Dear Friends in Christ,
Welcome to our weekly Sunday update. This Sunday (November 10, 2024) is designated the Fifth Sunday after Epiphany (Resumed) on the traditional liturgical calendar. The date of Easter being variable, the number of Sundays after Pentecost also varies from year to year. This year there are four which fall between Christ the King and the First Sunday of Advent. The liturgy of the first three reverts to that of the fourth, fifth and sixth Sundays after Epiphany respectively. In the parable pronounced by Jesus in the Gospel reading for this Sunday, the enemy who came and oversowed cockle among the wheat represents the devil. The servants of the property owner – who, discerning the evil deed, wish to pull up the bad weeds – are the angels ever anxious to do the will of God. But the goodman (who represents God Himself) tells them to let both wheat and cockle grow until the harvest lest in rooting out the weeds, wheat be uprooted too. At the time of the harvest (the Last Judgment) the cockle is to be collected first and bound in bundles to be burned (in hell). Then will the wheat be gathered into the goodman’s barn (which is Heaven).
Calendar of Saints and Special Observances
Celebrations are those listed in the Roman Missal of 1962 or on the liturgical calendar of Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary.
DAY, DATE – FEAST (CLASS)
Sunday, November 10 – Fifth Sunday after Epiphany (Resumed) (II)
Monday, November 11 – St. Martin of Tours, Bishop and Confessor (III); Commemoration of St. Mennas, Soldier and Martyr
Tuesday, November 12 – St, Martin I, Pope And Martyr (III)
Wednesday, November 13 – (USA) St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, Virgin (III); St. Didacus, OFM, Confessor (III).
Thursday, November 14 – St. Josaphat, Ruthenian Bishop and Martyr (III)
Friday, November 15 – St. Albert the Great, OP, Bishop, Confessor and Doctor of the Church (III)
Saturday, November 16 – St. Gertrude, OSB, Virgin (III)
Fifth Sunday after Epiphany (Resumed)
The
links provided below can be used to download printable copies of the
Proper Prayers for Mass in the Extraordinary Form for the Fifth Sunday
after Epiphany (Resumed) with either English or Spanish translation.
(Note, however, that in Spanish the Mass is identified as that for the
"twenty-sixth Sunday after Pentecost". In addition, the citation for
the Gospel reading, “Mat. 13:31-35,” is incorrect, as the verses quoted
are Matthew 13:24-30.) The English version includes a commentary on the
Gospel reading from Divine Intimacy by Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary
Magdalen (1893-1953). Also offered below is a link to Dr. Michael P.
Foley’s latest essay on the Ordinary of the Mass, “Credo in Unum Deum”
as well as his commentary, "The Orations of the Reconfigured Fifth
Sunday after Epiphany", both from New Liturgical Movement.
Latin Mass Schedule: Fifth Sunday after Epiphany (Resumed)
(November 10, 2024)
Charlotte Area Latin Masses
11:30 a.m., Saint Thomas Aquinas
12:30 p.m., Saint Ann
Other Diocese of Charlotte Latin Masses
8:30 a.m., Saint John the Baptist (Tryon)
9:00 a.m., Our Lady of the Angels (Marion)
1:00 p.m., Church of the Epiphany (Blowing Rock)
1:30 p.m., Our Lady of Grace (Greensboro)
Diocese of Charleston Latin Masses
12:00 p.m., Prince of Peace (Taylors SC)
1:00 p.m., Our Lady of the Lake (Chapin SC)
Note:
Travelers are urged to consult parish websites or offices for
up-to-date information regarding possible changes in the regular
schedule of Sunday Mass times.
Latin Mass Schedule: Weekdays
Charlotte Area Latin Masses
Saint Ann – Wednesday, 6:00 p.m.
Saint Thomas Aquinas – Thursday, 7:00 p.m.
Saint Ann – Friday, 7:00 a.m.
Other Diocese of Charlotte Latin Masses
Our Lady of the Mountains (Highlands) – Tuesday, 9:30 a.m.
Saint John the Baptist (Tryon) – Friday, 8:30 a.m.
Church of the Epiphany (Blowing Rock) – Friday, 9:30 a.m.
Diocese of Charleston Latin Masses
Prince of Peace (Taylors SC) — Monday-Friday,12:00 p.m. (Per bulletin, no Mass on Monday November 11 due to federal holiday)
Prince of Peace (Taylors SC) — Saturday, 8:00 a.m.
