israel. [13] And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I shall have opened your sepulchres, and shall have brought you out of your graves, O my people: [14] And shall have put my spirit in you, and you shall live, and I shall make you rest upon your own land: and you shall know that I the Lord have spoken, and done it, saith the Lord God. (Ezech.  37:12-14)

Isaias speaks also of the resurrection in these words: He shall cast death down headlong for ever: and the Lord God shall wipe away tears from every face, and the reproach of his people he shall take away from off the whole earth (Isa. 25:8). He say later: Thy dead men shall live, my slain shall rise again: awake, and give praise, ye that dwell in the dust (ibid. 26:19) And Job confirms:

I know that my Redeemer liveth, and in the last day I shall rise out of the earth. And I shall be clothed again with my skin, and in my flesh I shall see God. Whom I myself shall see, and my eyes shall behold, and not another; this hope is laid up in my bosom (Job 19:25-27).

Not only does Martha confirm her belief in the resurrection (John 11:24), earlier Christ answered the Sadducees

[W]ho say there is no resurrection; and asked him, Saying: Master, Moses said: If a man die having no son, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up issue to his brother. Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first having married a wife, died; and not having issue, left his wife to his brother. In like manner the second, and the third, and so on to the seventh. And last of all the woman died also. At the resurrection therefore whose wife of the seven shall she be? for they all had her. And Jesus answering, said to them: You err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they shall neither marry nor be married; but shall be as the angels of God in heaven. (Matt. 22:23)

Jesus has fully revealed to those in the Synagogue that He is the Christ, the Son of God and thereby God Himself Who will give eternal life. It is a scene different than Nazareth (cf. Luke 4:16ff). The words that He spoke were understood as He explained: eat His Flesh and drink His Blood because He was God and commanded His followers to do so.

Concluding the discourse, it was no longer just the Jews who murmured, but even many of the disciples. He clearly proposed that it was no longer a decision to follow because of the physical miracles and earthly benefits; one must believe Jesus was the Messias and accept that He was the fulfillment of the Old Testament. Many of his disciples, hearing it, said: this saying is hard, and who is able to accept it? (John 6:61) The reply of Our Lord addresses their devotion to Him was based merely on the miracles. Now He is proposed another miracle and they don’t believe it because it can only be accepted by faith. Does this scandalize you? What if you shall see the Son of man ascending to where he was before? When Elias went up to heaven it is written:

And fifty men of the sons of the prophets followed them, and stood in sight at a distance: but they two stood by the Jordan. And Elias took his mantle and folded it together, and struck the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, and they both passed over on dry ground. And when they were gone over, Elias said to Eliseus: Ask what thou wilt have me to do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Eliseus said: I beseech thee that in me may be thy double spirit. And he answered: Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless if thou see me when I am taken from thee, thou shalt have what thou hast asked: but if thou see me not, thou shalt not have it. And as they went on, walking and talking together, behold a fiery chariot, and fiery horses parted them both asunder: and Elias went up by a whirlwind into heaven. (4 Kings 7:11)

And Eternal Wisdom expresses itself in Proverbs (30:4):

Who hath ascended up into heaven, and descended? who hath held the wind in his hands? who hath bound up the waters together as in a garment? who hath raised up all the borders of the earth? what is his name, and what is the name of his son, if thou knowest?

In this sense, Christ continues: It is the spirit that gives life: the flesh profits nothing. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe. For Jesus knew from the beginning who believed and who would betray him. (John 6:64-65) He, therefore, tells them that it is expected for them to leave. Even after seeing Elias taken into heaven Scripture notes:

And they said to him: Behold, there are with thy servants fifty strong men, that can go, and seek thy master, lest perhaps the spirit of the Lord hath taken him up and cast him upon some mountain or into some valley. And he said: Do not send. But they pressed him, till he consented, and said: Send. And they sent fifty men: and they sought three days but found him not. And they came back to him: for he abode at Jericho, and he said to them: Did I not say to you: Do not send? (4 Kings 7:16-18)