Note:
Travelers are urged to consult parish websites or offices for
up-to-date information regarding possible changes in weekday Mass times.
Pray for Our Priests
At the recent Diocese of Charlotte Eucharistic Congress, Carolina Traditional Liturgy Society launched a "Pray for Our Priests" campaign, soliciting prayers on behalf of our diocesan priests. Please join those already engaged in this prayer initiative by pledging as many Hail Marys as your heart will allow! Our goal is to secure the recitation of 150,000 Hail Marys for the 133 diocesan priests before the end of the liturgical year on November 30th. As we all know, spiritual warfare between angels and demons rages continually, and prayer is a powerful weapon in the battle.
During a recent talk, Living Through these Trying Times: Faith in Trials (1/5), Father Chad Ripperger (at the 13-minute mark), said that we must pray for the protection of our clergy and pray in a very specific way. He noted that we should call on Our Lady and give her our prayers for our priests and also ask her to protect and hide us and our prayers from the demons, to prevent them from undermining the effects of the prayers (click here to listen).
To participate in the “Pray for Our Priests” campaign, please visit the Carolina Traditional Liturgy Society website or use the link below, keeping in mind that you can always add Hail Mary’s once your initial pledge has been met.
Oremus!
Announcements
All Souls Novena of Masses and Indulgences
– St. Ann is again offering a Novena of Masses for the Poor Souls in
Purgatory during the month of November. The names of those one wishes
to have remembered in this special way may be submitted either by
collection envelope or online. In addition, the Book of the Dead will
be available in the narthex of the church for enrollment of the names of
deceased loved ones. All those whose names are submitted will be
especially remembered in the Litany of the Dead to be offered after every daily Mass in November.
Disaster Relief – Catholic Charities is requesting monetary donations to support disaster relief efforts in western North Carolina in the wake of the widespread damage caused by Hurricane Helene. The following website has been established to facilitate the donation of funds to help survivors recover from the catastrophic flooding caused by the storm: Donate to Disaster Relief for Western North Carolina. One can also give directly to the parishes that are also assisting those affected: Saint Elizabeth of the Hill Country, Boone and Saint Bernadette, Linville. Please continue to pray for those who lost their lives or their homes or were otherwise affected by the recent storm.
Election Prayers – Thanks to those who prayed the Election Consecration Novena prayer by Fr. Ripperger and the 54-day Rosary Novena encouraged by Fr. Reid. In thanksgiving for any fruitful outcome, one is always welcome to pray the novena prayer for an additional nine days. [link]
Holy Face Devotions
Prayers of Reparation to the Holy Face of Jesus are offered each week at the following churches on the indicated days:
St. James (Concord) – Monday, 10-10:30 a.m. (in the cry room)
St. Mark – Tuesday, 5:30 p.m.
St. Thomas Aquinas – Tuesday, 6:00 a.m.
St. Ann – Tuesday, 7:30 a.m. (following 7:00 a.m. Novus Ordo Mass)
St. Michael the Archangel (Gastonia) – Tuesday, 8:30 a.m. (following 8:00 a.m. Novus Ordo Mass)
Holy Spirit (Denver) – Tuesday, 10-11:00 a.m. (following the 9:15 a.m. Novus Ordo Mass)
St. John the Baptist (Tryon) - First Saturday, 9:30 a.m. (after 8:30 a.m Latin Mass)
“Jesus, Your ineffable image is the star which guides my steps. Ah, You know, Your sweet Face is for me Heaven on earth” (from Canticle to the Holy Face by Saint Thérèse de Lisieux, the 19th century Discalced Carmelite nun who took the name in religion, Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face).