Instead of the humility of the Apostles who said, Increase our faith (cf. Luke 17:5), they refused to believe: And he [Christ] said: I therefore said to you, that no man can come to me, unless it is given to him by my Father. (John 6:66) John then states: After this many of his disciples departed and did not walk anymore with him. (Ibid. 6:67) To point to the distinction between the Jews and disciples who left Him, Then Jesus said to the twelve: will you also go away? (v. 68) Peter gives a magnificent profession of faith: Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life; And we have believed and known, that you are the Christ, the Son of God. (vv. 69, 70) After such a profession of faith John includes a warning by Jesus: Have I not chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? Now he meant Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, who was about to betray him, since he was one of the twelve. (Vv. 71-72) Thus, Augustine writes: Nondum traheris? Ora ut traharis. Pray that the Father may draw you to his Son. (In Joannes Evan., PL 35, col. 1607)

John, chapter vi, has been understood to be the par excellent introduction to the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, the Mystery of Faith.

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The Sunday Sermons of the Great Fathers

M. F. Toal

THE GOSPEL OF THE SUNDAY

MARK xvi. 1-8

And when the sabbath was passed, Mary Magdalen, and Mary the Mother of James, and Salome, bought sweet spices, that coming, they might anoint Jesus. And very early in the morning, the first day of the week, they come to the sepulchre, the sun being now risen. And they said one to another: Who shall roll us back the stone from the door of the sepulchre? And looking, they saw the stone rolled back. For it was very great. And entering in to the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed with a white robe: and they were astonished. Who saith to them: Be not affrighted; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified: he is risen, he is not here, behold the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee; there you shall see him, as he told you.

EXPOSITION FROM THE CATENA AUREA

V. 1. And when the sabbath was over . . .

JEROME, in Mark, in h.c.: After the sadness of the sabbath a day of happiness now shines forth, which holds the primacy among all days, the First Light shining upon it; and upon it the Lord rises triumphant from the dead. Whence is it written: And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalen, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought sweet spices, that coming; they might anoint Jesus.

GLOSS: For as soon as the Lord was laid in the tomb, since it was lawful to work till sunset, the holy women prepared ointments, as Luke says. And because they could not complete their task for lack of time, as soon as the sabbath ended, that is, as the sun was setting, they were again free to continue their work, and they hastened to buy spices, as Mark here says, so that coming early they might anoint the body of Jesus; nor were they able on the evening of the sabbath, as darkness fell, to approach the tomb; hence there follows:

V. 2. And very early in the morning, the first day . . .

SEVERIANUS: With feminine devotion they here hasten to the tomb, the holy women who come bringing not faith to the Living, but ointments for the Dead, and that they may prepare the tribute of their grief for the One who was buried, not to make ready for the joys of the divine triumph for the One now rising.

THEOPHYLACTUS: For they were not sensible of the greatness and merit of the divinity of Christ. They came to anoint the body of Christ according to the custom of the Jews, that it might remain fragrant, and so that it would not begin to dissolve: for the spices have a drying effect, and absorb the moisture of the body; hence they preserve it incorrupt.

GREGORY, Hom. 21 in Evang.: But we who believe in Him Who has died, we come with ointments to His tomb when we seek the Lord, filled with the odours of virtue, and with the fame of good works.

And very early in the morning . . .

AUGUSTINE, Harmony of the Gospels III, 24, 65: What Luke calls very early in the morning, and John, early, when it was yet dark, Mark is read as saying: very early in the morning, the sun being now risen, that is, when the sky begins to whiten in the east; which in any case takes place around the time the sun begins to rise. For it is its glow which is wont to be given the name aurora (daybreak); and he is not contradicting the evangelist who says: when it was yet dark. For as day breaks the more the light grows the more the remaining darkness fades. Neither are we to take the words, very early in the morning, the sun being now risen, to mean that the sun was already visible above the horizon, but as meaning that the sun was drawing close to that quarter of the sky; that is, the sun now rising begins to lighten the sky.

JEROME: Very early, therefore, he says, where another Evangelist says, very early in the morning; the time between the darkness of the night and the brightness of the day. In which time the salvation of the human race appeared as the sun: His blessed nearness must be announced (in the Church), which, as it rises, sends before it a roseate aurora, that the eye prepared by the grace of this shining glow may see, when the hour of the Lord’s Resurrection has shone out; that the whole Church, after the example of the holy women, might then sing the praises of Christ, when by the proof of His Resurrection He has awakened mankind from sleep, when He has given them life, and poured into them the light of belief.

BEDE: As it was very early in the morning that the women, according to the account, came to the tomb, a great eagerness of life is implied; and so, mystically, an example is given us of how, scattering the darkness of the vices, and with our face to the light, we should be earnest in offering to the Lord the odour of our good works, and the sweetness of our prayer.

THEOPHYLACTUS: He says, The first day of the week; that is, the first of the seven days: for the seven days are called a sabbath, and this was the first of them. BEDE: Or, the first day after the sabbath, that is, the day of rest; which they observed on the seventh day.

V. 3. And they said one to another: Who shall roll us back . . .

SEVERIANUS: Your heart was sealed, your eyes were shut, and so you saw not before you the splendour of the wide open tomb. For there follows:

V. 4. And looking, they saw the stone rolled back from the door.

BEDE: How the stone was rolled back Matthew sufficiently explains (Matt. 28). This rolling back of the stone mystically suggests the unlocking of the Mysteries of Christ, which were concealed by the covering of the Law: for the Law was written on stone. There follows: For it was very great. SEVERIANUS: Great in size, yet greater in significance than in size, which sufficed to shut in and cover the Body of the Creator of the world.

GREGORY: The holy women who came with sweet spices beheld the angels: for those souls see the citizens of heaven who in the odour of virtue come in desire to the Lord.

V. 5. And entering in to the sepulchre, they saw …

THEOPHYLACTUS: Do not be astonished should Matthew say that the angel was sitting upon a stone, and Mark that the women, entering into the sepulchre saw a young man sitting on the right hand side. For he whom they first saw sitting upon the stone, the same they also saw afterwards inside the sepulchre.

AUGUSTINE, Harmony of the Gospels III, 24, 63: Or we are to understand that Matthew was silent regarding that angel whom the women saw on entering into the sepulchre, and Mark as to the one they saw without, sitting upon the stone; that they saw two angels, and learned from each, singly, what the angels had said concerning Jesus. Or we ought certainly to accept, going into the sepulchre, as meaning, into a certain part of the garden in which, it is reasonable to infer, there was then an enclosed part, giving a certain small space in front of the rock from which a place for burial had been hewn; and that they beheld the same angel sitting on the right side whom Matthew says was sitting upon the stone.

THEOPHYLACTUS: There are some who say that the women spoken of by Matthew are other than those spoken of by Mark; but Mary Magdalen followed them all, having in her heart both fervent haste and ardent love.

SEVERIANUS: The holy women therefore enter into the sepulchre, that, buried with Christ, they may rise with Christ from the tomb. They see a young man, that they may see the age of our resurrection: for resurrection knows no old age; and where man is neither born or dies, there age allows of no loss, nor does it need to gain: whence is it they see a young man, not an old one, not an infant, but one in the joyous time of life.

BEDE: They saw a young man sitting on the right side, that is, on the southern side of that place where He was laid. For the Body lying prone had the Head to the west, the right side must therefore be to the south. GREGORY: What is signified by the left side if not the present life? And what by the right if not life everlasting? Therefore, because Our Redeemer had now passed over beyond the infirmity of this present life, rightly does the Angel who had come to announce His eternal life sit at the right side.

SEVERIANUS, as above (i.e. Chrysologus): They see the young man sitting at the right side also because resurrection has no part with the left. They also see him, clothed with a white robe. This robe came from no mortal fleece, but from lifegiving Power, and shone with heavenly light, as the prophet says: Thou art clothed with light as with a garment (Ps. ciii. 2); and as was said of the Just: Then shall the just shine as the sun (Mt. xiii. 43).

GREGORY: Or, he appeared clothed with a white robe, because he has announced the joys of our great Feast: for the shining whiteness of the garment proclaims the splendour of our solemnity. JEROME: The enemy now put to flight, and the kingdom restored, the shining white garment is that of true joy: for the King of Peace is sought and found and never given up. This young man therefore reveals the nature of the resurrection to those who fear death. And because of this they were astonished; because the eye has not seen, nor the ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man, what things God had prepared for them that love him (I Cor. ii. 9).