Latin Mass and Liturgical News
Return to Our Lady: Sixteenth Reflection is the latest offering from Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke for those participating in his Nine-Month Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe on behalf of the Church and the world. Cardinal Burke provides a video presentation of his reflection, together with the text of his message, the prayer to be recited daily by participants and links to valuable background material regarding St. Juan Diego’s miraculous encounter with Our Lady in 1531. [Return to Our Lady Sixteenth Reflection]
Cardinal Burke Receives Enthusiastic Welcome by Pamela Seal of the Diocese of Lake Charles, Louisiana, reports on Cardinal Raymond Burke’s visit to their diocese and his offering of a Pontifical Latin Mass at the Institute of Christ the King Oratory in Sulphur, LA. [Cardinal Burke Receives Enthusiastic Welcome]
The Solemn Ostentation of Relics on All Saints Day at FSSP in Urbe is a photo post in the Liturgical Arts Journal by local writer John Paul Sonnen about a unique and ancient custom of venerating the relics of saints at the Latin Mass parish in Rome, staffed by the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter (FSSP). [The Solemn Ostentation of Relics on All Saints Day at FSSP in Urbe]
2025 Guadalajara Mission Trip invites participation in the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter’s (FSSP) special “mission and retreat” for college-age men to be held January 2-10 in Guadalajara, Mexico. Participants will work (building a home), pray, attend Latin Mass, and recollect in the beautiful Tapalpa Mountains. [2025 Gaudalajara Men's Mission Trip - St. John Bosco Camps]
US Bishops Announce Christ the King Novena, Urge Prayers for ‘Freedom of the Church’ is a new novena being launched by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops for Feast of Christ the King for the Church’s liberty. The novena runs from November 15-23. The novena can be found here. [US Bishops Announce Christ the King Novena].
Mary, Queen of the Martyrs: A New Shrine in Florida Forgotten Catholic Protomartyrs presents the incredible architectural renderings of the proposed Shrine of the La Florida Martyrs in Tallahassee, Florida. The edifice will honor those who planted the seeds of Christianity in the United States, the fifty-eight Spanish laymen and friars, as well as native converts to Catholicism, who were martyred first by indigenous people, and later by the English, during the years 1549-1715. The cause for their canonization is only now getting underway. [Mary, Queen of the Martyrs]
Guidance in Spiritual Direction is the title of a book, by Msgr. Charles Hugo Doyle, about growing in holiness according to the advice of the saints. The book, written in 1958 and recently republished by Sophia Institute Press and promoted by the FSSP’s online bookshop, “serves as a guide for lay Catholics who want to progress in holiness but have yet to find a spiritual director of their own.” [Guidance in Spiritual Direction]
Saints and Special Observances
Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop and Confessor, was born in the eastern European region of Pannonia around the year 316. His father, a Roman army officer, was transferred to northern Italy when Martin was still a child; and it was there that the boy encountered Christianity and was first drawn to the Faith. As the son of a Roman officer, he was required to enter military service himself at the age of fifteen. Stationed at Amiens, he was approaching the town on horseback one winter day when he saw a poorly clad beggar shivering in the cold outside the city gate. Ignored by the crowd of people passing by, no one stopped to relieve the man’s suffering until Martin, drawing his sword, sliced his cloak down the middle and gave half to the beggar. According to Sulpicius Severus, a friend of the future saint who wrote an early biography, Martin saw Jesus in a dream the following night. Our Lord, surrounded by angels and wearing the half of Martin’s cloak he had given away, invited the young soldier to inspect the riven garment and say if he knew it. Upon doing so, Martin heard Jesus say to the angels, “Martin, as yet only a catechumen, has covered me with his cloak.” Inspired by this vision of Our Lord, Martin hurried to be baptized.
This single act of simple Christian charity is the one thing most people know about Saint Martin, although it came five years before he discerned his true vocation. When he was about twenty, Gaul was invaded by Teutonic tribes; and Martin was moved to address the Emperor Julian as the monarch was distributing bounties to the soldiers preparing to fight the invaders. “Up to now I have served you as a soldier,” Martin told the emperor. “Allow me henceforth to serve Christ.” He suggested his bounty be given to those going into battle, saying, “I am a soldier of Christ and it is not lawful for me to fight.” The emperor, unimpressed by this appeal, had Martin locked up and held in prison until a truce with the Teutonic invaders was negotiated.
Upon his release, Martin made his way to Poitiers, where he was received by the renowned bishop and defender of the Faith, Saint Hilary. The bishop promptly ordained Martin to the diaconate, launching his career in the Church. During a visit to his homeland, where he secured the conversion of his mother and others, Martin became embroiled in the battle against the Arian heresy. His zeal for the true Faith drew the ire of the Arians, who were ascendant in the area, and they had him scourged before driving him away. Returning to Gaul, he found the Aryans had seized control at Poitiers and banished his mentor, Bishop Hilary. When the bishop was restored to his see in 360, he granted Martin’s wish to pursue his religious calling in solitude and gave him a small tract in central France to which he could withdraw. Joined there by other men of like mind, Martin became the head of a community that has been called the fist monastery in France. It survived until 1607 and was reestablished in 1852 by the Benedictines of Solesmes under the leadership of Dom Prosper Guéranger.
Martin spent a decade in this monastic environment before a delegation of bishops arrived with the intention of consecrating him to replace the recently deceased bishop of Tours, Lidorius. He tried unsuccessfully to escape consecration, almost convincing the consecrators that he was unworthy by the poverty of his appearance. Once installed, he launched an aggressive campaign to suppress pagan practices in the vicinity of Tours. Severus reports that on one occasion a pagan mob fell on him in a fury. One man, armed with a sword, was about to strike when Martin turned on him and bared his breast. The pagan stopped in his tracks and fell back terrified, begging forgiveness.
The early biography of Martin by his friend, Severus, records numerous marvelous events which occurred during the period of his episcopacy. The bishop ardently went about the business of destroying pagan temples and felling trees considered sacred that stood near them. Once, after razing a temple, he was preparing to bring down a pine tree that stood nearby when the pagans offered to cut it down themselves on the condition that he would stand under it wherever they ordered. Placing his trust in God, Martin agreed and was bound where the pagans planned to have the tree fall; but when they chopped the tree down it fell in the opposite direction from which they had planned. Severus also included in the story of Martin’s life numerous revelations and visions experienced by the bishop of Tours.
Saint Martin died on November 8, 397 and was buried three days later. Two thousand monks and nuns attended his funeral. His successor as bishop of Tours erected a chapel over his grave, later replaced by a basilica. A still later church destroyed during the French Revolution was also replaced. Fr. Lawrence Daniel Carney III, author of The Secret of the Holy Face, credits Venerable Leo Dupont, the “Holy Man of Tours,” with having recovered the relics of Saint Martin following the revolution. Born in 1797 on Saint Martinique, the Caribbean island named for the saint, Dupont relocated to Tours later in life in order to honor his late wife’s wish that their daughter be educated by the Ursuline nuns in that city. Making his way from church to church, some of which were only ruins left by the revolution, he began seeking information that would lead him to the remains of Saint Martin. Eventually a woman who had been selling vegetables on the street for 25 years was able to identify the exact spot where the saint’s tomb had been before the church above it was torn down by the revolutionists.
Saint Martin was proclaimed the patron of France, and his restored tomb became a national shrine visited by pilgrims from across Europe and throughout the world. The Feast of Saint Martin is celebrated on November 11th, the date of his burial.
Closing Commentary
We offer, in closing, Dom Prosper Guéranger’s commentary on the Gospel for “The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany” from The Liturgical Year. A link to the full text of the commentary on the liturgy for the day follows.
The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany: Gospel
The Kingdom of Heaven, here spoken of by our Lord, is the Church Militant,- the society of them that believe in him. And yet, the field he has tilled with so much care is oversowed with cockle; heresies have crept in, scandals have abounded; are we, on that account, to have misgivings about the foresight of the Master, who knows all things, and without whose permission nothing happens? Far from us be such a thought! He himself tells us that these things must needs be. Man has been gifted with free-will; it is for him to choose between good and evil; but, God will turn all to his own greater glory. Heresies, then, like weeds in a field, may spring up in the Church; but the day must come when they will be uprooted; some of them will wither on the parent-stems, but the whole cockle shall be gathered into bundles to burn. Where are now the heresies that sprang up in the first ages of the Church? And in another hundred years, what will have become of the heresy, which, under the pretentious name of The Reformation, has caused incalculable evil? It is the same with the scandals which rise up within the pale of the Church; - they are a hard trial; but trials must come. The Divine Husbandman wills not that this cockle be torn up, lest the wheat should suffer injury. First of all, the mixture of good and bad is an advantage; it teaches the good not to put their hopes in man, but in God. Then too, the mercy of our Lord is so great, that at times the very cockle is converted, by Divine grace, into wheat. We must, therefore, have patience. But, whereas it is when the men are asleep that the enemy oversows the field with cockle, it behoves us to pray for Pastors, and ask their Divine Master to bless them with that Vigilance, which is the primary condition of the flock being safe, and is so essential a quality in every Bishop, that his very name is, - one who watches.