V. 6. Who saith to them: Be not affrighted . . .

GREGORY: As if to say: Let them be affrighted who love not the coming of the heavenly citizens; and let them fear exceedingly who because they are ruled by carnal desires despair of being able to enter their company. But you, why should you fear, you who now see your own fellow citizens? JEROME: For where there is love, there is no fear. What were they frightened of who had found Him Whom they sought?

GREGORY: But let us hear what the Angel goes on to say. You seek Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus in the Latin language is interpreted to mean Saviour. But then there could have been many called Jesus, in name, but not in the reality. Accordingly, the place also is added, so that it may be clear of what Jesus he is speaking, namely: of Nazareth. And he immediately adds their motive: Who was crucified.

THEOPHYLACTUS: For he was not ashamed of the Cross: for in this is the salvation of men, and of the blessed Powers. JEROME: For the bitter root of the cross has disappeared; the Flower of Life has come forth in fruit; that is, He Who lay in death has risen in glory; whence he here adds: He is risen, he is not here. GREGORY: He is not here, is said of His Presence in the Flesh Who was everywhere present in His Majesty.

THEOPHYLACTUS: And as if he were saying: If you look for proof of His Resurrection, he adds: Behold the place where they laid him. For it was for this he had rolled the stone back: to show the place. JEROME: Immortality is shown to mortal men, that we may make fitting thanks, and that we may understand what we have been, and know what we shall be.

V. 7. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth . . .

The women are told to tell the Apostles: because through a woman death had been promulgated; and through a woman Life now rising again. He says especially, and Peter: for since the latter had thrice denied His Master he regards himself as unworthy of being His Disciple; but past sins hurt not, when they please not.

GREGORY: Had the Angel not mentioned him by name who had denied the Master he would not have dared to come into the midst of the Disciples. He is therefore invited by name, so that he shall not despair because of his denial.

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12: ST JULIUS I, POPE (A.D. 352)

THE name of Pope St Julius stands in the Roman Martyrology today with the notice that he laboured much for the Catholic faith against the Arians. He was the son of a Roman citizen named Rusticus, and succeeded Pope St Mark in 337. In the following year St Athanasius, who had been exiled at the insistence of the Arians, returned to his see of Alexandria, but found himself opposed by an Arian or semi-Arian hierarch whose intrusion had been obtained by Bishop Eusebius of Nicomedia. In response to the request of the followers of Eusebius, Pope Julius convoked a synod to examine into the matter, but the very people who had asked for the council refrained from attending it. The case of St Athanasius was, however, very carefully examined in their absence; and the letter which the pope subsequently sent to the Eusebian bishops in the East has been characterized by Tillemont as “one of the finest monuments of ecclesiastical antiquity”, and by Monsignor Batiffol as “a model of weightiness, wisdom and charity”. Calmly and impartially he meets their accusations one by one and refutes them. Towards the end he states the procedure they ought to have followed. “Are you not aware that it is customary that we should first be written to, that from hence what is just may be defined? . . . Whereas you expect us to approve condemnations in which we had no part. This is not according to the precepts of Paul or the tradition of the fathers. All this is strange and new. Allow me to speak as I do: I write what I write in the common interest, and what I now signify is what we have received from the blessed apostle Peter.”

The council at Sardica (Sofia) convened in 342 by the emperors of the East and West, vindicated St Athanasius, and endorsed the statement, previously made by St Julius, that any bishop deposed by a synod of his province has a right to appeal to the bishop of Rome. Nevertheless it was not until the year 346 that St Athanasius was able to return to Alexandria. On his way thither he passed through Rome, where he was cordially received by Pope Julius, who wrote a touching letter to the clergy and faithful of Alexandria, congratulating them on the return of their holy bishop, picturing the reception they would give him, and praying for God’s blessing on them and on their children.

St Julius built several churches in Rome, notably the Basilica Julia, now the church of the Twelve Apostles, and the basilica of St Valentine in the Flaminian Way. He died on April 12, 352. His body was buried at first in the cemetery of Calepodius, but was afterwards translated to Santa Maria in Trastevere which he had enlarged and beautified.

(Butler’s Lives of the Saints)

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THE YEAR

AND OUR CHILDREN

Planning the Family Activities for Christian Feasts and Seasons

By Mary Reed Newland (1956)

12

HOLY WEEK AND EASTER

KEEPING THE VIGIL AT HOME

For night prayers, after the very small children were in bed, we had for several years past a kind of homemade Easter Vigil. It included only part of the prayers of the restored Vigil, but it was beautiful and significant. Now we have a parish Vigil—Alleluia!

But not all will be able to attend. Baby-sitters will be needed. So perhaps those at home can prepare for the return of those who go to keep the Vigil. These in turn might bring back with them some of the drama and joy of the Vigil, in a lantern lighted with the newly blessed Easter fire, and a bottle of some of the newly blessed Easter water. These radiances of joy and blessedness can touch the house itself.

Those at home may make the last beautiful preparations before the joy of the Risen Lord. They may be the ones to put the Paschal candle in its place, to remove the shrouds from the statues, to return the planters to the mantel where they decorate it once more with thick green, reminding us all year of the True Vine. The Infant of Prague must have on His Easter cope, and the table must be prepared for the festive Easter breakfast.

Reading the prayers of the Vigil at home (booklets are everywhere available at low cost), the baby-sitting ones will be ready for the return of the others. Perhaps if they have small fry to see to bed, theirs will be the privilege of telling the story that is, for me, the most beautiful of all the Easter stories. It should be the very last thing at night, after prayers, for the staying-at-home little ones. Ours have heard it as they lay in their beds.

It is about Mary Magdalene and how she found Him in the garden on Easter morning. She did not really understand. After all He had said about rising on the third day, still she wept and wrung her hands and looked for Him. Even when she saw the angels it did not dawn on her. Then—she saw Jesus. Thinking He was a gardener, she heard Him say:

“Woman, why art thou weeping? For whom art thou searching?” 

And she said: “If it is thou, Sir, that hast carried Him off, tell me where thou hast put Him, and I will take Him away.”

Then that lovely moment. He said simply, “Mary.” And she knew.

How tender, the love that inspired them to record this scene.

We know that He appeared to His Mother first. It is an ancient tradition in the Church, and St. Teresa of Avila, many others, confirm it. But for us who are sinners, the scene described so carefully is this meeting with the one who was such a great sinner. It should be a part of every child’s Easter Eve, and often it will make them weep. But these are fine, good tears, that come because they understand that He loves them.

If the parish Vigil is early, perhaps some children will attend, or at least be permitted to stay up until their parents return. In this case, those at home could read the prayers of blessing for the New Fire and the Paschal Candle (unless someone has successfully returned with the already blessed new fire). A new fire can be kindled at home, with a flint, by using a cigarette lighter. (I would never have known, if someone hadn’t pointed it out.) Each time it is lighted, it is a new fire. The Blessing for the New Fire is a beautiful prayer.

V. The Lord be with you.

R. And with thy spirit.

Let us pray. O God, who through Thy Son, the corner stone, hast bestowed on the faithful the fire of Thy glory, sanctify this new fire produced from a flint for our use; and grant that by this paschal festival we may be so inflamed with heavenly desires, that with pure minds we may come to the feast of perpetual light. Through the same Christ Our Lord.

R. Amen.

(Sprinkle fire with holy water.)

We make a hole for each of the five cloves to go in the Paschal candle, by piercing the candle with a hot skewer; then we insert the cloves, light the candle with the new fire, and read the prayer for the Blessing of the Paschal Candle.

V. The Lord be with you.

R. And with thy spirit.

Let us pray. May the abundant infusion of Thy blessing descend upon this lighted Candle, we beseech Thee, almighty God: and do Thou, O invisible regenerator, look down on it, shining in the night; that not only the sacrifice that is offered this night may shine by the secret mixture of Thy light: but also into whatsoever place anything of this mystically blessed object shall be brought, there the power of Thy majesty may be present, and all the malice of satanic deceit may be driven out. Through Christ our Lord.

R. Amen.

(Sprinkle the candle with holy water.)

These blessings are out of context. Their place is in the Easter Vigil. We use them here, as we said, to inspire those at home and reflect some of the joy of the rites at the church. Used as prayers, simple petitions made by lay priests asking God’s blessing on their domestic sacramentals, they should still bring down His blessing.

The Prophecy from the Book of Jonas (3:1-10) is no longer used in the shorter form of the restored Easter Vigil, but it is an excellent reading for children left at home, especially if they have used the Jonas project described as part of their Lenten activity. The Litany of the Saints is another prayer used in the Vigil which is especially appropriate for those at home. Our children are more than ever enthusiastic about the Litany since we learned to sing it—or at least to sing the invocations to saints, followed by “Pray for us.” How did we learn to sing it? A priest friend sang a few lines of it. It was that easy. Why it didn’t occur to us to ask someone to sing it long ago, no one knows. If only the Trapp Family lived next door, we keep saying. But they don’t, so we plod along.

If it is still early enough in the evening for the little ones to be up, the renewal of baptismal vows is a perfect ending to their vigil at home. If this is not possible, perhaps the babysitter would like to make this the climax of his, or her, evening, when the family returns from church, having just renewed theirs. If possible, provide blessed candles to be lighted and held by those renewing their vows.

Leader: My dearest Brethren, Holy Mother Church, recalling the death and burial of our Lord Jesus Christ, watches during this most holy night and loves Him in return; at the same time, she celebrates His glorious Resurrection, and gladly rejoices.

For the Apostle teaches us that we are indeed buried together with Christ by baptism unto death; that, as Christ is risen from the dead, so we also ought to walk in newness of life; we know that our old man has been crucified with Christ, that we may serve sin no longer. Let us reckon that we are dead to sin, but alive unto God, in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Therefore, my dearest Brethren, now the Lenten observance is over, let us renew the vows of our Holy Baptism, by which we have of old renounced Satan and his works, and also the world, which is the enemy of God, and promised to serve God faithfully in the holy Catholic Church.

Therefore:

Leader. Do you renounce Satan?

Response. We do renounce him.

L. And all his work?

R. We do renounce them.

L. And all his pomps?

R. We do renounce them.

L. Do you believe in God the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth?

R. We do believe.

L. Do you believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was born and who suffered?

R. We do believe.

L. Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the remission of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting?

R. We do believe.

L. Let us now with one voice pray God, as our Lord Jesus Christ has taught us to pray.

R. (All say the Our Father together and aloud.)

L. And may almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has caused us to be born again by water and the Holy Ghost, and granted us the remission of sins, Himself keep us by His grace in the same Christ Jesus our Lord unto eternal life.

R. Amen.

(All bless themselves with holy water.)

This form of renewal of baptismal vows may also be used, without the introductory passages referring to Lent, when children renew their baptismal vows at a family feast celebrating their Baptism or a patron saint’s feast day, or the feast of Pentecost. A renewal at home at least once a year is a beautiful family rite, and the ideal way to teach children an awe and love for their Baptism.

ALLELUIA AT LAST

Easter morning. Alleluia!

The Hallel, greatest of Hebrew expressions of praise, together with Jah, the shortened form of Jahve, God’s name, combine to make this lovely word. Dom Winzen writes:

On the eve of Septuagesima Sunday, the Alleluia was buried. Now it rises out of the tomb. . . . the Alleluia is the heart of the Opus Dei; the song which the Moses of the New Testament sings together with His People after He has passed through the Red Sea of His Death into the glory of His Resurrection.

The first child awake races downstairs to take Jonas out of the fish, set him on the beach, and with him sing Alleluia! Quickly they all gather and at last the door to the living room is opened. There are the marvelous baskets, resplendent with decorations, with gifts, with goodies. Walk carefully. The eggs are hidden everywhere. All together sing another Alleluia! as the early one lights the Paschal candle.

Then to Mass, to the great joy of Easter Communion. He is in each of us; therefore we are One in Him. At every Mass He will be our Paschal Lamb, the perfect sacrifice, the perfect victim, offered everywhere for us, always, until the world comes to an end.

Home to the beautiful breakfast table, the delicious Easter bread, the excitement of the egg hunt and the opening of gifts. It has been so long since we have sung Alleluia after Grace. What a glorious morning! The Paschal candle is lighted. While we rejoice, it burns with a steady flame. It says,

“I am risen, and am still with thee, Alleluia!”

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Father Krier will be in Pahrump on April 16 and Eureka on April 23. Because of the restrictions on interstate travel, there is no possibility presently to travel outside Nevada. (Needles will still have regularly scheduled Mass)

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